adminAshley Mujoma
TAILORS in Harare say they are facing competition from most local schools that are selling uniforms at their premises.
A survey conducted by H-Metro showed that most schools have come up with policies that do not permit uniforms purchased from elsewhere.
Over the years, tailors and other school uniform traders would make a “killing” before some schools opted to stock and sell uniforms to old and their new students.
Speaking to H-Metro, one of the vendors, Takunda Muchenje, said most schools have thrown them out of business.
“This move has affected most uniform vendors because it has reduced the number of parents buying and promoting us.
“Over the years, we have not sold so much and to make matters worse, schools are opening next week yet we still have a lot of stock, “ Muchenge.
Similar sentiments were echoed by Chipo Ncube, who said the new policy had put them out of business.
“We have been affected since tailors with connections with school heads or authorities are getting opportunities to supply them.
“I don’t know if it is possible for responsible authorities to put laws that stop schools from forcing parents to buy uniforms from them. I believe parents should have freedom to buy wherever they want,” she said.
Another vendor, Peter Mwenza, told H-Metro that a change of uniform designs and colours by schools had also affected them.
“We are also affected by the way schools are changing their school uniform designs and colours.
“This has a great impact on our business as we make great losses,” he said
Online Reporter