I know that title sounds funny but when the company went belly up, it took a lot of public funds with it. :buggedout:
https://www.businessinsider.co.za/trending/idc-says-mara-could-not-meet-targets-due-to-pandemic-disruptions-2022-2 (https://www.businessinsider.co.za/trending/idc-says-mara-could-not-meet-targets-due-to-pandemic-disruptions-2022-2)
The company's name is Mara Phones: the word 'mara' locally means "but why?": an appropriate name for a compnay which promised a lot, was recommended by government, provided employment to many and had millions in state funded cash injections but still failed. :buggedout:
The factory closed down two years after opening but here's the thing: I have never once seen one of these phones available for sale. Anywhere. :buggedout:
Sounds like one of the many reasons Terry McAuliffe lost the 2021 gubernatorial election to Glenn Youngkin...
McAuliffe had this nasty habit of running around saying he was going to start all kinds of new businesses & factories that never happened...