Barnabas Marambire

Early life and background;

Banabasi Marambire was born and raised in Zimbabwe. He grew up in Matizenyika Village in Chivi District, Masvingo Province. His childhood was marked by significant financial difficulties. He lost both parents at a young age and grew up facing the challenges of orphanhood alongside his siblings. According to accounts of his life, Marambire experienced hunger and hardship while growing up. He sometimes sold agricultural produce, including beans, sweet potatoes and vegetables, to help support himself and his family. Despite these difficulties, he developed an entrepreneurial spirit from an early age. His experiences taught him the importance of hard work, determination and finding opportunities even in difficult circumstances. His early life later became the inspiration for his book, The Herdboy, which tells the story of his journey from rural poverty to business success.

Education;

Marambire attended Chasiya Primary School before proceeding to Chongogwe Secondary School in Chivi District. He completed his Ordinary Level education in 1999. However, because of financial challenges, he was unable to continue with formal education at that stage. Rather than allowing his circumstances to prevent him from pursuing his ambitions, he entered the workforce and began developing practical business and construction skills. His experiences in farming and construction later became valuable foundations for establishing his companies. Marambire subsequently received several honorary academic distinctions in recognition of his entrepreneurship and philanthropic work.

Career beginnings: From herdboy to entrepreneur;

Marambire's professional journey began with humble employment in agriculture. At approximately 18 years of age, he moved to Botswana in search of better economic opportunities. He initially engaged in informal trading before taking up employment as a cattle herder on a farm. He reportedly earned a modest monthly income from herding cattle, but he remained determined to build a better future. The nickname The Herdboy originated from this period of his life and eventually became closely associated with his personal brand and inspirational story. While working as a herdboy, he developed the habit of saving money from his earnings. These savings helped him take his first steps towards entrepreneurship. He later moved into the construction industry, working as a general labourer and gaining practical experience in the building sector. His exposure to construction, building materials and related services helped him identify business opportunities that would eventually shape his entrepreneurial career.

Business career;

Marambire began his formal entrepreneurial journey by registering his first company in 2005, according to interviews published about his life. He later established Barmlo Group of Companies, which developed into a business group operating in several sectors. His business interests include construction, building materials supply, brick moulding, commercial transport, food processing and renewable energy. Barmlo Group of Companies Marambire is the founder and chief executive officer of Barmlo Group of Companies. The group has been associated with several business ventures, including:

1. Barmlo Investments (Private) Limited Barmlo Investments specialises in the supply of building materials and hardware products, as well as brick moulding and related manufacturing activities. Its products and services support individuals, contractors and organisations involved in construction projects.
2. Barmlo Construction (Private) Limited Barmlo Construction focuses on building and construction services. Its activities include: Building construction. Plumbing. Electrical installations. Tiling. Carpentry. Painting. Commercial transport. The company has also promoted flexible construction payment arrangements designed to make building projects more accessible to customers.
3. Maineck Holdings (Private) Limited Maineck Holdings has interests in maize milling, food processing and solar energy products. The business reflects Marambire's interest in expanding into sectors that support economic activity and everyday community needs.
4. Great Dyke AB Academy Marambire has also been reported as a co-owner of Great Dyke AB Academy, a private educational institution in Zimbabwe. Through these business interests, he has sought to diversify his investments while creating employment and contributing to economic development.  Business expansion and regional operations Marambire's entrepreneurial activities have extended beyond Zimbabwe. Reports about Barmlo Group have identified business operations and registrations in countries including Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Rwanda. His business expansion has been accompanied by employment creation, particularly in construction, building materials and related industries. A 2020 interview reported that his company had more than 200 employees. Later reports in 2025 placed the group's workforce at more than 500, with another report citing over 800 employees. These figures reflect different reporting periods and should not be treated as a single independently audited employment figure.

