DSE News Network
This week the highlight of the Construction Page on the DSE News Network – is the interview which Barmlo Construction founder and CEO Banabasi Marambire conducted on the Kundai Chitima Youtube page.
Titled Nyaya Yema Sabhuku Deals – Marambire fielded questions and explained the many scenarios which people in Zimbabwe are increasingly finding themselves in – and the many entry points (and exits) which define what is now collectively known as Sabhuku Deals.
Marambire said while no single sabhuku deal was the same as the other – many people were finding themselves in tight corners after having been “given” land by headmen and kraal heads – only to find that the state would be having interests in the same land.
“Remember that all land in Zimbabwe belongs to the state, and that is the law.
“Someone may find that they were “given” land by a Sabhuku – only to find out later that the government was planning a mining venture on the same land, or the land was designated as municipal land or grazing land.
“So what is important is that people must do all their due diligence when acquiring land – and go to all the offices, municipalities, government bodies and local authorities and inquire as to who owns what piece of land, and whether the land has been zoned for any future developments.”
“Some people are given land by Sabhuku – and only for the children of the original landowner to come back years later and evict the new tenants,” said Marambire.
He said that the advantage of doing land acquisition and building with Barmlo Construction – is that before Barmlo starts any new work with clients, they take time to visit the local Sabhuku to verify that the land and structures that they were building – are infact allowed.
“Before we went to Nyazura to build for the Nyathi family for instance – our first stop was the local Sabhuku, where we announced ourselves, and informed them about what we are doing. We explained who we are and we inquired if we were allowed to proceed with what we were planning on doing, and we were given the green light,” Marambire said.
In the wide-ranging interview Marambire unpacked the Barmlo Construction mission plan and vision for the construction company, which is now boasting big investments in plant and equipment, and has expanded its retail offerings to cement, doors and window frames, and a range of building materials supplies.
He discussed at length the process of verifying deeds, offer letters, the different categories of land ownership in Zimbabwe and the current laws governing new buildings and conveyancing.
He added that Barmlo has revolutionised the concept of home ownership for Zimbabweans, and it’s pay-as-you-go model has attracted wide interest from Zimbabweans and especially those living in the diaspora.
Marambire emphasised that Barmlo’s business model did not prioritise money up-front and infact some people’s projects were build on an easy to manage money-availability-programme – with some customers taking breaks of between six to 12 months in between progress on their construction projects, and raising the money in a pay-as-you-go arrangement.
Marambire said that the concept of cluster houses offering for Barmlo Construction was premised on lifestyle living – where one could easily import the urban style of living – to the villages and rural areas.
He said that Barmlo had diversified into construction of schools, churches and commercial premises, and at the same time it’s product offering had expanded to include both urban and rural dwellings.
Your Happiness Is Our Pride.
Check out the full interview with Barmlo Construction and Kundai Chitima on Youtube (link below).
