Short Story: Gift Nkomo shares his journey on Zimbabwe Stock Exchange

By Gift Nkomo

Since my childhood i was always interested in business and investing but, I didn't know or understand what it was really and of course how to go about it. Come 2019, i started reading from free internet sources where i learnt about stocks.

I quickly opened accounts on the Zimbabwe stock exchange via ZSE DIRECT AND CTRADE. I told myself that the best is to experiment and learn practically just like someone learning boxing on the ring (imagine challenging professional fighters while you know nothing-kuita chibhubhubhu muring). 

So i started learning everything by myself. I would  buy randomly, just to know what and how to place a buy order. Filled with confusion i would run for the counters with lowest prices and those that would have gained on that day. The next day i would buy anticipating that it would continue to rise. Whenever the counter start losing value i would quickly sell out. This was out of frustration. 

By doing this, i got to understand liquidity because not all my buy or sell orders would be successful so i learnt that it's not always automatic that everytime you place an order it matches. At times i would make profits, sometimes losses though i was experimenting with little amounts of money. So then i got to understand that it's a game of volumes, patience and consistency.

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 I didn't give up but continued reading books like rich dad poor dad, who moved my cheese, downloading videos from YouTube e.g Courage Nemaungwe and many more which focused specifically on Zimbabwe and other international stuff. 

I started searching for Whatsapp groups to join from the internet where i got some contacts for blogs such as startup biz. I would go to different social media platforms such as Twitter mostly, Facebook searching for people who post content that is related to markets and business. 

I am still learning as I go gaining experience every day. This has changed my life and the way i do things. I started to be strict on myself accounting for every single dollar that passes through my hands and i am now able to track,check and reflect on my earnings and expenses.

Lessons learnt which can help those who wish to start their journeys about investment:

1. The earlier you start the better: I wish i had known about stock markets as early as my high school days.

2. Everything has a strategy: Just like in soccer or any other game, there are formations or strategies used in playing the game, you might have the best players but if the strategy or formation is poor a lose is inevitable.

3. Learn from others but don't limit yourself to other people's strategies (gudzamudungwe rakabaisa vakawanda e.g the story of MEDTECH) you can always do things the way you feel and see or believe its your money by the way when you lose don't take it as loss especially in the early days take it as a lesson.

4 INVESTS in knowledge then practice what you would have learnt. Learning the hard way produces the best experience but it is not for the faint-hearted

5 Do not use emotions but rather apply rational thinking and reasoning while following principles ( known and proved theories and principles seldom lead you astray).

6 If you can't control your mind you aren't ready-one needs composure and flexibility of mind i.e being able to function normal even when the situation is against you.