Online Reporter
Judith Phiri
Bulawayo Bureau
ZIMBABWE has once again affirmed its reputation as one of Africa’s leading centres of leather craftsmanship after two of its designers secured places among the top 15 finalists of the Real Leather Stay Different Africa Talent Showcase 2026.
The two finalists, Ms Nompumelelo Marilyn Samambgwa and Mr Owen Taruvinga, are representing the country at one of the world’s premier competitions that celebrates sustainable leather design, innovation, craftsmanship and responsible production.
While calling for fellow Zimbabweans to support them with more votes, the duo hopes to scoop the People’s Choice Award.
For Ms Samambgwa, this year’s achievement marks an inspiring return to the RLSD stage after taking a break from last year’s competition.
Her comeback continues an outstanding RLSD journey that has already earned continental recognition.
She captured the People’s Choice Award in 2023, was crowned the Footwear Category Winner in RLSD Africa 2024, and now returns as one of Africa’s Top 15 Finalists in 2026, an extraordinary testament to her consistency, creativity, and leadership in leather design.
Her latest collection, “Tethered Earth by Bu Kalanga”, combines locally sourced Zimbabwean leather, reclaimed walnut wood, and intricate leather macramé to create luxury footwear that seamlessly blends structural innovation with radical sustainability.
“The collection demonstrates how locally sourced materials and traditional craftsmanship can produce contemporary products capable of competing on the global stage,” said the organisers, the Centre for Business Innovation and Training in Nairobi, Kenya.
Joining her is Mr Taruvinga, whose remarkable concept, “Vandura Heritage Boot,” draws inspiration from the Shona philosophy of transformation.
By repurposing discarded tyres and leather offcuts into durable heritage footwear, Owen showcases the immense potential of circular design while celebrating Zimbabwe’s cultural heritage through the iconic Great Zimbabwe chevron motif.
“His concept demonstrates that sustainability, innovation, and timeless craftsmanship can coexist to create products built for both the African landscape and international markets,” read part of the statement.
Ms Samambgwa said she was very excited to be a part of the 2026 finalists for Africa and this marked her third time as a finalist in the competition.
“I was one of the only two Zimbabweans for the first competition that was in 2023, Nairobi, Kenya and I was the only Zimbabwean who came back with a trophy, which was the People’s Choice Award, when I did footwear in that year.
“Then in 2024, again, I was the only Zimbabwean representing the country in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where I also came back with a trophy as the best footwear, continental footwear designer. So this being my third year, I’m very excited,” she said.
“It has pushed my creativity; I feel close to the limits and it has really changed how I carry on my design process. I think the past two competitions that I entered were like a learning process.”
Ms Samambgwa said she was looking forward to the production process and because this time she was more experienced, she could improve and work better on her craftsmanship as well as the quality of the product.
“So for this year, I’m actually working with local artisans. I have collaborated with a macrame artist and a wood artist. I have also collaborated with a very big, celebrated footwear manufacturer in Bulawayo, where I will be doing my production because I actually want to bring out the best quality products,” she added.
“This will allow me to show that Zimbabwean designers and footwear manufacturers can actually produce world-standard shoes, be it for males and females. So the winning piece, which is what I applied for the competition, is a ladies’ shoe, which is a high-heeled boot, very creative and it is more of wearable art.”
Mr Taruvinga said he was also excited about being a finalist in the prestigious RLSD Africa Leather Showcase.
“It also shows that you are on the right trajectory as a footwear designer and your ideas are relevant to the demands of the fashion industry through innovations and transforming the available resources to come up with something that is sustainable and that has longevity,” he said.
“My ‘Vandura Heritage Boot’ concept was inspired by the Shona philosophy ‘Kuvandura’, meaning transforming. So this project is upcycling used/ discarded automobile tyres as the outsole and full-grain leather offcuts for the boot upper. The leather offcuts shall be used to tell the Zimbabwean iconography and stories.”
Mr Taruvinga said the boot shall be welted and employ traditional stitchdown methods of attaching the outsoles and leather upper.
The project promotes recycling and reusing materials to make sustainable footwear, while not compromising on performance and quality of the final product.
