Mutare a world class city by 2030

Push for an enabling business operating environment in and around Manicaland province in Zimbabwe.

To provide commercial ventures of all sizes in Manicaland with the high level of legal and economic advice that will create an enabling environment for all businesses to thrive.

Commercial Federation of Manicaland Trust (referred as CFMT) was created with the primary purpose of engaging with the key decision makers in Municipalities and Ministry of Local Government to deal with pertinent business matters. CFMT also has a mandate and responsibility of engaging and bringing to the table key investors interested in reinvest in many of the factories that have once closed. Ultimately our Mission is to create an enabling environment for businesses in Manicaland.

The trust is completely apolitical. Plans are in place to even create a platform for all political parties to present their manifestos for the future elections. The trust will furthermore, sponsor debates between the representatives of each party with the aim of getting an understanding on how they intend to promote businesses in case they won the elections.

The vision of CFMT is to see Manicaland visible on the world map. Mutare must be the economic hub of Zimbabwe. The province is rich with both natural and intellectual resources. Its strategic position also is one other major advantage.

The organization's mission is to advance and protect the interests of Manicaland's business community by engaging in the following:

• Ensuring that the Municipalities and Local government adhere to the rule of law and just administration of justice,
• To contribute to the planning and coordination of the development of Manicaland's industries and Agri-processing,
• Pursue grant funding from development aid agencies to help municipalities and local governments improve their managerial and organisational capacity.

The genesis of the organization originated from the realization numerous that the local pressure groups that were established to confront the irrational Rates and Tax increase imposed by the City of Mutare Municipality, none have as their Mission, the promotion of the business community as a focal point. A group of concerned rate payers driven by concerned citizens of Mutare who was part of the Task Team to challenge the increases imposed by the Mutare Municipality.

JOHN NIKOLAOS CATSICAS

Founder/Trustee

John is a Qualified Professional Accountant and is involved in Corporate Finance in both South Africa and Zimbabwe. He is an expert in Corporation Law and has been involved in dealing with large legal matters in the High Court. His late uncle, Dimitri Catsicas was a Mayor for 5 years and was instrumental for the development of the Municipal buildings and facilities you see around you. John is dedicated to improving the business environment in Manicaland which has deteriorated through incompetence and corruption.

ESMAIL HUSSEN

Trustee

Esmail Hussen known in the public circles as Lito Electricals, He is a qualified Electrician and a businessman. He voluntarily took the task to represent the business community from exorbitant service and levies charges from City Council.

He also worked with UMRRT in 2020 and early 2021 as a Rates task-force member that was selected by Mutare City Ratepayers and Residents at Hillside Golf club in 2020.

BRIAN LESLIE JAMES

Trustee

A former commercial poultry farmer, displaced and as a result a resident of Mutare City. Business and property interests date back to 1980. As a concerned citizen was elected Mayor of Mutare in 2008. Since this time has remained actively involved in the pursuance of transparent and accountable management of our City's affairs. He also worked with UMRRT in 2020 and early 2021 as a Rates task-force member that was selected by Mutare City Ratepayers and Residents at Hillside Golf club in 2020.

ZUNAID NAKEDAR

Trustee

Zunaid Nakedar is the Managing Director at Decor Paints. Manufacture Decorative Paints and other chemical related products. He also worked with UMRRT in 2020 and early 2021 as a Rates task-force member that was selected by Mutare City Ratepayers and Residents at Hillside Golf club in 2020.

KUDZAI MAKORE

Trustee

Kudzai Makore is the Managing Director of Viema Africa Private Limited with interests in Retail, Tourism and Property development. A former Area Manager of National Foods limited and Regional Manager for Pioneer Africa Limited. Kudzai holds a Masters of Business Administration, CIS Diploma and Diploma in Leadership and Governance and several other management courses attended at Mandel Training Centre. He has held several boards appointments in ZNCC, ZIFA, and Currently MCSMEs and he also worked with UMRRT in 2020 and early 2021 as a Rates task- force member that was selected by Mutare City Ratepayers and Residents at Hillside Golf club in 2020.

PHIBEON NGORIMA

Trustee

Phibeon is a holder of a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education (BAEdu). He is the Senior Operations Manager of Zimbabwe Medical Outsourcing Solutions and the Property Manager of several properties in Mutare. Phibeon is FIFA Futuro 111 Technical Instructors, a ZIFA Match Commissioner and Technical Instructor and Soccer Referees Coach. He is a former ZIFA and Zimbabwe PSL Referee. He was instrumental in the redevelopment of Sukubva Sports Stadium which has assisted in the development of Mutare City's giant sports infrastructure.

He is also a former High School English teacher and also a former Africa University English Lecturer. He worked with UMRRT in 2020 and early 2021 as a Rates task- force member that was selected by Mutare City Ratepayers and Residents at Hillside Golf club in 2020. The taskforce's roles among others were to engage Mutare City Council (COM) towards:

- the reduction of the high rates and licenses set by COM

- the improvement of the poor City service delivery.