Chronicle Editor
Flora Fadzai Sibanda, [email protected]
FOR the past two years, Trauma Chiwira spends her day sewing away in a shoe-making factory in Bulawayo’s industrial area, Kelvin.
While most would assume she is sewing dresses, Chiwira has defied the odds as she spends the day making shoes with her fellow male workers.
The female cobbler crafts leather formal shoes, sandals, school shoes and belts.
“My interest in making leather products grew in 2009 when I came back from South Africa where I had left looking for greener pastures. When I came back to Zimbabwe I initially found someone who taught me how to make crotchet shoes so that I could make a few cents from that and when I saw how easy it was for me I decided to do something a bit challenging which was leather value-addition at that time,” she said.
Chiwira enrolled at the leather institution in Belmont in 2008, where she learnt the art of shoe designing and sewing. After completing her course, she began crafting ladies’ sandals from her home.
Witnessing the positive reception of her work, she sought an experienced mentor to further enhance her skills. That’s when she crossed paths with her partner, Tongai Nyoni, who passionately shares his expertise in value addition with young people.
His knowledge stems from years of experience working in various prominent companies.
“I have been working with him since then. The reception from him has been really good, I have no complaints so far he treats me like an equal,” said Chiwira.
However, when she began, she encountered doubts from her customers. Some would inquire if she was truly confident in her craft.
“It’s not easy being in this field because there are people who will always look at you differently because you are a woman and doubt the work that you are doing.
It’s all about being resilient and standing your ground in what you do. And your good work speaks and creates networks for you,” she said.
The skilled cobbler shared that a significant challenge she faces is the procurement of leather raw materials at an affordable cost. This is crucial for her, as it would enable her to sell her products at a price that yields a substantial profit.
“There is currently a new craze among people where people prefer to buy shoes from China shops because they are cheaper.
So they no longer have value for leather and it becomes difficult if the leather product is also being sold at high prices.
This is why most people who are into the leather value chain end up aiming to export their products because that is where there is hope that we will be able to make profits.
However, that is also a challenge because getting export permits is also very expensive,” said Chiwira.
The dedicated cobbler expressed that, as part of her commitment to community service and giving back, she has been imparting the skill of leather shoemaking to young girls. To date, Chiwira has proudly mentored over 10 girls, nurturing a new generation of artisans.
“The numbers are not that big because society and the girls themselves don’t see this as a woman’s job.
Many often complain about how difficult it is to do the shoes and how dirty the job is. However I am hopeful that as years go by I will get more people on board who will come forward with the interest of learning,” said Chiwira. — @flora_sibanda
Online Reporter