Chronicle Editor
Tafadzwa Chibukwa, Chronicle Reporter
AFTER many years of being a vegetable vendor, Bulawayo’s Godwin Sairosi is now the proud owner of a shoes and clothing shop.
The 40-year-old Nkulumane 5 suburb resident had to make do with selling vegetables and kitchenware to put food on the table for his family. Born in a family of six children, with Sairosi being the second born, he had to take responsibility and provide for the family just like his elder brother had done.
Financial struggles of the Sairosi family saw the businessman ending his academic journey at O-level.
In an interview, Sairosi said he has lived the life of a hustler who sold anything that he laid his hands on. He has peddled dry vegetables at various places like the city centre vegetable market and Renkini. At some point, he sold kitchenware and household furniture.
“I have always been a hard worker, taught by my mother to hustle for money from as early as 18 years. After my O-level at Mandwandwe High School, I started going into the streets with my mother. We would sell dry vegetables like beans, groundnuts, umfushwa and dry stuff like amacimbi and kapenta among others,” said Sairosi.
He said he transformed and moved to other avenues of hustle whenever he was informed that the hustle would be more profitable.
“I was never centred on one type of hustle, to be honest, I was always on the lookout for new opportunities and openings of where to get money. Even if it meant I wouldn’t sleep hustling, I was content with the pressure,” he said.
Sairosi’s eye for money saw him operating at Egodini complex where he was selling shoes. The shoes he was selling proved to be popular and the profits he was realising pushed him to register and open a shop at the Haddon and Sly complex. The opening of the shop in 2012 resulted in the birth of Base Fashions.
“I have always told myself that I will be my person and have my businesses. Not only that, I feel like I am in the right industry because I love clothes, I love design and fashion as a whole which has made me survive in this industry. If it were possible, I would come up with my fashion brand,” said Sairosi.
He said he aims to expand his business countrywide and have his name known for having the biggest fashion shops in the country.
Purchasing his clothes and shoes from local designers and brand owners and also from outside the country, Sairosi has managed to dress up several Bulawayo people.
“Since I opened my shop, most of my customers have always appreciated my services and returned to buy again. Most of them have always admired the way I conduct business. I treat everyone fairly and talk to my clients with a smile on my face to persuade them. I believe the customer is king and they deserve quality treatment,” said Sairosi.
From his business, Sairosi has managed to send his 15-year-old daughter to school and also build a house in Nkulumane suburb.
Being an entrepreneur and someone who started as a vendor, he is used to the ups and downs that happen in business. He said he is glad to have had a vending background which taught him how to tackle the challenges that come with owning a business. — @Sagepapie14
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