Zimbabweans in SA propose to form chamber of commerce
By Tichaona Sibanda
27 November 2006

Zimbabwe’s immigrant population in South Africa has resolved to form a chamber of commerce, an association of businesses that will help them promote their business interests in that country.

This is one of the key resolutions adopted during the annual general meeting of Zimbabwe’s civic society organisations (CSO’s) held in Johannesburg on Saturday.

Solomon Chikohwero, vice chairman of the CSO’s said, the group also agreed that it was high time South African authorities appreciated the contribution of Zimbabweans towards their country’s economic boom.

‘We are called all sorts of names ranging from asylum seekers to refugees and worse, violent criminals. But the fact remains that Zimbabweans have played a very big role in the way the economy has prospered in this country. So by putting our minds together we will be working towards achieving the same in our country,’ Chikohwero said.

As a result of that, added Chikohwero, it was decided Zimbabweans in South Africa should come up with a voluntary association whose membership will comprise companies, civic leaders, and individual business people.

‘With such a body we are laying the foundations to kick-start Zimbabwe’s economy once the situation allows us to do so. The objective of coming up with such a body is to implement a marketing plan that promotes our community’s economic environment and image and that stimulates quality business development and investment by existing Zimbabwean owned firms as well as new commercial and entrepreneurial ventures,’ said Chikohwero.

Twenty two affiliates of the CSO’s attended Saturday’s meeting at which a humanitarian committee headed by Chikohwero was put in place to look at the concerns of thousands of Zimbabwean refugees in South Africa. The meeting, at the Holy Trinity church in Braamfontein proposed that the committee work with the relevant authorities to see how best a solution could be found concerning the refugee crisis.