Angela Nothando Mlotshwa
Environmental and Health Reporter
The Bulawayo Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises Center located along Josiah Chinamano road in the City’s industrial sites is home to several indigenous entrepreneurs.
The complex accommodates over sixty small to medium enterprises who occupy cubicles that are divided by small rhino board walls. These entrepreneurs are working against all odds to try and make a living but they are claiming that rentals and other taxes are frustrating them.
“Rentals were affordable soon after the renovations but hiked by 100% to 140us$ and it is now out of reach.” Said
Williams Mugwagwa a tailor in the building.
“They don’t accept RTGS and Eco-cash, they are demanding US$ from us. They are now even closing these small rooms because of piling credits. And the worst situation is they charge interest. Some of our orders are paid through banks and for us to go and buy US$ their rates are low so we end up having nothing.” Said one of the SMEs tailors.
“There is only one exit which is hardly marked, no indication for in case of emergencies. There is no air ventilation, no places for triggering alarms and there is poor lighting. We tried to even engage Bulawayo City council in providing bins for off cuts and other dirty, but surprisingly nothing was done”, said Mugwagwa.
Our source also told us that there was a possibility of a fire breaking out last year because of the issues with the wiring.
The place was one time closed due to its wiring which took a life. The place seems to have an advanced and divided room with rhino boards from that time but still, tailors are at risk of electrocution due to the wiring system which was carried out.
ZIM GBC NEWS engaged with the Small and Medium Enterprises Center Program Coordinator Nketha Mangoye Dlamini.
“In terms of ventilation we still have errors which we need to improve”, said Dlamini.
“For fire extinguishers, I think we could have about five or more but those responsible for servicing them are not available at the moment”, he said.
Dlamini also added that as for rentals, it’s because the tailors do not plan their financials well and therefore they will consider having a consultative meeting with these tailors to assist each other in terms of these rentals.
The Bulawayo Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) center was launched in an effort to transform formalize the informal sector.