“It all began when I was at Hamilton High school,” he told The Zimbabwean. “When I was 12-years-old I started selling sweets to fellow students. It wasn’t easy as other students kept laughing at me. However, teachers always tipped me as an aspiring business personality.
“After completing my ordinary studies I came to South Africa where opportunities were abundant. In 2004, I ventured into the construction industry where I set-up Gauteng Construction company. It specialises in building renovations, building maintenance, alterations, tiling and plumbing. I had gained experience from my profession as a construction worker despite the fact that I didn’t have any formal qualifications in construction. I only managed to get qualifications after establishing my company. This was a stepping-stone for me,” added Moyo who has 15 Zimbabwean and South African employees under his wing.
Stiff competition in the construction industry and red tape rules in SA has frustrated Moyo’s business plans.
“There are a lot of companies in the construction industry. It becomes difficult to get tenders or jobs, even when you have all the required documents. You have to go the extra mile to get jobs for your company.
“I always strive to make sure that my employees have something to do as they are family bread winners. We are not yet on the level I want the company to be. In future I want us to be a leading construction company in Africa. It frustrates me to see our government back at home giving tenders to foreign companies whilst we can do construction jobs. If you look at what is happening now in Plumtree to Mutare road project, Group 4, a South African company, was issued with a tender ahead of local companies. That is very bad. What frustrates me is that here we are not given those opportunities by SA government ahead of local people,” Moyo said.
The brave businessman is already eyeing up the opportunities back home.
“I am looking forward to beginning operations in Zimbabwe no later than June 2013. I intend to build proper houses for our people in Bubi Mguza where housing is presently appalling. This will also help relieve pressure in the government which is struggling to meet people’s demands in the housing sector.”
Through the Kungwiwi Amalgamated Workers Union project, Moyo has represented more than 20 000 people in Labour courts, CCMA and bargaining counselling since 2001.
“After seeing the exploitation of Zimbabweans here, I joined with two other SA citizens and set up KAWU. We have fought and won many cases against companies taking advantage of desperate people. In our last audit we discovered that we have reached more than 20 000 people.”
Moyo has also worked hard to fight unemployment, drug abuse and alcohol dependency among youths in SA and Zimbabwe.
“I established my team called Bubi Mguza which is playing in the second division in Mat North. The team is named after our constituency with the aim of fighting unemployment among our youths. We have 40 youths participating in the every day activities of the team.”
Post published in: News