By Zachary Gava
Harare, (New Ziana) –An early-morning observation back in 1996 has turned into a distinctive success story for Charles Zulu, who noticed a convoy of vehicles gathered just after Banket Bridge along the Harare–Chirundu Road, and instantly noticed an opportunity to earn a living.
The motorists were buying fishing worms, but to Zulu’s surprise, the seller had already run out of stock as he was evidently overwhelmed by the demand.
“That worried me,” Zulu said. “It was still early in the morning, yet the worms were finished. The demand was clearly bigger than the supply.”
Curious, Zulu asked where the worms were sourced from, only to learn that they came from Plumstead, the same area that he hailed from and that moment proved decisive.
Recognizing a clear gap in the market, Zulu says the idea of starting his own worm harvesting venture clicked instantly and has seen him become a renowned worm harvester and fishing supplies entrepreneur.
“I knew then that I could get into that business and satisfy the market. I saw a big opportunity, and I felt it was the correct path for me.”
Today, Zulu’s enterprise has grown into Banket Fishermen, a well-known brand that goes beyond worm harvesting. Operating from a busy spot along the Harare–Chirundu highway, his business now supplies a full range of fishing equipment, making it a one-stop destination for anglers.
The site has become a recognized rendezvous for fishermen, attracting clients from across Zimbabwe and beyond. According to Zulu, Banket Fishermen is now known internationally, with visiting anglers and tourists deliberately stopping by his stand when travelling through Mashonaland West province.
His growing reputation has seen the business advertised in international fishing magazines, while major fishing tournaments, including the popular Tiger Fish Tournament, bring brisk business as local and international competitors pass through Banket to stock up on bait and gear.
Despite the success, Zulu notes that worm harvesting is often misunderstood and looked down upon by some in society.
“People look down upon people who sell worms, but this is a business like any other business,” he said. “There is dignity in honest work.”
His resolve was shaped by childhood memories of his father, who worked on farms for 30 years but had little to show for it beyond a bicycle. Determined to avoid a similar fate, Zulu vowed never to depend on employment alone, choosing instead to build a self-sustaining enterprise.
Nearly 30 years later, that determination has paid off. Zulu has become a reliable supplier of fishing worms in the region, earning a reputation for consistency.
“No fisherman has ever failed to get supply of my worms,” he says with pride.
While the business experiences seasonal fluctuations, with winter months bringing slower trade and summer delivering peak demand, Zulu describes himself as exceptionally hardworking and resilient, as his expertise has not been shaped by formal schooling but by decades of hands-on experience.
“I didn’t go to any school to learn how to take care of worms. Over the last 30 years, real life has taught me everything, the environments they thrive in and the ones they are fragile in,” he said.
The products that Zulu sells include red worms commonly known as night crawlers, brown worms, pellets and a wide range of fishing accessories. His growing influence has attracted major corporate interest, with a leading tractor company erecting a large billboard at his stand, a clear sign of the commercial value and visibility his business now commands.
“I have lifted the flag high for this little town of Banket. My business is well known,” he said.
Beyond personal success, Zulu’s venture has become a source of livelihoods for many as he employs 13 people directly, supporting numerous families. In addition, up to 50 surrounding farms benefit through a supply arrangement in which workers harvest worms, bring them to the central site and farm them collectively.
Through foresight, resilience and community-minded entrepreneurship, Zulu has transformed a simple observation into a thriving enterprise, proving that even the most modest ideas can place a small town on the global map when matched with determination, dignity and hard work.
New Ziana
