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Zimbabwe Report

Marcopolis presents the Zimbabwe Report focused on topics such as economy, investments and doing business, featuring interviews with Zimbabwe's leaders. The sectors under review in this issue are agriculture & agribusiness, banking & financial services, construction & real estate, hospitality & tourism, industry, services, telecom & IT, and many more. 

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VideosDecember 04, 2023

Beyond Borders Logistics: Navigating Challenges, Pioneering Change, and Thriving Amidst Adversity

Written by Sandra Francisco
Published: December 04, 2023

Thelma Chimbganda, Co-Founder and CEO of Beyond Borders Logistics, explores the company’s journey from its inception to establishing itself as a prominent force in Zimbabwe’s logistics industry.

"The roots of our company trace back to around 2019 when I found myself at a crossroads after resigning from my previous employment and dissatisfied with the logistics services we were using at the time. We were relying on external sources for shipping and clearing, but the professionalism and quality of service fell short of our expectations. Recognizing an opportunity for improvement, we decided to step into the logistics industry. Believing in the importance of kindness and transparency, qualities we felt were lacking, we embarked on our entrepreneurial journey. In the logistics sector, the ability to track goods is crucial, yet we encountered challenges in obtaining timely and transparent information about our shipments. Identifying a gap in professionalism and systems within the industry, we took a leap of faith to address these shortcomings. Starting with a simple receipting system, we noticed a significant difference. Previously, making payments lacked proper recording and receipting, so we introduced a straightforward receipt book. While it may have seemed basic, it marked the beginning of positive changes within the industry. In essence, our company was born out of a desire to fill the void we observed and contribute to a more efficient and transparent logistics landscape", says Thelma Chimbganda.

"Our journey commenced with our first consignment in January 2020, right on the cusp of the pandemic. Unfortunately, this initial shipment found itself stuck in Dubai for nearly five to six months, presenting a significant setback for us as newcomers to the industry. Coming from a background in public relations, marketing, and business development, I was not well-versed in logistics and had never encountered such challenges before. However, guided by our core values of honesty and communication, we promptly informed our clients about the situation. It was beyond our control, particularly with Emirates shutting down operations. Remarkably, our clients understood the predicament, and Emirates, adapting to the circumstances, converted their passenger planes into cargo planes. This stroke of fortune allowed us to persist during those challenging months. Moreover, having access to a specific venue for consignment collection proved advantageous. With curfews in place and restricted movement, our unique operating location became a focal point. While others struggled with shutdowns in town, our clients could still access our services. This strategic advantage positioned us as the preferred logistics company during that period. Thus, we successfully navigated the challenges of COVID until the eventual lifting of lockdowns and curfews", she adds.

 

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