Savilles: Legendary tailors close shop

Roselyne Sachiti-Health, Society Editor

When his father Jackison Magan and his two uncles opened their family business Savilles, along Gordon Avenue now George Silundika in 1960, Pravinlal Magan (79) did not know he would take over the business and watch it grow till its end.

Working as a civil servant in the attorney general’s office where he did reconciliation of accounts, he left his job to join the family business in 1963.

His father and uncles had parted ways after working together for three years and an heir to the business was needed.

From this day on Magan and his wife have worked in the shop, dressed former Presidents, Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governors, business executives like Nigel Chanakira among many other high profile clients.

They, too, have dressed ordinary people who have also treated as kings. To the couple, the customer always remained first.

On September 30 this year, Magan and his wife Henlata (73) will close Savilles forever.

Speaking to The Saturday Herald Lifestyle, as they attended to their last customers, Magan spoke of the journey and transformation of Harare.

He recalled how back in the day, they imported everything from shoe to head from the United Kingdom.

He revealed that a few manufacturers had started making clothes and shoes in Southern Rhodesia. 

At the same time, he added, the Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI), a statement adopted by the Cabinet of Rhodesia on November 11 1965, announcing that Rhodesia that had governed itself since 1923, now regarded itself as an independent sovereign state.

“Sanctions hit the country meaning shippers from UK were forced to not do business with Southern Rhodesia.

“We started buying everything local. The local industries started flourishing after UDI,” he said.

Magan explained that when he joined his father’s business, the shop had six tailors and two salesmen. 

Back then, his father was a tailor and the shop specialized in sewing custom made suits, making them an instant hit with clients.

“We would stock up materials, took measurements, would cut and we had tailors to do individual fittings. We no longer do custom made suits, I stopped a long time ago,” he said.

With generations of tailors in his family, his great grandfather, grandfather and father, it was easy to catch up as he dined, everyday, with his mentors.

“I learnt a bit of sewing then stopped. We now sell ready-made suits and men’s clothes, but do the necessary adjustments.”

He recalled how none of the shops that started business the same time or soon after him still exist along George Silundika. 

“Leeyah Brothers and Miltons Fashions both came after me and are all gone,” he said.

From the time he opened shop to date, George Silundika and First Street, he said, have experienced a complete turnaround. 

The first non-white junior Mayor in 1962, he is quite concerned by the state of Harare.

First, business owners and shops have changed, the cleanliness of the city changed.

“You have a skip bin on the corner that always overflows, they have cut a tree there and its two weeks and the branches on the ground have not been cleared as yet. Cars are washed on the streets, treble parking,” he bemoaned.

Magan said for the past two years, he has counted 16 potholes littered between Harare main post office and George Silundika Avenue.

“This part of street is in the heart of Harare. I have raised the issue with the City of Harare but nothing has been done to solve this. It is sad,” he said.

He is happy that the clients people he has served and looked after are today Chief Executives (CEOs) and managing directors of big corporates.

To get such high profile customers and also regular customers in an industry where people sell almost similar clothes, Mr Magan said he took special attention to each and every customer who walked into their shop.

“My motto in business is the customer is supreme. 

“Because of that I have people come regularly back to me,” he added.

Now that they are closing shop, his clients are sad, they want answers.

“They have asked me why I am doing it, what they will do in my absence, why I can’t carry on. 

“The answer to all this I am now retiring. My children cannot carry on with the business as two are living abroad and one here, but busy with work.”

He added 

“My name goes with me. In my heart, I feel anyone else running under that name will not do justice to the way I operated.”

While there are emotions involved in closing the business, looking forward and getting on in life, Mr Magan and his wife are both in good health and want leave when they still can.

“There is no surety in life. If something happens, rather than give the burden to someone else to wind up, I would rather do it when I can,” he noted.

He said the last day will be heartbreaking.

“Finally locking up and taking the last steps after operating the business for such a long time will break my heart. But, nothing lasts forever.”

Magan said his wife has been geared for the final lap in the shop.

 He says they hope to spend time with their family, travel to see their children and grandchildren.

He also said they have been involved in the activities of the Hindu community and hopes to continue to do so more in retirement.

“The only time my wi9rfe and I have not been at work is when we locked up and took our annual holidays. 

“If health permitted we were always in this shop.”

In his 60 years running the business, he remembers only two difficult customers, but none so bad to mention by name or incident.

“I will miss talking to my clients who are in high authority in the financial sector. Having general chats. Some would come by the shop to just have a chat even if they were not buying anything on that particular day. They would just ask how are things, what about this etc?”

His wife Henlata said they met in 1966 and have been together ever since.

“I am originally from Kenya. I came here with my mum and we met and got married. It was an arranged marriage, like our parents had arranged everything it was just a matter of meeting each other,” she divulged.

Walking the journey with her husband has been interesting and exciting.

She said her husband initially opened a shop for her on Moffat street and ran it alone for seven years before closing up to join him when her father in law retired. 

In Savilles shop, she too, served customers and would also do alterations.

“All the clients also know me very well. Initially we never thought about closing. In the last two years, with Covid-19 starting our kids we should retire. 

“I am glad my husband decided himself what he wanted to do. It is sad in a way. It is also good for us because we are getting at an age we should rest. We can spend time with our family,” she added.

As she speaks, she breaks down and a stream of tears flowing and disturbing the fairness of her skin.

“I will miss the customers, the sewing everything,” she said her voice cracking as she tries to control emotions that had taken over her. 

She hopes the person who takes over the shop will run it well, whatever area they will be in.

“We wish them success,” she said.

Their longest serving employee Professor Madhobhi (54) has been working with the couple for 30 years.

He is also retiring and wants to go home and rest.

He said working with the couple has been exciting.

“We worked as a team everyday. Some business owners would tell their employees they were the bosses, but the Magans never said that to me. 

“We were always in good books,” he said.

When they lock the doors on their final day in the shop, Madhobhi said he will take it easy. To him this will be the end of a story.