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Tafadzwa Zimoyo recently in Kariba
Artefacts traders in Kariba have said business is still low due to restrictions on movements under Covid-19 lockdown regulations, but some foreign and local tourists have started returning to buy the irwares.
Although the small traders said they were slowly getting back to normalcy as the world adjusts to the pandemic, the going has not been easy over the past 18 months as they battled to eke out a living.
Some of the vendors are elderly women selling souvenirs such as bags, necklaces, bead-wear, walking sticks, key-holders, wallets, “Chitenge” clothing and hats.
They said most of them were vaccinated, and practised social distancing, promoted the wearing of masks and hand sanitising.
A visit to Kariba tourist office near the dam wall confirmed that some vendors have resumed their work and business is now picking up, albeit slowly.
In an interview, one of the traders, 60-year-old Ms Eunice Kashongambavu said she returned to work during the Heroes Day and Defence Force Day holidays when they opened the hub.
“I have been home for the past 18 months because of the Covid-19 lockdown and it has been difficult for me to survive.
“We were happy when we were told to resume our work on Heroes holiday and for now business is a bit low because few people are visiting the site.
“They are a bit sceptical because of the Covid-19 pandemic, but we are trying by all means to follow the Covid-19 protocols so we can do our business normally.”
Ms Kashongambabvu, who earns from living selling artefacts over the past 30 years, said besides returning to their usual spot, they were finding it difficult to stock some merchandise because some of their suppliers were still closed.
“Right now what we are selling is from last year and the good thing is that our merchandise is not perishable. We are finding it hard to get some of the merchandise because some of our suppliers are closed while others have been affected by Covid-19.
“We have resorted to being creative by engaging in painting, weaving, knitting and sewing.”
Ms Kashongambabvu, who lives in Kariba’s Batonga suburb, said some of the informal traders were not yet back because they were scared of the pandemic.
She said some had not realised the advantages of being vaccinated.
“In my community, it is still an issue as most people are still afraid to get vaccinated,” Ms Kashongambabvu said.
“I chose to get vaccinated because of my profession. I meet a lot of people, hence I should protect myself and also I encourage my friends here at our small hub to get vaccinated.
“We can’t sell our products via the virtual platforms as some had suggested. Have you considered that we are of the old age and technology is not our thing. We want the physical way of doing business we are used to.
‘‘Our children are of a different generation and some do not understand and appreciate what we are doing, and we understand them on that.”
Ms Kashongambabvu commended the Government for empowering youths in arts as that would go a long way in developing the society.
“It is high time as parents we accept and appreciate different talents of our children. Gone are the days when parents would force our children to rely on education only.
“Not every child is academically gifted. I even told mine to choose their careers wisely, and I support their choices.”
Online Reporter
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