In the heart of Zimbabwe’s Mashonaland West province lies the thriving farming town of Karoi, where the golden leaf, tobacco, not only fuels the economy but also shapes the destiny of its communities. However, as profits soar, a palpable concern has emerged—tobacco companies neglecting their corporate social responsibilities. The stakeholders of Karoi have spoken, urging these lucrative entities to give back to the very communities that contribute to the success of one of the nation’s top foreign currency earners.
The Plea for Partnership
During a recent community engagement meeting organized by the Pastors Fraternity and Hurungwe Community Radio, supported by the Media Centre, voices rose to address the conspicuous absence of corporate social responsibility from tobacco companies. Trymore Chinembiri, Chairperson of the Karoi Urban Residents Association, lamented the lack of tangible development in the town despite the seasonal influx of these tobacco giants.
Chinembiri asserted, “The tobacco companies flock to Karoi during the tobacco season, but there is nothing tangible on the development of our town. None of them are paying back to the communities in terms of development, and it is shameful.” The call for action extends to the Karoi Town Council, urging them to rectify the “poor business approach” of tobacco companies.
Concrete Proposals for Community Development
Chinembiri’s appeal is clear: it’s time for tobacco companies to invest in the communities that fuel their prosperity. He envisions local initiatives such as the construction of public toilets, donation of bins for waste management, and the installation of solar-powered boreholes in the central business district.
Council chairperson Kudakwashe Chigumo echoed the sentiments, emphasizing the urgency for a collaborative effort to lift Karoi out of its current status of neglect. Chigumo urged, “We need to work together to achieve it with tobacco companies playing their role.” He proposed engaging the Tobacco Industry Marketing Board (TIMB) to establish an industrial park for all tobacco companies and stressed the importance of these companies contributing to the betterment of living standards in the region.
Media Center’s Perspective: A Call for Accountability
Enerst Mudzengi, director of the Media Centre, applauded the community engagement platforms, emphasizing their role in fostering accountability. “Every community has challenges and solutions. We hope these meetings will be done regularly, with duty bearers so that they are accountable,” Mudzengi stated. This sets the stage for a sustained dialogue between the communities and the entities responsible for their well-being.
Green Initiatives: A Path to Sustainability
George Seremwe, president of the Zimbabwe Tobacco Growers Association, acknowledged the environmental concerns associated with tobacco cultivation. He disclosed plans for environmentally conscious initiatives, including coal use at a reduced cost for farmers and the rehabilitation of forests. Seremwe underscored the need for tobacco companies to be accountable, urging them to embrace corporate social responsibility that fosters development in the communities they operate.
The Economic Powerhouse: A Call to Responsibility
As tobacco exports from Zimbabwe reached an impressive 153 million kg, generating over US$758 million, the urgency for accountability and community investment has never been more pressing. The statistics underscore Zimbabwe’s significance as the largest grower of tobacco in Africa and the sixth-largest globally.
In conclusion, the stakeholders of Karoi are not merely asking for charity; they are calling for a partnership—a collaboration between the economic giants and the communities that drive their success. The time has come for tobacco companies to recognize their role in shaping the destiny of Karoi and to invest in a future that is not only prosperous for them but for the entire community. It’s a shared journey towards sustainable growth, and the call to action resonates: Let prosperity be cultivated, not just harvested.
