adminPeter Matika Senior Leisure Reporter
LOCAL rugby player — Tichaona Musariri — is on the verge of carving a life beyond the rugby field, as he has ventured into furniture designing and manufacturing. Musariri, a humble guy designs and manufactures wooden furniture, through his backyard shop — Divine Designs and Fittings. He manufactures items ranging from beds, shop fittings, fitted wardrobes, display fittings, TV stands and coffee tables to mention.
Musariri, who plays flank or hooker on the rugby field, was just getting into full flow in his interview with Sunday Leisure about his business venture when he was abruptly interrupted by one of his “friends”.
Winking apologetically, the humble 29-year-old exchanges a few pleasantries with the “friend” who stumbled across the interview at one of the shops he supplies at Haddon and Sly Centre in Bulawayo.
After a moment or two it became clear that while Musariri’s cordiality is genuine, the person he was talking to wasn’t a friend but a rugby fan who felt he knew Musariri and decided to greet the player who has played for teams such as Highlanders, Western Panthers, Old Miltonians and Busters. Although he had and still has a distinguished sporting career Musariri feels that he has a life beyond the rugby field, which he says lacks sponsorship.
“I started in 2014; I never really acquired any vocational training for this. One could say this is a natural talent. I actually come up with designs off the top of my head, while some of the designs come from customers, coupled with a few modifications,” he said.
Despite a physical appearance that wouldn’t really intimidate a lightweight boxer, Musariri said he still could whack a nudge on the field despite trying to balance the two.
“I really haven’t hung my boots. I am just trying to make ends meet, as there really isn’t money in this sport at club level,” he said.
Musariri said he loved the sport but needed to have a job to fall back on when he retires.
“Rugby is part of my life, I just need to have something that can sustain me and family when I retire from it,” he said.
He said since venturing into “wood” he has manufactured and designed products that have seen even big companies such as Econet win an award for the best stand, which he made last year.
“I did the Econet stand for last year’s ZITF, which saw them winning a prize for it. I also do work for companies such as Esats Stationery and several other shops at Haddon and Sly,” said Musariri.
He envisions himself as one of the biggest entrepreneurs in future in his life after rugby.
“I want to be a huge success and be considered one of the most successful entrepreneurs to emerge from this city. I am capable of doing that. Presently I work with three other people, whom I want to climb the ladder with,” said Musariri.
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