Modi hits ground running

BUSINESSMAN and Bulawayo South MP, Mr Raj Modi, has bought a brick-moulding machine worth $20 000 to capacitate residents under his constituency as part of his pre-election promises.

The prominent entreprenuer last Friday delivered a financial intelligence lecture to over 50 informal businesspeople, mostly youths, at his Bellevue complex. He said the new machinery would produce about 8 000 bricks every eight-hour shift as part of his empowerment projects running under the Raj Modi Family Trust.

During a site visit at the company premises in Bellevue suburb, he said the pilot project was meant to evaluate the viability of such projects.

Mr Modi said he would consider replicating them in other parts of the city as he expands other community empowerment initiatives.

Speaking during the project site tour, where an earthmover was clearing land for the brick making firm, Mr Modi said that his empowerment projects were for all Bulawayo people and would not be awarded on partisan basis.

"In as much as I may wish for more people to be of the same political orientation as myself, I open these projects to all the people of Bulawayo South and the whole of the city, regardless of political orientation. We may have different opinions when it comes to politics. However, we all want to see our beautiful city developing and that mission must bring us together," said Modi.

"Sound politics is about development and as President Mnangagwa said in his speeches, we must all work hard, unite and rebuild our country. Let us do our bit here in Bulawayo."

A 26-year-old youth from Sizinda suburb, Mr Darlington Dewa, said he benefited from the financial intelligence seminar and saw the world of business in a different perspective.

"It was insightful and I learnt about the importance of financial discipline. I'm looking forward to being considered for the youth fund as I have a business proposal that I'm still perfecting," he said.

Another youth from Bulawayo South, Mr Brian Magaya, said he was excited that a member of the National Assembly had opened opportunities for youths in his area.

"It's exciting and gives us hope as youths that our leaders care about us and are ready to empower us to be leaders in business ourselves. This is no longer the era to wait for handouts so empowerment is key," he said.

Mr Modi said the brick making machine has since left South Africa and was expected in the country this week. He said the machine will be handed over to beneficiaries who already have expertise in brick making, who will work on it on a commission basis and will return the capital over a period of months yet to be agreed upon.