Bulls n Bears Entrepreneurship Zone :: The journey so far: Simbarashe Mhuriro, MD, Oxygen Africa

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Simbarashe Mhuriro is the founder and MD of Oxygen Africa, a Zimbabwean
renewable energy development company focused on commercial and industrial
rooftop solar photovoltaic projects, with interests in precious metals, ICT
and agriculture.

1. Tell us about one of the toughest situations you’ve found yourself in as
a business owner.

We are dealing with situations whereby counterparties to agreements behave
in an unethical manner and negotiate in bad faith. We are still working on
how we will overcome this challenge.

2. Which business achievement are you most proud of?

Three things, really, that happened in 2018: becoming a member of the World
Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Entrepreneurship for 2018-2019 and
the Shared Value Africa Initiative’s Africa Council of 8. We also got a
letter of recognition from the UN Climate Change secretariat’s Momentum for
Change initiative.

Momentum for Change is an initiative spearheaded by the UN Climate Change
secretariat to shine a light on the enormous groundswell of activities
underway across the globe that are moving the world toward a highly
resilient, low-carbon future. Momentum for Change recognises innovative and
transformative solutions that address both climate change and wider
economic, social and environmental challenges.

3. Describe your greatest weakness as an entrepreneur.

I am impatient at times, so I usually turn to my two partners for wisdom
and guidance. The youngest is 18 years older than me, so between them they
have seen and experienced a lot.

4. Which popular entrepreneurial advice do you disagree with?

Dressing for success, and looking the part if you want to be successful.

I say be presentable, but don’t go out of your way trying to look like a
million dollars when you don’t have the money. You may inadvertently give
off the wrong image. Imagine asking a potential investor for US$100,000 when
you have pulled up in $120,000 worth of gear and transport because you want
to project an image.

5. Is there anything you wish you knew about entrepreneurship before you
got started?

How hard it would be: I lost my first business and, with it, everything I
owned. I have been on the brink of suicide, battled depression, addiction to
pain killers and insomnia.

6. Name a business opportunity you would still like to pursue.

Drone rental services to infrastructure, agricultural or construction
projects, so that governments, banks, investors, project promoters and so
forth can report on the progress of projects in real time without the need
to go to site.

The journey so far’ series is edited by Wilhelmina Maboja, with copy
editing by Xolisa Phillip, and content production by Justin Probyn and Nelly
Murungi.-Howwemadeitinafrica 



Simbarashe Mhuriro

 

 

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