Whilst going through my favourite publication this morning, I came across what seemed an interesting article.
With businesses closing down in Zimbabwe, unemployment is increasing and as a result, there is less consumer spending. During tough economic times, it might have been hard to come up with anything more visceral than the appeal to “Buy Zimbabwe. Save a job.” The time, however, now seems just right to unveil the slogan to start attracting the attention of the population of Zimbabwe because there is need to grow our local economy. With more job losses and more money going out of Zimbabwe, it is you the reader that will have no job, with no money in the country. No job is safe with less money being spent in Zimbabwe.
This was written by one Robert Garai Muganda, touted as the Media and Communications Executive for Buy Zimbabwe Campaign.
All well and good, and this seems like a noble effort. Except …
… buyzimbabwe.org.zw itself is not even hosted in Zimbabwe. *
So wait, you expect me to Buy Zimbabwe, yet you yourselves won’t even TRY Zimbabwe?
Come on guys, be serious. The website traces to sv12.premiumwebserver.com which my spidey sense tells me is a server in the United States of America. There are a number of web hosting companies in Zimbabwe. I even work for one.
I find it pretty hypocritical for an organisation that touts itself as an advocate for investment in local businesses to shun local businesses for their number one point of presence.
Until this “Buy Zimbabwe” business leads from the front, why should I bother?
Unjustifiable.
* Thanks to MN for pointing this out.