TINASHE MAKICHI
He grew up aspiring to be a medical doctor.
But, Costar Takawira, (pictured) the chief executive officer of Baldmin Holdings, a leading engineering firm in Zimbabwe with operations within the SADC region Africa, ended up being a chemical engineer by default.
“So engineering was by default, but it later opened more doors for me. I later obtained my CEng qualifications with the UK City and Guilds when I was at Lonrho,” he said.
After high school, Takawira joined the Zimbabwe Republic Police and Lonrho Zimbabwe.
The executive later joined Shabanie Mine as a mechanical Technician after completing his graduate learnership with Lonrho Zimbabwe.
Takawira, who holds a class one journeyman certificate as a fitter machinist in addition to a National Diploma in mechanical engineering from Harare Polytechnic and T5 City & Guilds in Applied Mechanical engineering went on to work for AA mines corporate office as a procurement engineer.
He was later headhunted by Manhattan Process Plants, in South Africa, where he worked as senior projects engineer.
He later joined South Africa’s power utility, Eskom as a Projects and Procurement Coordinator (Engineer).
He worked for Eskom up to 2013 until his friend Massumo Giannacaro invited him to join his company Baldmin projects as a Technical and Regional sales Engineer.
Initially, Takawira turned down the offer. Giannacaro later offered him a position as partner provided that turnover was above set targets.
He took the opportunity and later it translated into a solid partnership where he ended up forming Baldmin Projects in 2017 from Baldmin South Africa.
In 2014, he opened an office in Eastlea, Harare before moving offices to Belvedere Square.
Baldmin Projects has to date done projects in Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mali, Iran, China, and South Africa among others.
Baldmin recently opened a new office in Lubumbashi, DRC and hopes to expand the business beyond borders.
Currently, the company employs over 100 people across the three regions.
South Africa encompasses the heavy engineering workshops and that’s where the core team of Mechanical, Electrical, Process, Civil and Design engineers is based.
Takawira’s philosophy in life is building a learning culture and promotes employees engagement without fear.
“Our industry needs this kind of approach but especially in the mining technology area where the market is continually growing and changing, and there’s enough opportunity for people to try new things, make mistakes, and learn and develop,” he said.
Takawira added: “I am a firm believer of giving back to the community, building a culture that embraces teamwork and a sense of collective ownership.
“This is created by having transparency and honesty leadership, communicating a strong vision, and providing clear-cut goals with understandable metrics.
“When employees share a common purpose, they feel emotionally invested in the team and a sense of ownership in the organisation hence creating a better foundation of success or growth.
“Last but not least I always put God first in all I do.
The best leadership advice I can give is to surround yourself with the right people and empower your internal leaders including young talent identification.
My motto is “Kudenga kuna Mwari hazvirambe zvakadaro, Inyasha chete that will take us far”
Takawira is an avid reader.
“Currently I am reading A Promised land by Barack Obama. I read the Bible most of the time and a few marriage counselling books since I am a trainee Apostle,” he said.
The other books he has read include The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene, a number of executive leadership books, Harvard business reviews and some motivational books.
Takawira grew up in a rural set up in Murehwa and attended primary at Chemhondoro Primary School before coming to Harare.
He said he has always been guided by the principle of hard work and worship to the almighty Lord.
He said he used to travel close to 15km daily to go to school.
To a greater extent, Takawira said, that made him a great athlete which became one of his key salvation to better education in the future.
It was through athletics that in Grade 4, Takawira was identified by an Allan Wilson Technical Boys High that saw him win all events at number 7 ground in Mbare at an event that was sponsored by the Chiwese brothers.
“I remember Gift Chigwere (the teacher) telling me that I had lots of talent and he wanted me to attend high school at Allan Wilson after my Grade Seven and he even came to my parents place to deliver the news to them.
“That’s grace and God was opening doors for me, the young man from Murehwa whose parents were peasant farmers.
“In 1987 I later joined Allan and met my dear brother Phillimon Hanneck (Harineki) who was coming from Rakodzi in Marondera,” Takawira said.
“We represented the school at major events including the country where I was a sprinter specialising in 400m, 200m, 4x100m and 4 x 400m events including cross country, whereas Harineki was more on the long-distance events.
“When Gift left I was trained by Robert Mutsauki at All-stars where I was with Kenneth Harden, Tawanda Chiwira, and Felix Kamangira including Zvikomborero Makuto,” he added.
They were awarded scholarships to go to the United States and he was offered places at Idaho, Georgia State University and LSU where Arnold Pyne and Hillary Mawhindi were but did not manage to join them.
The executive said today Baldmin Holdings has several divisions.
“As the founding member and CEO of Baldmin Holdings I want the group to grow from strength to strength and make sure we contribute to the economy of Zimbabwe including creating employment.”
To date, Takawira has managed to be chief executive for Baldmin Holdings, managing director for Baldmin Projects SA, Zimbabwe and DRC, engineering director for Sabi Gold mine, director Baldmin mining and is also a board member for various companies in Zimbabwe.
Takawira has a passion for giving back to disadvantaged communities as a way of thanking the Lord for what he has done in his life.
Under Takawira, Mangwende Foundation whose theme is “Educate the Girl child and empower the Nation”, the foundation has to date paid school fees for a number of students in South Africa and Zimbabwe from primary school all the way to university including sending athletes on sports Scholarship to American universities with the help of Hanneck.
“This year five athletes will be going to America to join various installations through the same foundation.
“Yearly, we sponsor the Shabanie Mine athletics championship including funding Shabanie Mine Football club.
“Recently with the help of Phil, we have started a centre of excellence at Allan Wilson where we pay fees for athletes from disadvantaged families and after high school we will send them to the USA to further their studies.
“More American universities are contacting me for more athletes from Zimbabwe after one of beneficiaries Bradley Makuvire scooped most of the prizes in the previous and current Athletics season,” Takawira said.
