Local property development company Craft Properties Private Limited marked its 17 anniversary on April 28, which coincidentally is the birthday month for the company CEO and founder Kudakwashe Taruberekera. It is the same month that Zimbabwe celebrates its independence.
From humble beginning where he worked at a construction company in Mberengwa later to be employed by the deputy sheriff and messenger of court under the Justice ministry before joining property development business, Tarubereka’s journey has been fuelled by partnership, innovation and resilience.
In a wide range interview with Standard Style (SS), Taruberekera (KT) believes his democratic leadership style which encourages the free exchange of ideas among his team has been the cornerstone of his organisation’s success story.
He also reflects on the journey that Craft Properties has travelled and what the future holds.
Below are excerpts from the interview.
SS: Professor Kudakwashe Taruberekera, congratulations on Craft Properties Holdings reaching an incredible 17-year milestone! Can you share a bit about that long and arduous journey and how the company came to be one of the leading property development firms in the country?
KT: Thank you! It has indeed been a remarkable journey since founding Craft Properties in 2008, of cause marked with ups and downs, but through the resilience of my team and support from other key stakeholders we have made it through. Our vision was, and still is to transform Zimbabwe’s real estate sector and deliver high-quality but affordable infrastructure projects. We have grown from modest beginnings to become a trusted name not only here in Zimbabwe, but on the international scene. I believe my team’s commitment to professionalism has distinguished us, especially in an industry often plagued by serious challenges. Craft Properties has over the past 17 years worked beyond traditional corporate governance or mere compliance with legal requirements toward acting as responsible corporate citizens looking to positively affect the ecosystem where we operate. We have strived to be accountable, ethical and transparent in all our operations, which has earned us a good reputation both locally and globally. We have created a robust culture of integrity that is fostered and implemented collectively. We can’t afford to lose our efforts to foster business integrity at this moment after 17 years of commitment to transparency.
SS: You mentioned challenges and professionalism. Can you elaborate what challenges bedevil the infrastructure development industry and how it affects Craft Properties?
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KT: Absolutely. You may note that the media has in the years gone by been reporting on illegal structures and their subsequent demolitions, the proliferation of land barons and so on. When such things happen, the ordinary person tends to paint every player in the industry with the same brush. You will find that genuine players like us will definitely suffer collateral damage. But our priority has always been to operate with integrity and transparency and that has resonated with our clients and has helped us mitigate the damage and helped us keep our heads above the water.
SS: While on that, how can the public separate the so-called land barons and genuine land developers like your company?
KT: I don’t want any to sound too technical so I will not take you through the complex process of land development until one gets a permit for development from the relevant authorities. Having said that, we believe the simplest way is for every prospective stand owner to verify their choice with local authorities, that is the city councils, municipalities or rural councils as the case may be, before any purchase. Since it’s these authorities that have the last day in the granting of the development permits, I genuinely feel this ensures legitimacy and protects individuals from unscrupulous practices in the market. As Craft Properties, we strive to build lasting relationships with local authorities, and those partnerships enable us to effectively advocate for our clients and provide a safe purchasing environment.
SS: Which project or initiative do you think defines you as a successful player in infrastructure development?
KT: I have noticed that many people easily identify us with Greenfield cherries in Kadoma, maybe because of the proximity or because of the state-of-the-art buildings taking shape at the agro residential projects and the buzzing business there. As for me, I think the Holyland high-density project also in Kadoma is our flagship. I think of the affordability, the service to the supposedly low income earners in the community and the smiles we bring to such faces. I think this project is the epitome of our community rootedness and the relationship that we have with the general Kadoma populace. This together with our other philanthropic gestures is the things that always warm my heart when I reminisce.
SS: You have mentioned philanthropic efforts and community engagement. Can you tell us how these initiatives are rooted in your company’s philosophy?
