Online Reporter
Trust Freddy-Herald Correspondent
WHEN most people think of a tiler, they often visualise a man covered in grout and a muddy work suit. The notion of a woman in this profession still seems unusual to many.
But 25-year-old Mitchell Kofi, better known as “Musikana wematiles (The Girl Tiler)” is shattering that image, proving that skill knows no gender in the traditionally male-dominated world of construction.
Based in Kariba, Batonga, she is among the few, if not the only, female tiler in her region, boldly smashing gender bias and driving change in a traditionally male-dominated industry.
Mitchell’s journey began in 2020.
After completing Form Four, she found herself home for three unproductive years. The inspiration to change her life came from a deeply personal place: Her child, now 5 years old and his brother.
After hitting a rough patch as a single mother at 20, a situation she was uncomfortable discussing, she decided to join her elder brother, Edgar Kofi , a renowned Zimdancehall artiste known as Echodem, who was also a skilled tiler.
“Just because I had nothing tangible to do after school, I ended up falling pregnant,” she said. “After I gave birth, I asked myself, what should I do to raise my child? So I decided to join my brother.”
The trade ran in the family, with her father also being a professional builder. “One day, I just decided to join my brother because I was tired of staying home . . . I decided to just go for it,” she said.
Mitchell spent two years honing her skills alongside Edgar. Five years later, she is a household name, mastering the nuances of the trade. “I now know the types of tiles and I choose the material to use based on the type of tiles I am going to use, whether it’s ceramic or porcelain tiles,” she added.
Tragically, her partnership with her brother was cut short.
Edgar died suddenly in June 2022 at the age of 26 after he collapsed. “Unfortunately, my brother died . . . It meant I had to go it alone, but during the first days, I would go with my father, a professional builder, until I started doing my own things,” Mitchell recounted.
Like many others in male-dominated industries, Mitchell felt the pressure to prove her knowledge. The crucial question was how to get her work seen. Mitchell realised her secret weapon was not a hammer or a trowel, but the device in her pocket: smartphone.
“I realised that I have my smart phone so I started taking videos of myself installing tiles and posting them,” she said. “The response was overwhelming. People were actually shocked because from the videos I posted, they could see that my works were not AI-generated, and clients started coming.”
Based in the resort town, Kariba, her geographical location has not been a barrier.
She skilfully uses her smart phone and social media to secure clients, with most bookings coming from towns like Chinhoyi and Karoi.
She is among the few young women, often referred to as Ama2k, using technology to drive change and income, unlike others who have gained notoriety for engaging in uncouth activities. “I am happy that people have now accepted me,” Mitchell said. “Back then, people would look down upon me, but now my works are speaking for themselves.”
Mitchell currently estimates her average monthly income at US$700, which is enough to provide for her child. She has her sights set higher, hoping to establish her own construction company within the next five years.
To the Kariba-born child, social media can be a powerful tool for women breaking into new fields. “My first video on TikTok of my works has over 200 000 views because it’s very rare for women to lay tiles. It’s more like news, it spreads faster,” she said.
A 2021 report by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research found that while construction jobs tend to pay higher wages and offer better benefits than many others, that don’t require a university degree, over four in 10 women in the trades considered leaving their jobs due to discrimination and harassment.
However, Mitchell has persevered. She implores other women not to look down upon themselves and to leverage technology to their advantage.
“Everything takes patience , at one point I wanted to quit but I took every criticism as an opportunity to grow,” she said. “As long as you want to do something, don’t be afraid that you are getting into a male-dominated area. If you have got skills, it’s actually an advantage because it can easily go viral . . . Your smart phone is not a toy; it can change your fortunes if utilised effectively.”
Mitchell is currently staying with her father and her little sister, who is in Form 1, after losing her mother, who died in February this year.
“It’s unfortunate that my mother also died this year. I am still staying with my father and we are helping each other.”
However, she is currently making waves on TikTok, showcasing her expertise in crafting modern bathrooms and kitchens, and beautifully tiling walls and floors with a mix of affordable and luxury tiles.
“Can I be your friend, mai vangu vakati titambe neshamwari dzinovaka . . . well done chomie,” @Mai vengirozi reacted to one of her posts. Another follower @SUNRISE said:” I wonder why videos like these don’t go viral asi kungoshama munhu yoooo anyway may the good Lord bless your hustle girl, keep rocking.”
One of her clients, Mr Edward Ruparanganda, said he is still amazed at how her brother passed on the skill to her.
“Mitchell is very talented,” he said. “When we needed a tiler for our shop in Kariba, I recommended her, but my wife had doubts. She brought in another male tiler who ended up messing up the job. We then decided to give Mitchell a chance, and the work she did was excellent. Now, whenever we need tiling work, we look for her. We’re even planning to have her install tiles in four more rooms.”
He also praised Mitchell’s demeanour, saying, “The way she carries herself is impressive. You might underestimate her if you see her in her work gear, but when she’s dressed up, you’d never guess she’s in construction.”
Mitchell’s father, Mr Masson Kofi, attributes his daughter’s success to treating his children equally. “My policy was that every child must have a skill,” he said. “I’d take Mitchell to construction sites, teaching her alongside my sons. People would question why I was exposing a girl to such work, but I didn’t let that deter me. In reality, I mentored her elder brother, and Mitchell drew inspiration from him. She learned everything alongside him.”
Mr Kofi believes gender shouldn’t dictate roles. “My message to parents is, don’t underestimate your daughters. Teach them everything, and they’ll excel even in male-dominated fields.”
