Sundaymail Editor
Tanyaradzwa Rusike
FOR some people, the death of a loved one triggers hopelessness, from which they struggle to recover.
However, when Kimberly Burombo lost her father, the grief she endured for years transformed her life and led her into a world she never imagined.
Although she is a trained chef, she is now a tombstone carver.
Apparently, she mastered the skill while making a gravestone to honour her late father.
While stone carving is dominated by men, her determination shaped her success.
“As the first-born in a family of three, I just felt obliged to honour my late father by erecting a tombstone on his grave. However, I was unemployed then and I just could not afford one. Growing up, the idea of becoming a stone carver never crossed my mind. But after my father’s death, I had to find a way.”
She started her own stone carving company in January 2020 and named it after her father, Tafadzwa Burombo.
It took her eight months to research and understand as much as she could about the stone-carving industry, but she did not have the capital to bankroll her dream.
“I had the idea to start up my own thing but I did not have enough information about stones, so I had to study and research about the industry for about eight months. To penetrate into the industry, I started off as a ‘middleman’ by buying the stones and reselling them.”
In a short space of time, she had raised enough capital to start her own company.
However, initially it was not easy to get clients because of the coronavirus and subsequent lockdowns, but she persevered.
“In realising that others might be in the same situation, I opened up my own space and made sure the prices were reasonable so that ordinary people could afford,” she said.
Because the job involves getting dirty and lifting and grinding heavy stones, few women are prepared to take it up.
Despite stiff competition in the male-dominated industry, Burombo has managed to overcome challenges that come her way.
Her company — Tafadzwa Memorial — is based in Aspindale, Harare.
“Very few women are into this line of business. Most men feel challenged and usually try to intimidate me.
“I have learnt to turn a deaf ear; I know what I want in life. Now some of them just see me as one of them.”
Burombo, who also looks after her two siblings, said she pockets a minimum US$1 000 per month.
Revenues can be much higher when business peaks. She currently has five employees and she has plans to expand.
“It has been only eleven months since I got into the industry. I have five employees who I pay on a monthly basis. Our stones range from US$300 upwards depending on the design. Clients have to pay 65 percent deposit and the balance when they collect their order.”
She believes her story will inspire other women. “One cannot wait to get a formal job because that might happen late or never happen at all. Determination is the best thing because once you have it, you can achieve anything. We were given dominion over everything by God and if we use that dominion, we will be able to achieve all we need.”
Burombo believes her supportive fiancé and family have played an important part in her success.
“Starting your own business, especially when you are young, is not easy. Sometimes I would be frustrated, and there was a time when I wanted to give up but the support I got from my circle saw me this far. My fiancé was there both financially and emotionally,” she said with a smile.
At home, she enjoys baking during her spare time and interacting on social media, which she also uses as a tool to market her business.
Online Reporter