Supermarkets ditch plastic bags for leaves

In March, a dead whale which washed up in the Philippines with 88 pounds of trash in its stomach reminded the world that our plastic waste is causing irreparable damage to the environment. As a result, supermarkets like Rimping in Thailand have decided to ditch plastic packaging. They now use banana leaves. Supermarkets in Vietnam have also caught on the trend and soon the whole world will be in line. An increasing number of countries continue to ban single-use plastic bags and packaging. China banned the use of ultra-thin plastic bags back in 2008 and this move has already seen a 66% drop in plastic bag use. Is Zimbabwe doing something about its plastic footprint?

https://www.vice.com/amp/en_asia/article/43zj8b/thailand-vietnam-supermarkets-reducing-plastic-by-using-banana-leaves-packaging?__twitter_impression=true

DHL launches e-commerce App

DHL has launched DHL Africa eShop, an e-commerce app for global retailers to sell goods to Africa’s consumer markets. The platform brings more than 200 U.S.A and U.K retailers online in 11 African countries which include South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Botswana, Rwanda and others. Customers will be able to pay using local fintech options like M-Pesa and Nigeria’s Paga. What makes this exciting is that DHL will use its existing delivery structure on the continent to deliver the goods. Most U.S and U.K retailers do not currently ship to Africa and this is the gap that DHL is looking to exploit. DHL are partnering Mall of Africa in this venture.

https://techcrunch.com/2019/04/11/dhl-launches-africa-eshop-app-for-global-retailers-to-sell-into-africa/

Startupbootcamp kick-starts acceleration programme

Startupbootcamp with the support of partners like Nedbank, Old Mutual, PwC and others are running a start up acceleration programme from 11th August to 8th November 2019. Under the programme, 10 selected high potential start ups from across Africa will be given an opportunity to accelerate their companies. Selected start ups will go through a 3 month extensive programme with business lessons and networking opportunities. They will have access to over 1 500 mentors and investors. They will also be given free working space during these 3 months. Each team will also receive €15 000 to cover their expenses during this period. The exciting news is that the Startupbootcamp team will be in Zimbabwe 9th September 2019 to meet with interested start ups.

https://www.startupbootcamp.org/accelerator/afritech/

Matsa brings high class entertainment to the ghetto

A South African based Zimbabwean, Solomon Matsa is expanding his empire Solomon’s Lifestyle Cafe into the ghetto. He has opened a joint in Glen View. According to Matsa, the idea is to promote upmarket entertainment in the ghetto. Previously, this has been a preserve for those in leafy areas like Borrowdale and the city centre. Matsa believes that customer care will be top notch at his joint and they will do things differently in terms of culture, strategy and philosophy. What  better way to improve the customer experience than allowing patrons to phone him directly should they have any issues.

https://www.newsday.co.zw/2019/04/matsa-on-mission-to-promote-township-tourism/