Staff Reporter

David Whitehead Textiles Zimbabwe Private Limited has made a remarkable return to the manufacturing scene, with its operations in Kadoma and Chegutu now running, signaling a major boost for the country’s once-thriving textile and clothing industry.

Speaking at the 2025 National Oilseeds Conference in Kadoma, recently, company representative Tendayi Chetse announced the revival of Zimbabwe’s largest textile firm, which currently employs around 400 workers and has ambitions to more than double its workforce to 1,000 as production ramps up.

“The country’s largest textile company David Whitehead is firmly back on its feet, underlining the progress made since the company’s resurgence,” said Chetse.

In Kadoma, spinning and knitting operations are now in full swing, with production outputs including 4,000 tonnes of yarn, 1,200 tonnes of knitted fabric, 600 tonnes of mutton cloth, and another 600 tonnes of twine annually.

Meanwhile, the Chegutu plant has resumed weaving and fabric processing operations, with the capacity to churn out a massive 24 million metres of woven fabric each year.

Once a powerhouse that employed over 35,000 people at its peak, Zimbabwe’s textile industry has dwindled significantly, now supporting fewer than 10,000 workers.

Chetse attributed this decline to several challenges including high production costs, the influx of cheap imports, widespread smuggling, and the dominance of second-hand clothing in the local market.

He stressed the urgent need for strategic investment decisions informed by market realities.

“We must invest wisely across the entire value chain from cotton farming to finished products if we are to rebuild the industry,” he said.

Chetse also underscored the importance of robust Government support, noting that deliberate policy interventions are essential to the sector’s full recovery and sustainability.

He said the revival of David Whitehead could serve as a catalyst for broader industry rejuvenation, provided that the private sector and policymakers work in tandem.

With both its legacy and future firmly tied to Zimbabwe’s industrial fortunes, David Whitehead’s resurgence offers a glimmer of hope not just for the textile sector, but for national efforts aimed at re-industrialising and creating decent jobs.