Philanthropy and community development;

Philanthropy is an important part of Marambire's public identity. Having experienced poverty and the loss of his parents during childhood, he has spoken about his desire to support disadvantaged communities and children facing similar circumstances. His charitable activities have included: Paying school fees and educational levies for disadvantaged children. Donating school desks and chairs to educational institutions. Providing books and learning materials to schools. Supporting vulnerable families and underprivileged communities. Promoting employment opportunities for people from disadvantaged backgrounds. Supporting young entrepreneurs and encouraging business development. In September 2021, he donated 20 desks and chairs and 60 copies of his book The Herdboy to Chongogwe High School, one of the schools associated with his educational background. He has also supported educational institutions in Chivi District through donations and community development initiatives. Barmlo Music for Hope Marambire has been associated with the Barmlo Music for Hope project, an initiative that brings together musicians and creative professionals to promote talent development and help address poverty. The initiative reflects his interest in using business resources and entertainment to create opportunities for others. His philanthropic philosophy is strongly influenced by his Christian faith and the belief that business success should also benefit society.

Author and motivational speaker; Marambire is the author of The Herdboy, an inspirational book based on his personal experiences. The book was officially launched in Harare in August 2020. In the publication, he shares his experiences of growing up as an orphan, facing poverty, working as a cattle herder and farm worker, entering the construction industry and eventually establishing his own businesses. The book focuses on several themes, including: Overcoming difficult circumstances. The importance of hard work and perseverance. Developing an entrepreneurial mindset. Financial discipline and saving. Identifying business opportunities. Maintaining faith and determination. Giving back to the community after achieving success. Marambire has explained that one of his motivations for writing the book was to encourage young people who come from disadvantaged backgrounds not to abandon their dreams. He has also expressed an interest in writing more books focused on entrepreneurship and practical business lessons. Mufudzi Wemombe His life story also inspired the song Mufudzi Wemombe, performed by Zimbabwean musicians Trevor Dongo and Feli Nandi. The song celebrates his journey from cattle herding to entrepreneurship and reflects the inspirational message behind his nickname, The Herdboy.

Awards and recognition;

Marambire has received several awards and honorary recognitions for his entrepreneurship and philanthropic activities. Some of the notable recognitions associated with his career include: Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters (2022) In February 2022, Marambire received an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from the International Institute of Philanthropy in partnership with the International Women's University. The recognition was associated with his philanthropic activities and support for disadvantaged communities. Honorary Doctorate of Business Leadership (2022) He was also reported to have received an honorary doctorate in Business Leadership from the International Women's University. Honorary Doctorate of Entrepreneurship and Business Leadership (2022) Another honorary doctorate was reportedly conferred on him by the International University of Entrepreneurship and Business Leadership. These three honorary distinctions were reported within a period of approximately two weeks in 2022. They should be distinguished from earned university degrees.

Great Dyke Businessman of the Year (2025) In September 2025, Marambire received the Best Businessman of the Year Award at the Great Dyke Awards. The award recognised his contribution to business and entrepreneurship in the Great Dyke region. His recognition was reported by Midweek Watch following the awards ceremony organised by YA FM and Great Dyke TV.

Africa Netpreneur Initiative;

Marambire has also been associated with the Africa Netpreneur Initiative and the Jack Ma Foundation's entrepreneurship programmes. His business activities were recognized through initiatives aimed at identifying and supporting promising African entrepreneurs.

Personal life;

Banabasi Marambire is married to Locadia Marambire. The couple have three sons. He has spoken about the importance of family, faith and gratitude in his personal journey. Marambire is a Christian and has publicly attributed his achievements to God's grace, hard work and perseverance. His personal experiences of growing up without parents have also influenced his commitment to helping disadvantaged children and supporting educational development. He continues to identify with his rural upbringing and the experiences that shaped his journey as an entrepreneur.

Business philosophy and inspiration;

Marambire's business philosophy centres on entrepreneurship, discipline, perseverance and identifying opportunities in difficult economic environments. He has cited Zimbabwean business leader Strive Masiyiwa as one of his inspirations, particularly admiring his approach to business and interaction with people. He encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to develop practical skills, work hard, save money and take responsibility for their own progress. His personal story is often presented as an example of how determination and consistent effort can help people overcome difficult beginnings.