Bishop Phiri captivates SADC leaders with recycled fashion

AT 52, Bishop Felicia Phiri embodies a remarkable array of roles. With an unwavering dedication to empowering others and a distinct flair for fashion, she has garnered regional recognition. Her dress, crafted from recycled materials, was showcased at the SADC Summit in Harare under the Esteemed Business Women platform last year, capturing the attention of President Mnangagwa, his then Botswana counterpart President Masisi, and King Mswati of Eswatini.

Born into a family of fashion designers, Bishop Felicia’s artistic inclinations were nurtured from an early age.

However, it wasn’t until her life took an unexpected turn that her passion truly flourished. Becoming a widow at just 26 after being married for only five years, she faced the daunting challenge of raising her three children alone while pursuing her aspirations. A first-year law student at the time, Phiri was compelled to drop out and take up teaching to support her family. Yet, her heart was never fully invested in the classroom.

Recognising her unique ability to connect with people, Bishop Felicia transitioned to nursing, where her empathetic nature shone through. It was here that she discovered her gift for counselling, which caught the attention of her matron. Encouraged to pursue psychology, Bishop Felicia blossomed further, eventually opening a centre for women seeking guidance and support.

“When I ventured into nursing, I would spend most of my time counselling people instead of doing my designated duties until one matron noticed. They then sent me to school to do psychological counselling with the Ministry of Health and childcare in partnership with the Zimbabwe Open University (ZOU). I then resigned to start my own counselling centre, mostly focusing on abused women,” she said.

Her foray into the world of fashion was unexpected. The innate talent she had long ignored began to surface, allowing her to create stunning bridal and cultural wear. Bishop Felicia’s portfolio includes dressing TV presenters and the current Miss and Mr Rural Zimbabwe contestants.

“After opening the centre for counselling abused women, I thought of how the women can get therapy, and for me, it had always been sketching and sewing, so I went full scale on that and taught other women how to do it as well,” she said.

This creative outlet soon became a vehicle for her environmental advocacy, as she showcased her eco-friendly designs on the Southern African Development Community (SADC) stage.

“Sometimes I dream of a design, wake up, sketch it, and then in the morning, I work on it. I’m highly humbled and honoured to have designed an eye-catching bin liner dress that was appreciated by SADC leadership,” she said.

Bishop Felicia’s faith has been a cornerstone of her life. After years of ministering in various churches, she pursued a theology degree with the International Ministers University, culminating in her ordination as a reverend in 2018 and then as a bishop in 2022. She now serves as a certified marriage officer, advocating for love and commitment.

“After noticing my passion and dedication, the university ordained me a reverend. I am more of a missionary, so I am mostly involved in charity work and preaching in various countries, especially in Africa. After being ordained a bishop, I went on to work on being a certified marriage officer. This is because in my life, I’ve found love again, and I believe it’s God giving me a second chance. I believe in love, and I want to help others in their love journey,” she said.

Her journey is not just a personal victory; it’s a call to action for women everywhere. The bishop emphasises the importance of uplifting one another, crediting influential figures like Sipho Mazibuko for helping her rise in her career.

“Women need to push each other to be better. I’m grateful for women like Sipho Mazibuko, who help women achieve their dreams. She is rare, and I pray that we have more women like her so we can go far as women,” she said.

Now, as she embarks on a new chapter by enrolling for her law degree at a Zambian university, Bishop Felicia continues to defy the odds. As she steps onto the runway of life, she does so with grace, style, and a belief in the power of dreams.