Banabasi Marambire grew up in Zimbabwe as an orphan with eight siblings. Due to poor nutrition, he endured long nights of hunger and was diagnosed with kwashiorkor disease when he was 14 years old.
He sold beans, sweet potatoes, and other vegetables to survive and provide for his siblings. Marambire moved to Botswana at the age of 18 in search of greener pastures. He continued to sell beans, potatoes, and vegetables during his first year in Botswana.
“Soon I got tired of the tedious and challenging process of applying for permits to bring the agricultural produce across the border. So, I settled in Botswana and worked as a herd boy,” he told CGTN Africa. As a herd boy, Marambire took home $15 a month.
His ambition and aspiration, however, extended beyond selling vegetables and working as a herd boy. He aspired to be an astute businessman, and at the age of 25, he saved and registered his first company in Botswana with his meager salary. His company specialized in construction aggregates.
Today, he has several companies to his name. His website says he is the “founder of Barmlo Group of Companies whose umbrella includes; (1). Barmlo Investments (PVT) Ltd which specializes in Building Materials supply and Brick Moulding; (2). Barmlo Construction (PVT) Ltd whose focus is on the erection of buildings, plumbing, electrification, tilling, carpentry and painting. Barmlo Construction also offers commercial transport. (3). Maineck Holdings (PVT) Ltd., which is grounded on Maize Milling and Food processing and Solar Energy supply.”
He is also a co-owner of the private school Great Dyke AB Academy. According to CGTN Africa, his companies have a combined annual revenue of 32 million US dollars. He has also employed hundreds of people in Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Namibia.
Marambire shows no signs of relenting. He is now motivated by a desire to assist the needy and poor in society. Given his background and how he became a multimillionaire, Marambire established a trust to assist the less fortunate.
‘The Herd Boy,’ a book about Marambire’s journey, has been published. He stated that he planned to further his education in 2021.