When Covid-19 struck Zimbabwe in 2020, triggering a nationwide lockdown, Marlvin Chieza discovered himself returning to his rural dwelling, seemingly with no clear future. But amidst this uncertainty, a possibility offered itself by the abundance of apples scattered round his locality. This commentary sowed the seeds for what would develop into Nyanga Craft Cider, Chieza’s rising enterprise that turns native apples right into a sought-after beverage.
For somebody who solely started his enterprise throughout the Covid lockdown, Marlvin Chieza definitely doesn’t lack ambition.
“My future objective is to get financing lending in order that we will make numerous merchandise in order that they are often present in each space of Zimbabwe and Africa earlier than extending globally,” stated the entrepreneur, whose enterprise has gained significant traction in lower than 4 years.
“I used to be a rural boy till I acquired a possibility from this enterprise, and now I dwell in Harare, the enterprise generates 1000’s of {dollars} month-to-month, and our merchandise vary in value from 1 greenback 75 cents to 30 US {dollars}. The vast majority of our shoppers are native neighbourhood lodges, eating places, bars, and vacationers,” Chieza defined.
Whereas Covid was powerful for all enterprise homeowners, it did supply alternatives for some budding entrepreneurs looking out for alternatives. Chieza was one.
When he went again dwelling to Nyanga, in japanese Zimbabwe, throughout the nation’s first lockdown, he noticed the chance that was to rework his life.
“In my rural space, the place is within the mountains, and the temperature is at all times cool, which is why they name it mini-England. Nyanga is dwelling to fruit timber comparable to apples, grapes, and lots of extra,” Chieza shared.
The concept to show the fruit into cider took root as Chieza waited out the lockdown.
“I may see many fallen apples on the bottom in quite a few plots whereas there was a excessive demand for ciders as bars, outlets, and eating places have been closed, and that day I can pretty say Nyanga ciders was created,” he defined.
Previous to the pandemic, Chieza labored for the Rusape municipal council, in japanese Zimbabwe.
“When the Zimbabwean authorities imposed mobility restrictions because of the pandemic in 2020, I had no selection however to return to my rural location in Nyanga,” he stated.
“I invited a good friend of mine with a background within the meals enterprise to work with me. We used 2,000 [US] {dollars} to begin. We had to purchase bottles and the few inputs wanted to kick-start our enterprise, and right this moment Nyanga Craft Cider has penetrated Zimbabwe and vacationers from South Africa and the Netherlands order our drinks.”
Chieza capitalised on the sources out there to him. “Entrepreneurship begins with what you’ve. Often, the sources in your rapid environment can function a bridge to the enterprise world. Through the epidemic, I took an interest within the cider trade and took benefit of the abundance of apples in my group,” he highlighted.
Nyanga Craft Cider was a finalist within the Eagles’ Nest Youth Export Incubation Programme, an initiative by ZimTrade, the nationwide commerce growth and promotion organisation. The initiative goals to help new exporters by offering them with entry to mentorship alternatives, an idea-pitching platform, and operational help.
“Our neighbourhood attracts guests from all all over the world. A gentleman from South Africa got here for tourism and shared Nyanga Craft Cider’s story throughout the web,” Chieza stated. The vacationer then went a step additional and helped Chieza with a dream studying alternative.
“He assisted me in connecting with a cider guru from the Netherlands, who sponsored me for a cider-making course in America in 2021. This course supplied options to all of my questions that arose throughout my dwelling fermentations. It supplied me with the chance to study from cider trade specialists and work together with different cider producers and cider makers who we don’t have in Zimbabwe,” Chieza disclosed.
“The cider enterprise has turned my life round, and the demand for our merchandise is so excessive that we’re overwhelmed,” he famous.
At present, Nyanga Craft Cider employs 5 everlasting and ten non permanent staff.
Chieza’s firm has additionally supplied Nyanga farmers with a possibility to earn earnings from their fruit timber.
Regardless of the preliminary challenges of a brand new enterprise, Chieza has his sights set excessive. His objective is to be a significant participant within the cider market, not solely in Zimbabwe however throughout Africa and even internationally.
/ Hen Story Company