Dr Barnabas Marambire
By Dickson Bandera
Barmlow Construction founder Dr Barnabas Marambire has issued a passionate plea to Zimbabweans to exercise caution and patriotism when speaking about their country on social media, warning that consistently negative portrayals of Zimbabwe are harming efforts to attract meaningful investment.
As Zimbabwe continues to court foreign direct investment to rebuild its economy, national reputation is becoming a key pillar of its diplomatic and economic strategy. Investors do not only look at economic indicators but also at public sentiment, governance ratings, and online content—factors that shape risk perception.
Zimbabwe, a country rich in natural resources and human talent, has endured decades of political and economic turmoil, leading to an exodus of frustrated citizens who have often used online platforms to vent their dissatisfaction.
While some of the criticism stems from legitimate concerns, Dr Marambire argues that an overwhelming focus on the negative risks distorting the country’s image and deterring potential progress.
In a candid online post ahead of a crucial business pitch to potential investors, Marambire revealed the uphill task of convincing international financiers that Zimbabwe’s business environment is more nuanced and promising than what is often depicted online.
“Pitching a business to investors is not a playground,” he wrote. “Especially convincing investors that the real Zimbabwe is different from what is portrayed on social media.”
His remarks come amid growing concern that internet-driven narratives about Zimbabwe—often dominated by political frustration, economic decline, and social grievances—are discouraging both domestic confidence and foreign investment.
“My fellow Zimbabweans, ngatimbomirai kushora nyika yekwedu pa internet. You will only understand it one day when you try to attract meaningful investors to Zimbabwe,” Marandure warned. “The reference is not good.”
“I think exposing the bad things about our country is doing us more harm than good,” he said.
His post highlights the need for objectivity and balance in online discourse. While acknowledging Zimbabwe’s very real challenges—including currency instability, corruption, and poor service delivery—analysts have long urged citizens to frame criticism in ways that do not sabotage the country’s long-term prospects.
The rise of digital platforms has amplified citizen voices and created a space for accountability. However, the same tools have also been used for misinformation, hate speech, and blanket condemnations of the nation, often without proper context.
