A feast for the eyes!

Zimbabwe will from New Year’s Day ban foreigners from owning a majority stake in a host of businesses from bakeries to beauty salons, a cabinet minister said Tuesday.

Foreigners will only be allowed to own minority stakes in the affected businesses if they have local partners, and will be given between four and five years to comply with the new law.

From January 1, 2014, Zim will not be issuing foreigners licences in areas reserved for locals. And for foreigners who are already operating in those areas reserved for locals should seek indigenous partners to buy shares.

Meanwhile, locals are free to seek foreign partners as long as the local retains their majority shareholding.

The ban will also include estate agencies, grain mills, retail outlets, milk processing plants, transport andvalet services.

According to Zim, it’s all about creating employment and empowering indigenous Zimbabweans.