Harare tycoon rebounds from costly SA deal

Zimbabwean businessman Danny Mavura Huruyadzo says he has put behind him a financially draining multi-million-dollar dispute with his former South African business partners and is now repositioning for renewed growth in Zimbabwe.

Huruyadzo, the founder of Hibernic Energy, reached an out-of-court settlement late last year with South Africa-based Cashfields (Pvt) Ltd, concluding a long-standing commercial standoff. The agreement saw Hibernic Energy part with US$65 million, which Huruyadzo described as "a necessary sacrifice" to safeguard the remainder of his investments and refocus on new ventures at home.

The dispute arose after a once-fruitful partnership in South Africa soured when Huruyadzo relocated to Zimbabwe to pursue fresh opportunities. His former associates reportedly sought a share of the US$150 million he had generated over years of operations across southern Africa, creating a tense environment that threatened his expansion plans in Zimbabwe.

Speaking yesterday, Huruyadzo said he had deliberately chosen to focus on the future rather than dwell on past setbacks.

"I have put the setback behind me. It was a painful experience, but it taught me resilience. What matters now is that I am rebuilding, and the environment created by the Second Republic has given me the confidence to restart on a clean slate," he said.

Huruyadzo credited ongoing economic reforms, regulatory stability, and investor-friendly policies for enabling him to revive and accelerate new business projects, particularly in energy and infrastructure. He noted that the government's focus on ease of doing business and support for indigenous entrepreneurs had opened fresh opportunities.

"Zimbabwe is moving in a positive direction. The policies being implemented are encouraging serious businesspeople to invest. I am one of those who have chosen to commit fully to contributing to national development," he said.

With the dispute now resolved, Huruyadzo said he was concentrating on expanding Hibernic Energy's local footprint while exploring ventures in renewable energy, fuel distribution, and logistics — sectors he believes align with the Second Republic's economic vision.

"This is a new chapter. I am determined to build stronger, transparent, and future-oriented business ventures that support Zimbabwe's economic transformation," he said.

As he embarks on what he calls his "second rise," Huruyadzo maintains that the turbulence in South Africa will remain a lesson, but not a limitation, in his renewed business journey.