adminLloyd Mwale in KADOMA
FOR 37-year-old Pedro Painola, the sky is the limit.
The Kadoma entrepreneur, who came from a very poor background, has defied the odds to come up with his own clothing label – Mapisarema.
That is his nickname in this mining town.
He said had it not been for the generosity of one of Kadoma’s leading businessmen, his dream would have suffered a stillbirth.
“I had a vision of a clothing label since my school days but I didn’t have the resources to make it a reality,” he told H-Metro.
“After my family relocated to Kadoma, I met Kadoma businessman, Major Meja, and I revealed my vision to him that I wanted to introduce my own clothing label.
“He decided he would help me.”
He added:
“When I met Major Meja, I didn’t have a name for the clothing label with me and I tried various names but most did not appeal to me as suitable ones. But, one day I was reading my bible, in the book of Psalms, and Psalms 86, verse 7, which says ‘in the day of my trouble I will call upon thee, for thou will answer me.’
“This verse struck my mind and I jotted down the name Psalms as the name of my own clothing label. I changed it to a vernacular language, Mapisarema, that’s how my clothing label found its name.”
Pedro said his clothing label was in demand in the Kadoma fashion circles and he has been receiving a lot of inquiries.
“Mapisarema clothing range is in demand in Kadoma and the surrounding areas with interest coming from as far as Bindura.
“With such demand, I have turned it into a unisex clothing range and I have included T-shirts, tracksuit and formal trousers.
“Soon, I will introduce other clothing ranges to satisfy the market.”
Born in Chitungwiza, Pedro did his primary education in Harare and completed his high school studies in Kadoma.
He honed his skills when he worked as a tailor with Agriseed and Arda.
He is a qualified forklift driver.
Online Reporter