Wild speculation as Richard Branson flies into Zim...

Wild speculation as Richard Branson flies into Zimbabwe

Zim Now Writer

Rumours are flying around about Richard Branson’s visit to Zimbabwe with many convinced that the British billionaire may be casting his eye on some venture in Zimbabwe.

Silence from official government channels which would normally hype such a visit if Branson was meeting with top government official has left the field wide open for rumours based on zero facts.

Some speculators think that the Virgin Atlantic Airways founder could be interested in fastjet after the airline announced Branson’s presence in Harare in a tweet:

"Guess who was on a Fastjet flight to Harare? It was a pleasure having Richard Branson onboard a fastjet flight. Honoured to have one of aviation's top personalities flying with us."

Branson appears to have flown in on a commercial flight which has raised assumptions that the magnate is not on holiday and could have been checking out the airline from a passenger experience point of view.

Speculations in this camp are of the view that with Zimbabwe’s upgraded airports and international investment in the country rising each day, lithium deposits and exciting oil prospects, a future looking investor would definitely want to get into the aviation space early.

fastjet has consolidated its market position as one of the most innovative and customer oriented airlines in the country by offering connecting domestic flights to and between tourist destinations of Hwange, Kariba and Mana Pools. Previously the areas were only accessible by road and charter flights.

Fastjet also announced the introduction of an enhanced value-based Fare Family structure in May which increased its ticketing options to three up from two:

“Value” fares include a generous baggage allowance plus the opportunity to change bookings, with a change fee and fare difference where applicable.

“Value Flex” fares offer customers the same baggage allowance as the Value fares, plus extra flexibility when it comes to changing travel plans, with two no-fee changes permitted at any time prior to travel.

“Value Plus” fares include unlimited no-fee changes, refundability and two pieces of checked baggage allowance with a combined weight allowance of 32kg.

Other speculations are saying Branson could be targeting the new oil prospects in the Mana Pools area. Talks of prospecting for oil in the region housing the Mana Pools tourist destination has already sparked a resistance movement from the white resort owners who are determined to protect their super money making enclaves with some facilities charging up to US$1500 a night per guest.

The view is that Branson could be interested in the Mana oil prospects as finding a way of preserving the area’s pristine natural state while allowing for oil drilling as this would fit in with his outlook on energy sourcing.

Branson’s numerous charitable initiatives included pledging an estimated $3 billion in 2006 to fund environmentally friendly fuel research.

Which leads to another view that Branson could be looking at getting into Zimbabwe’s lithium industry which is set to grow as the country has the world’s sixth largest deposits of the key electric vehicle battery component and has attracted over US$1 billion in Chinese investment with more coming.

Branson’s signature Virgin brand was born as the name of his second venture Virgin Mail Order Records – so named because Branson considered himself inexperienced in business.

He went on to build a diversified business empire spanning over 100 companies in entertainment, media, aviation and space tourism.

So his business interest in Zimbabwe, if it exists, could be in a totally unexpected corner.