Let’s set the record straight.
Sales isn’t about shouting like you’re at an all-night prayer rally in Mbare.
It’s not about reciting product features like you’re reading Kombi rules aloud.
Modern sales in Zimbabwe is a conversation. A vibe. A strategy.
And here’s the catch: The best salespeople aren’t the ones who talk the most—they’re the ones who listen the best.
The Myth of the Almighty Sales Pitch
We’ve all met that guy at Joina City.
The one trying to sell you perfume, toothpaste, earrings, socks, an iPhone cover, and a juicer—all at once.
He’s not asking if you even have a phone. He’s just in full preaching mode:
“Boss! Original perfume! From Dubai! Lasts three days even if you bathe!”
Bro… I just asked for the time.
Now, contrast that with a kombi tout in Avondale who says:
“Ko boss, muri kuenda kupi?” (Where are you headed?)
That’s a question.
That’s connection.
That’s sales!
Great Salespeople Ask, Not Shout
Let’s say you’re selling borehole drilling in Chitungwiza.
If you approach a customer with:
“We offer 50-meter boreholes with German pipes and 48-hour completion!”
You sound like a noisy WhatsApp flyer.
But what if you asked:
“Pane dambudziko here nemvura munharaunda yenyu?”
(Do you have water challenges in your area?)
Now you’ve started a conversation.
You’re no longer a salesperson—you’re a problem solver.
The Better the Questions, the Bigger the E-wallet
Let’s face it: Zimbabweans have become sales-smart.
They’ve been approached by Forex traders, MLM recruiters, funeral policy agents, and miracle seed promoters on the same street.
So if you want to stand out, ditch the pitch.
Imagine you’re selling accounting software in Harare.
Don’t lead with:
“Our software has advanced analytics and 27 financial modules!”
Try instead:
“Do you currently know how much you’re spending on wages each month?”
When you hit that pain point, that C.E.O. from Kuwadzana will sit up straighter than a kid hearing “ice cream.”
Everyone is in Sales in Zimbabwe
Let me tell you—if you’ve ever tried convincing ZESA to reconnect your meter after load shedding, you’ve done sales.
If you’ve convinced your boss to pay your Econet airtime allowance before month-end—you’re a sales rep.
Sales is not a job title. It’s a survival skill in Zimbabwe.
If you’re in HR, and you’re explaining performance reviews to a stubborn employee named Tawanda—guess what? You’re doing sales. You’re just not getting commission.
Talk Less. Ask More. Sell Smarter.
Zim is changing.
Consumers are sharper. Money is tighter. Competition is tougher.
So, if you want to thrive in sales in Zimbabwe, stop behaving like a megaphone at a political rally.
Be more like the wise gogo in the market who says:
“Saka nhai mwana, uri kuda chii nhasi?”
(So my child, what are you looking for today?)
That’s sales magic.
So don’t pitch. Ask.
Don’t shout. Listen.
And whatever you do—don’t start with “I’m selling…” Start with “Tell me what you need.”
Want to train your team to close more deals without sounding like preachers on a kombi?
📩 Contact M&J Africa today.
We’ll help you build a sales army that listens before it sells.