KT: Firstly, we see it as giving back to the community that has always supported us through these 17 years. Secondly, we believe that true success transcends profit. Thirdly, our corporate social responsibility initiatives reflect our commitment to support the government of Zimbabwe in transforming people's lives. As I speak, we have ordered additional 150-wheel chairs for people with disabilities and 100 computers to be donated to government schools only so as to aid in the digitalisation of our schools. These 150 wheelchairs are for the disabled school children that are in the seven districts found in the Mashonaland West province and the computers will go a long way in this digitalised world. The main goal is to carry on supporting the learners who may find it difficult to access these aforementioned necessities. This has come as we are in the spirit of celebrating our 17th anniversary thus, Craft Properties (Pvt) Ltd is thrilled to celebrate 17 remarkable years of resilience, innovation, and shared success since our inception on April 28, 2008, in the vibrant city of Kadoma. It is also of requisite importance to note that it is not the first time to delve in this practice as we have already donated 10 wheelchairs in Kadoma and 10 in Masvingo.
We have also donated 10 residential stands to people with disability in Kadoma and five residential stands for people with albinism Kadoma as well. Thus, these residential stands are for the underprivileged and wheelchairs for people with disabilities. Hence, as it runs through our blood as a company to help those who are in needy, we are also requesting the general public to join hands in prayers with us as Zimbabweans as our nation is a Christian country so that we can be able to fulfill these projects. In a nutshell, whether it’s donating residential stands and wheelchairs or improving educational infrastructure, our aim is to uplift society and foster inclusivity. We don’t take these acts of kindness as mere transactions; they are vital components of our identity as a company. In support of our community’s wellbeing, our organisation is seeking for funds or partnership to build three to four roomed houses for the underprivileged, particularly those with disabilities. We aim to provide affordable and accessible accommodation so that they can be able to help each other. It has come to our attention that people with disabilities often face stigma and discrimination, unequal treatment despite their unique needs. What pains is that they are required to pay rentals equal to those who are physically able. Hence, our organisation comes into play to bridge the gap in ending social disparities and promote inclusivity by building resilient housing infrastructure for the marginalised group in support of SDGs.
As of 2025, the company has establoished a bursary scheme that pays school fees for more than 80 under-privileged students across the country and buys their school uniforms and stationery. The scheme was initiated to assist students across the country by paying their school fees since 2018. You may note that we have supported different sectors. For instance, last year we handed over classroom blocks and other facilities to one of the schools in Mashonaland West province under our corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative in partnership with the Education ministry under the government mantra of “leaving no one behind”. We are taking this CSR initiative to Masvingo and Nyaminyami districts as well.
SS: Undoubtedly social media is emerging as a powerful tool for businesses. How have you leveraged this platform responsibly?
KT: We definitely believe social media offers tremendous potential for positive engagement, and we encourage its use as a tool for education and outreach. However, I think you can agree with me that some are using it, or more aptly, abusing it for misinformation or conflict instead of utilising these platforms to share insights, showcase our initiatives and communicate directly with each other. Responsible usage helps us in building trust and enhancing our reputation as a leader in infrastructure development. If you go to your Facebook for instance, you will be shocked by the amount of energy spent on toxicity and hate.
SS: Companies are known to be striving to improve efficiency, what is your company doing in that regard.
KT: As a company we are very much aware of recent advancements in technology that have transformed various sectors. We are therefore harnessing artificial intelligence across all our divisions — from project planning to construction management and client engagement. AI will surely enhance our efficiency by streamlining operations, predicting project outcomes, and improving customer service. We believe this tech integration allows us to minimize risks and maximise quality standards. Embracing innovation ensures we remain at the forefront of a competitive industry. AI Chatbot in multiple languages will also be used on various platforms so that our clients will get the help they might seek 24/7
SS: Do you have other exciting projects for your clients and prospective partners in the future?
KT: Sure. We are currently focusing on developing a 900-megawatt solar power plant that promises to be a game-changer for renewable energy access in Zimbabwe. This project is not just about business, it’s also about sustainability and empowering communities. We also have upcoming construction projects across the nation that seeks to close the housing gap, not to mention employment creation. One of our major goals is to continue making impactful contributions to local economies. In that regard, before year end we are launching Never Sleep Security Services. We formed this to address the need for specialised and confidential services in security and investigations. We hope to utilise the trust built over the years to serve our clients with world class security services which will also, as alluded earlier, integrate AI systems.
SS: Lastly, as you reflect on these immense 17 years, what wish do you have for the future of your company and the communities you serve?
KT: I wish for Craft Properties to continue being a beacon of hope in all the industries we wish to serve — a company that embodies excellence and compassion.
