Lovemore Chazingwa
KADOMA-A group of proactive upcoming businesspeople have teamed up to create a lobby group to advance the economic interests for the indigenous people.
The advocacy group is called, Hupfumi Hwedu Indigenous Resources Association (HHIRA), aimed at advancing the participation of indigenous Zimbabweans in all facets of the national economy.
The underlying mission of HHIRA is premised on advocating for systemic change, influence policy, facilitate lawfully organized and commercially viable participation of indigenous Zimbabweans in all sectors of the economy, including those within the reserved bracket.
HHIRA’s work is grounded on Section 14 of the supreme law of the land, which obliges the State to promote economic empowerment and advance affirmative action.
Bouyed by the vision to see an economically empowered indigenous people, HHIRA has said that it is geared to propagate a community that owns, controls and benefits from the strategic national resources and reserved sectors of the economy.
In the same vein, the proactive association is angled to transform the roll out of economic opportunities so that they should not benefit a privileged few but the majority without discrimination.
Founding chairperson Nyasha Munangwa, explains the association’s founding thrust thus: “Our major thrust is to facilitate and push for the participation of all Zimbabweans in the mainstream economy. We will not rest until that goal is achieved.”
In its view, HHIRA postulates that Zimbabweans deserve a fair opportunity to participate in wealth creation across all economic sectors.
According to the organization, communities must move from being spectators to active stakeholders in the national economy.
“HHIRA is committed to the empowerment and development of our people in every sector that builds our nation. Whether your choice lies in mining, transport, agriculture, entrepreneurship or any other sector, this is a chance to make your informed choice. We invite you to step forward and take advantage of our empowerment programs designed to strengthen skills, expand access to resources and create sustainable growth for individuals and communities alike.”
The Government has demonstrated seriousness in empowering and championing the socio-economic advancement of its citizenry through legislative Acts and Instruments. These include, the Indigenization and Economic Empowerment Act [Chapter 14:33] and a recently activated indigenous empowerment mechanism, Statutory Instrument 215 of 2025. Government, after concerted research has come up with the much celebrated, Indigenization and Economic Empowerment (Foreign Participation in Reserved Sector) Regulations, 2025.
The association is reading and gets historical inspiration from like-minded, pioneering affirmative action organizations that shaped the empowerment platforms for locals like the Indigenous Business Development Centre (IBDC), Affirmative Action Group (AAG), Indigenous Business Women’s Organization (IBWO) and Economic Empowerment Group (EEG) to mention just four.
One of the foremost policies promulgated by Government in ensuring that the mining sector directly benefits indigenous Zimbabweans pans out in the form of, The Ministry of Mines’ policy reserving small-to-medium-scale mining for indigenous Zimbabweans.
The association has not limited or restricted membership as all backgrounds and persuasions are welcome. Those who can be a part of the visionary association include but are not limited to farmers, transporters, miners, traders, entrepreneurs, students, women, youth, business associations, trusts, co-operatives, community organizations, professionals and artisans among all other progressive minds of the economy.
As a forward looking association, the empowerment grouping is poised to utilize all other applicable Government policies and regulations in promoting indigenous economic participation, patent for all to see. The association is committed to leverage on that platform that HHIRA is so as to empower, advocate and uplift indigenous Zimbabweans from their various backgrounds.
