Based on the simple premise that the more human heads come together, the more they can achieve for their native communities, Richard Chingombe and George Chigundeni of RC. Microsystems Inc., in Indianapolis, conceived the idea of an Annual Zimbabwean Business Convention and Exposition (AZBC & E).
On Saturday at the Marriott in Indianapolis, AZBC & E was launched before a crowd of about 700 enthusiastic Zimbabwean businessmen and women delegates from throughout the United States.
A national committee was formed with a mandate to draw up a charter that will provide a "compass" for direction of all their activities.
Two Zimbabwe-based businessmen, Supa Mandiwanzira and Michael Humbani attended the launching of this historic organization. AZBC & E intentionally will focus like a laser on empowering Zimbabweans in the United States and those in Zimbabwe to share ideas, learning from each other, exhibiting products and services and networking.
In his keynote address to the Zimbabwean business delegates, Michael Chinyamurindi, a Zimbabwean actor working in film, television, theater, and commercials in Los Angeles, challenged the U.S.-based Zimbabweans to embrace the opportunities bestowed on them and make good use for the benefit of Zimbabwe, which is currently suffering from the throes of a deep recession.
Invoking the image of the biblical Joseph who was "assigned" before time to Egypt so that he could help his own kith and kin in times of crisis, Chinyamurindi urged Zimbabweans to do more than feed their own families.
"How can Zimbabweans overseas influence economic and social events in their motherland?" Chinyamurindi asked. "Always be on the hunt for kindred spirit and shun petty ethnic politics."
Chinyamurindi is a spontaneous speaker. He drew laughter from the delegates by sprinkling his speech with modern-coined shona proverbs. With charisma and magnetism, Chinyamurindi was able to set the bar for AZBC & E. "Squash any 'isms' borrowed from the divisionist mentality."
It was quite palpable in the room that a crusading business organization had been born with the enthusiasm that permeated the atmosphere at the venue of the event.
Speaker after the speaker talked about the time being ripe for Zimbabweans to help mend the economic fractures in their country. They urged delegates to stop in their tracks and cast fears away.
"What held me back, I always asked myself," said Regis Spandla, a senior accountant at Marriott International in Washington D.C. "I was probably afraid of making a mistake, or that I would fail. I would say that the only failure, which lacks dignity, is the failure to try."
There was a convergence of opinions with regard to the self-serving of the "Beentos" in Zimbabwe's business history. Beentos are people who have "been to" the developed world but contribute nothing to the well-being of their communities.
This self-serving role by Beentos had been a nagging scar on the U.S.-based Zimbabwean conscience. The launching of AZBC & E put the world on notice that U.S.-based Zimbabweans are tired of national development rhetoric but want action.
The reviews from delegates ran the gamut from awesome to impassioned.
"This is a brilliant initiative, and it is exciting to see the spirit of togetherness and wanting to share experiences and advising each other in terms of business and personal finance," said Supa Mandiwanzira, of African Business Communications, which operates in Zimbabwe. "The event serves to conscientize U.S.-based Zimbabweans that they have a responsibility to find ways of investing in Zimbabwe."
There was a general agreement that the platform created by AZBC & E gave businessmen and women opportunities to trawl for insights and benefit from the synergy of their organization.
Write to Weston at wmudambanuki@bsu.edu
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