Compiled by Jonathan Waters
By Dr Tony Michel Monda
“In the post-colonial period, brewing remains the oldest secondary industry in Zimbabwe. ‘
The book, “Delta Corporation – Our Historical Journey“, is a 160 page-volume researched, compiled and written by Jonathan Waters and published by New Zanj Publishers which testifies to the quotation – “Our Historical Journey“.
It outlines the history, economies, socio-political environments and the various governments in office that the Zimbabwe brewing industry and Delta Corporation encountered throughout its 60 years of existence.
The hard cover book in A3 format is lavishly illustrated with sepia, analogue black and white and full colour digital photography including painted portraits of former directors and leaders in the industry.
Equally appealing in the book are images of the various advertising copy, slogans and branding over the years that convey the opinion and trends of society during the entire history of brewing.
It traces the history of brewing beer in Zimbabwe over the past 125 years, from the first locally brewed beer to the introduction of traditional sorghum-based beers and the manufacturing of soft drinks, cordials and ciders in the country and the greater Southern African region.
The book is filled with historical accuracy, interesting anecdotes, chronological sequencing and socio-political referencing of the impact of the country’s macro-economy on the commercial brewing of beer.
The facts in the book’s glossy pages are accompanied by lavish illustrations of the period from the founding of Salisbury Breweries in August 1898, known then as the Salisbury Larger Beer Brewery and Ice Factory Company of Southern Rhodesia, to the state-of-the-art computerized bottling, canning and packaging of the various products and processes introduced since its inception to the present time.
The first brewery was opened on May 1 1899, by the Premier Administrator of the Colony Sir William Milton, which was one of the first commercial colonial enterprises. Interestingly, from the introduction of the book, one notes that only five years following the demise of Lobengula in November 1893 that a brewing operation was lobbied for because “… it was most suitable for the climate”; by hoteliers and store keepers who were aware of the advantages of a local brewery.
Adolph Rosenthal, of the Commercial Hotel in First Street, Louis Susman of the Masonic Hotel on Pioneer Street, and Tom Meikles, were responsible for the first brewery located on the corner of Charter Road and Cameroon Street, built at the cost of £16 000. The foundation stone was laid on 30 August, 1898. Beer went on sale on Monday, 1 May, 1899, the same day the rail line arrived in Salisbury (Harare), from Umtali (Mutare).
The script in the book proceeds chronologically to contemporary times, with commentaries from the press and various leaders, chief executive officers, directors and share holders who impacted on the growth of Delta Cooperation in pre- and- post-independent Zimbabwe.
The book shares with the reader the challenges faced by Delta Corporation and the navigational strategies undertaken as well as the optimism and resilience demonstrated by both the Cooperation’s executives and staff for the survival of the brewing industry throughout the years.
It is also interesting to read how the various Chief Executives at Delta Corporation responded to the effects the various economic policies had on the beer brewing enterprise in Zimbabwe. Policies such as ESAP, Dollarization and the Government of National Unity (GNU), to the resultant macro–economic challenges, such as Zimbabwe’s Land Reform programme (2000-2010) the ensuing industrial closures, fiscal contraction, Bondrization, general socio- economic lethargy, renewed agricultural transformation and the falsely[over]valued local currency are discuss in the context of the industry.
Specialised agricultural zoning is also mentioned in the book. Not many post-independent readers will know that farms in Midlands area were historically zoned to produce the grain such as the hops and barley that buoyed the brewing industry in Southern Africa.
The author of the book does not proffer a subjective opinion; instead, he highlights quotes and commentaries from the major stakeholders in the industry.
There are many enlightening pages of script in the book including how the colonial brewers mastered the making of traditional beer through a series of experiments that required the input of indigenous people: from taste and deficiencies, to the consistency, potency and effects of the beer.
Thus, the result was that commercial traditional beer was made by the book. Hence from chi-buku came the name “Chibuku“.
Throughout the decades, Delta Beverages group which is now effectively a beverage company with associated businesses, have been successful because they have responded to the needs of the
people. From the laying of the foundation stone in August 1898, to the first beer that went on sale on Monday, 1 May, 1899; to the brewing of traditional Chibuku beer in 1962, to the introduction of Coca-Cola in 1948, Sparletta in 1955, Mazoe Crush and Fanta in 1956, to canned beer in 1958.
Today It offers lager beer (Castle Lager, Castle Milk Stout, Golden Pilsener, Lion Lager, Carling Black Label, Zambezi Lager, Zambezi Lite Lager, Bohlinger’s Lager, Eagle Lager); traditional sorghum beer (Chibuku and Rufaro); and beverages (Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Light, Fanta, Sparletta, Sprite, Schweppes), juices and juice drinks, and ready-to-drink teas and coffees. The company also engages in the barley malting business. In addition, it manufactures PET, injection, and blow moulded plastic products; glass containers; and wine and spirits.
The company further operates as an agricultural producer, and fruit and vegetable distributor.
Written in simple, comprehensive English, the book will appeal to a broad section of society from the layman to journalists, historians, advertising specialists, designers, copywriters, sports people, business, sociology, cultural anthropologists, science, chemistry, economics, development studies and political science scholars.
It is a story of the best of Zimbabwean enterprise, which consistently responds to the needs of their communities, embraces development and new technologies and weathers the storms and challenges of the country.
From the keepers of the crops on the land to the ice-cold glass in our hands, we say Cheers to Delta, Cheers to Zimbabwe!
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