By Dennis Ndlovu | Zim GBC News
As the school bell prepares to ring once again, the city of Bulawayo is abuzz with the energy of back-to-school preparations. From bustling shopfronts to crowded commuter ranks, the economic wheels are turning and fast.
With schools set to reopen, parents, guardians, and students have flooded the c
Central Business District in a last-minute rush to secure everything from groceries to uniforms and stationery. While this seasonal routine may feel familiar, its economic impact continues to grow, fueling trade and breathing life into multiple sectors of the City’s informal and formal economy.
At the heart of this wave is a surge in consumer spending. Retail outlets, particularly those selling school-related products, are reporting a significant uptick in sales.
MaMhlanga, a shopkeeper at Bulawayo Bookshop, couldn’t hide her enthusiasm.
“The back-to-school season is a big deal for our business. We sell a lot more during this time about 20 to 30 percent more than usual. People mainly buy school supplies like books, pens, backpacks, uniforms, and shoes. It’s our busiest period,” she said.
The ripple effect is also being felt in the food industry. Restaurants, food stalls, and cafés located near transport ranks and shopping centers have become hot spots for students waiting for buses, parents taking a break from shopping, and even transport operators.
“We see many students coming in to grab a quick snack or drink while waiting for their buses. It’s not just good for our daily sales it helps us plan better for stock during school opening seasons,” said Talent Moyo, a café assistant near TM Pick n Pay Hyper.
The transport sector is riding its own wave of demand. Bus companies, especially those contracted by boarding schools, are recording increased bookings. But while transport operators count their gains, parents are feeling the squeeze.
Helen Mangena, a mother of two, expressed her concerns;
“When schools open, I get worried. Everything becomes more expensive groceries, stationery, transport. It’s really tough, especially if you’re managing more than one child. Even small fare hikes hit us hard.”
Adding to the burden, some schools are enforcing policies that require students to produce receipts as proof of fee payment before being allowed into class.
“It’s frustrating,” Helen added.
“Sometimes you haven’t even finished paying, but your child can’t attend class. They don’t consider that we’re trying our best.”
Despite the challenges, the reopening of schools has a silver lining, it boosts the local economy and creates seasonal employment. Vendors and informal traders are thriving by meeting the immediate needs of parents and students.
Precious Sibanda, an informal trader operating near Egodini, shared how she’s tailored her business around the school calendar.
“This is what I sell this time school shoes, socks, and supplies like pens and rulers. I make the most sales just before schools open. It helps me pay rent and buy food,” she said.
For students, the back-to-school season is a mix of excitement and anticipation.
“When schools open, I become extremely happy because I know my mother will buy me groceries and a new uniform,” said a JZ Moyo boarding student, grinning.
“It’s so exciting.”
As schools reopen, Bulawayo not only sees classrooms filled once more it also sees markets thriving, businesses buzzing, and livelihoods being sustained. For many, it’s more than just a new term; it’s a fresh start for the local economy.
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