Youthful politician and businessman James “Jimlaca Gold” Pande says his journey from selling mangoes on the streets of Mucheke at the age of five to building businesses across three countries has shaped his vision for economic empowerment and public service.
In an interview with Southern Eye, the Zanu PF politician positioned himself as a grassroots leader with a strong connection to the struggles of vendors, cross-border traders and small-scale miners.
“I built businesses without a payslip, so I understand what vendors and traders need less red tape and more capital,” said Pande.
He attributed his growing popularity in Masvingo Urban to years of community assistance, including donations of solar lighting to schools, medical supplies to Masvingo General Hospital, and financial support to vulnerable groups such as the elderly and orphans.
He has also funded local sporting initiatives and assisted families with school fees and funeral costs.
Pande said his philanthropic work predates his political ambitions.
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“I have always supported my community because I am part of it. I was born there, and I belong to the people,” he said.
On service delivery, particularly the persistent water challenges in Masvingo, Pande acknowledged the need for long-term solutions.
He said while he has previously supported borehole projects, his focus as a legislator would be on pushing for sustainable budgets to address the city’s water crisis.
“We need to move away from short-term interventions and legislate for lasting solutions that fix Masvingo’s water challenges permanently,” he said.
The businessman also addressed allegations surrounding a US$500 000 antimony deal and kidnapping claims, which went viral, lately.
He dismissed the accusations as a smear campaign linked to his political ambitions.
“I was defrauded in a deal, and when I pursued legal channels to recover my money, false charges emerged. Investigations found no grounds to proceed,” he said, adding that the timing of the allegations was ‘not a coincidence’.”
Pande argued that his business background should be viewed as an asset rather than a liability.
“If business experience disqualifies someone, then we exclude the very people who understand how the economy works,” he said.
On policy, he pledged to prioritise job creation, particularly for young people, through tax incentives for companies that hire and train locally.
He also called for the formalisation of small-scale mining, saying it would improve safety, increase revenue, and ensure local communities benefit from mineral resources.
“Our miners need security, proper licensing, and access to markets. That is how we build sustainable livelihoods,” he said.
As a farmer involved in tobacco, maize and sesame production, Pande highlighted the need for timely agricultural inputs, fair pricing structures and improved irrigation systems to support communal farmers.
He also aligned himself with Zanu PF’s empowerment agenda, describing it as a framework for equipping ordinary citizens with the tools to participate meaningfully in the economy.
Looking ahead, Pande said his vision for Masvingo includes improved access to clean water, expanded economic opportunities and accountable leadership.
“In five years, success means a vendor in Mucheke has access to credit and clean water, and a miner has security and a pension. That is the future I am working towards,” he said.