MARTIN MAWAYA
GWERU—Go-Beer Breweries has revived its long dormant malting plant in a strategic move expected to secure its supply chain, cut production costs and strengthen competitiveness against industry giants in the sector.
For years, the Gweru City Council owned brewer relied on its bigger competitors for sorghum malt a key ingredient in opaque beer production, leaving the company vulnerable to supply disruptions and price pressures whenever the established players prioritised their own high-volume brands.
Northern Region Sales Manager Andrew Kutekwa said the malting plant, once the backbone of Go-Beer’s operations before falling idle, is now 80% complete after extensive restoration works.
“It was once operational but had stopped functioning. We are now at 80 percent completion. What remains are the installation of pumps and a few accessories,” he said.
Kutekwa added that producing sorghum malt in-house would streamline operations, reduce overall production costs and eliminate dependency on external suppliers, giving Go-Beer greater control over product consistency and faster turnaround in meeting market demand.
He also noted that the company prioritises environmental sustainability, saying: “All our packaging is biodegradable.”
The revival of the plant comes at a time the brewer is aggressively expanding its footprint following the successful rollout of its latest opaque beer brand, Shikisha.
Marketing Manager Sam Ganjani said the brand has strengthened the company’s presence across all districts of the Midlands Province and has become a catalyst for Go-Beer’s broader national ambitions.
“We are in all districts of the Midlands Province at the moment, and we’re looking to expand,” he said. “We will begin with Matabeleland South. We are now in Lower Gweru and moving into Nkayi. We are also targeting Chivi and Mhandamabwe in Masvingo, and we’re about to reach Chivhu in Mashonaland East.”
Ganjani said the introduction of new packaging under the Shikisha brand forms part of Go-Beer’s evolving growth strategy, aimed at refreshing its market presence and appealing to younger consumers accustomed to modern, visually engaging products.
He added that the packaging upgrade which includes improved durability and fresher presentation, complements the company’s ongoing visibility campaigns, consumer activations and social-media engagements designed to rebuild brand loyalty.
“Shikisha is more than just a beer; it signals Go-Beer’s renewed commitment to innovation, quality and consumer engagement. We are building brands that resonate with today’s generation,” he said.
With current production at 15 000 litres per day, volumes are expected to rise as Go-Beer strengthens its distribution network and enhances product availability in new markets.
Quality Controller Gracious Magoche assured consumers that the company’s growth drive will not compromise product standards.
“We are committed to ensuring that every batch of beer that reaches the market is tested, certified and meets our quality standards. Our customers deserve the best, and we are dedicated to delivering it,” she said.
The combined push from revamping critical production infrastructure to refreshing brand identity and expanding territory marks a turning point for Go-Beer as it works to reclaim relevance in a competitive opaque beer market.
By reducing reliance on competitors for malt and tightening its production chain, the brewer is positioning itself for sustained growth and long-term stability as it sets its sights on national dominance.
