adminPaidamoyo Bore recently in Victoria Falls
VICTORIA Falls sculptors are crying foul over their relocation to The Big Tree, which has affected their business.
The sculptors said there has been a marked decline in their earnings as they claim their customers were not aware of the new place.
Prior to their relocation, the sculptors conducted their business in town where they were accused of disturbing the free movement of tourists. The artists were also blamed for touting in the town, which wasn’t acceptable to the authorities in the country’s premier resort city.
“We were moved here because it was said that we were disturbing the peace of the visitors as well as littering the town.
“But, this has affected our business and our sales have dropped as well. When we operated in town, we were able to meet different customers each day and we could make a living out of it,” said Thabani Nkubalela, one of the sculptors.
He also complained there was no shade, and water facilities, at their working site.
“My plea is for the authorities to help us erect a shade so that our products are not affected by the sun or rain. We are also displaying the items on the ground, which is not good for them,” he said.
Thabani also said, per month, if one was lucky, they could only sell three or four items.
“If we were getting enough money, we could have put the water system for ourselves,” he added.
Thabani is not alone. Trevor Sibanda, another sculptor operating at the Big Tree, also expressed his concern over their relocation.
“This is a business which I have known since childhood because I was born in this town.
“We were earning a living when we were operating in town but, since the day we were brought here, things have changed.
“Especially, after this pandemic and we were hoping to make it since the tourism sector is being revived and we were hoping for the better but it looks like we are going the opposite way,” said Sibanda.
Online Reporter