Online Reporter
Business Reporter
MASHAVA Arts Cluster has made its first major shipment of stone sculptures to the Netherlands, marking a breakthrough for Zimbabwe’s arts and crafts export sector.
The development highlights the growing success of efforts to connect rural economies directly with international markets.
The shipment follows a successful buyer engagement facilitated by the national trade promotion and development body, ZimTrade, after a Netherlands-based arts and crafts products buyer visited the Mashava Arts Cluster to assess the quality and export potential of locally produced stone sculptures. Following the visit, the Mashava arts and crafts products were improved to meet the export requirements.
The development represents a significant milestone for the Masvingo-based cluster, which had previously exported only small volumes to some European union countries due to limited access to international buyers.
The latest export is expected to substantially increase foreign currency earnings for local sculptors by creating direct links between producers and overseas buyers, eliminating intermediaries who traditionally purchased artworks at low prices before exporting them for higher returns.
The breakthrough also demonstrates the impact of ZimTrade’s Cluster Development Programme, which seeks to integrate rural communities and small-scale producers into mainstream export markets through export-led growth.
Mashava Arts Cluster comprises sculptors and artists specialising in Zimbabwe’s renowned stone carvings, products that continue to attract growing international demand because of their uniqueness, craftsmanship and artistic value.
Mashava Arts and Crafts managing director, Mr Michael Makoni, welcomed the development, saying direct access to international buyers would significantly improve returns for local artists.
“The facilitation by ZimTrade in finding buyers from the Netherlands is a step in the right direction because it eliminates local middlemen who have been buying our products for very small amounts.
“We pray that ZimTrade continues finding us customers who come directly from Europe and other overseas markets,” said Mr Makoni. Sculptor Mr Dennis Bofu said the new export market would increase artists’ incomes because the Dutch buyer was purchasing products in bulk.
“I am happy about securing a buyer directly from the Netherlands because it increases our earnings. The buyer is taking our products in bulk compared to local buyers who only purchase a few pieces at a time,” said Mr Bofu.
Young sculptor Mr Daniel Mangari said the industry had become an important source of employment for many young people in Mashava.
“Sculpturing has changed my life because it has given me employment and a reliable source of income,” said Mr Mangari.
Ms Sithabile Mandonda, who washes and polishes the sculptures before export, said increased international demand would improve livelihoods for workers throughout the value chain.
“We hope this continues because more international customers mean more income for us. This will enable us to meet our basic needs and earn a decent living,” she said.
The artists spoke as they loaded the export container destined for the Netherlands.
During her recent visit to Mashava, Netherlands-based arts and crafts buyer Ms Cornelia Martha praised the quality of Zimbabwean stone sculptures, saying they possess a competitive advantage in global markets.
“The stone is unique compared to other materials or other types of stone from other countries,” she said.
“This unique stone, combined with the creativity of so many artists in Zimbabwe, makes it an interesting product for trade to the Netherlands and, in general, all over the world.”
The Mashava Arts Cluster is among a growing number of rural enterprises benefiting from ZimTrade’s export promotion initiatives, which aim to broaden participation in international trade while fostering inclusive economic development.
Beyond generating export earnings, direct engagement with overseas buyers will enable local artists to better understand international consumer preferences, improve product quality and produce export-ready sculptures that meet global market standards, strengthening Zimbabwe’s competitiveness in the international arts and crafts industry.
