Buy Zimbabwe has urged political parties contesting this year’s harmonized elections to procure their campaign material locally and support local suppliers to create jobs for the country.
Speaking to 263Chat on the sidelines of the just ended 8th Buy local summit held in Gweru last week, Buy Zimbabwe Chief Executive Officer Munyaradzi Hwengwere called on political parties to speak about buying local as an idea through their manifestos.
“Elections period in any country is a very interesting period because two things are involved, firstly ideas are sold and monies are spent and we are saying let political parties speak about buying local as an idea because they all have manifestos,” he said.
Hwengwere added that political parties should spend their money in a way that creates jobs locally.
“Secondly they spend a lot of money by wearing a lot of regalia and we are saying can that money be spent in ways that ensures that we create jobs locally.
“Can they buy local because there are indications that political parties are just buying without consciousness on the need to support local industry.
“So we want them to make a pledge that they will buy local t-shirts,caps and use local suppliers in whatever they do because they can not say they want to create jobs and yet you have an opportunity to demonstrate by own deeds and create jobs,” he added.
Unconfirmed reports indicate that the ruling Zanu PF party procured millions of T-shirts, caps and many other campaign regalia from China.
