A ZIMBABWEAN based in South Africa Mr Godfrey Madanhire has ventured into wine manufacturing with his new brand, The Passport, being sold internationally.
In a recent interview, Mr Madanhire said plans were at an advanced stage to bring The Passport into the Zimbabwean market.
“We recently launched this exciting brand of wine called The Passport in South Africa. The brand represents those people who are ambitious who seek to achieve their dreams,” he said.
Mr Madanhire said the product, which comes in select red and select white was already being exported to overseas markets such as Malaysia.
“We now want it to be available in our home country Zimbabwe just to celebrate the sons and daughters of the soil who are prepared to go out there just to make things happen for themselves and the country,” he said.
“I am a professional speaker. I speak for a living, so when I built my reputation in South Africa I felt I needed a product to celebrate my legacy and I felt this is something exciting, which the people can drink and remember me.”
Mr Madanhire said the publication of his book titled, The Passport served as a launch pad for the drive into wine manufacturing, which he said symbolises the power of dreams to break mental boundaries and imaginary limits.
“Two years ago I wrote a book called The Passport, which is made up of letters and poems to celebrate people that go out of their homes, out of their countries and do something with their lives. After that we came up with The Passport wine brand, which is set to go far,” he said.
Mr Madanhire works with other partners, whose names he could not mention. He could also not disclose how much he invested in the business and the number of workers he employs.
The Passport was the toast of the day during a recent re-launch of Golden Mile Hotel in Kwekwe. The event was attended by Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa and South Africa President Jacob Zuma’s son, Selby, who has expressed interest to invest in the local tourism sector.
On his website Mr Madanhire describes the The Passport as a tribute to champions who believe in challenging stereotypes, pushing boundaries, defying the usual, achieving the extra-ordinary, flying beyond the sky and living a life of purpose.
“This unique brand is the brainchild of Godfrey Madanhire whose life is a true testimony of the power of dreams as a vehicle, licence and the passport to legendary greatness. His life story is truly inspirational, as he refused to give up in the face of adversity after crossing the border between Zimbabwe and South Africa with just R500 and a passport in his pocket,” reads a brief on the website.
It chronicles how Mr Madanhire found himself jobless and with no source of income in the neighbouring country.
He fought his way through some incredibly tough times, overcoming massive initial hardship, to become a successful entrepreneur with international presence. Today, Mr Madanhire is well known as a life coach and expert who regularly contributes pearls of wisdom in newspapers, magazines, radio stations and television.-Zimpapers
