Zim’s unacknowledged export

Tafadzwa Zimoyo Lifestyle Senior Writer
There is a place in Harare that has a reputation of being open for business 24/7 and it is said that anything you require can be procured, for a price of course, and in some cases, as long as you are not too concerned with where the good might have come from. Everything happens there, and it happens fast.

Cellphones, car parts, weaves, clothes, fruits and food and whatever else you want you will find it in Mbare, the oldest high-density suburb in Harare.

In spite of being stereotyped as the home of criminals, Mbare has brought more good than harm to Harare and the country.
It has played its share in the business development of the marginalised people, giving a gateway to income generation through unorthodox, creative and just plain wonderful ways.

Siyaso, Mbare Musika Market and Mupedzanhamo have created a host of entrepreneurs of all levels.
Yet the story of most of the people whose labours fuel the trade that gives sustenance to thousands remains largely untold.
One such line is the trade in migoti, the humble cooking sticks.

When other exporters are consulted by decision-makers, no one realises the presence of these forex earners as they quietly go about their day-to-day lives.

And as with all value chains, the trade has its own food chain with the labourers at the bottom making the least out of what is reputed to be a huge export business.

On the bottom rung are the vapostori carvers, simple men yet skilled artisans whose skill is passed down through generations without any of them ever passing through the doors of a vocational training centre.

John Nyekete is typical of the male followers of the Johanne Marange Apostolic Faith Church with his clean shaven head and a bushy beard.

The 43-year old carver, who also sells his own wares, says he did not consciously cultivate the art of making cooking sticks.
“It is just talent within,” the 43-year old vendor said.

Nyekete said he ventured into the business in 2006 in an attempt to fend for his family and he admits that he has been earning a living through it.

“We are situated along Fourth Avenue in Mbare and we make our wares in the middle of the road because we have no place to go. I have been in the business for the past seven years,” he said.

He says at times the going has been tough, but his business is growing gradually.
“We have different types of customers from individuals who want a single stick to the major clients who want bulk orders at a discount. Some of these bulk buyers are prominent cross-border traders whose names I need to keep private to protect my customer base.

“They come in their top-of-the-range cars for hundreds of units at 20cents each. I don’t know how much they will sell them for abroad. I used to go to South Africa long back, selling my own wares but the sums did not add up so now I am content with supplying those who know the corners,” he said.

Nyekete says his customers take his wares to places like Dubai, Nigeria and UK where he believes that his cooking sticks retail at between US$3 and US$5 each.

Silas Chidavaenzi (31) who also carves cooking sticks shared similar sentiments.
He further highlighted lack of resources and support as major challenges facing the carvers.

“I think ‘Mapositori’ are neglected when it comes to business development. If you go to any ghetto now you will find mapositori either engaging in pottery or carving cooking sticks.  They operate in open spaces, public not specialised industries. Yet we are playing our part in keeping the economy running at this point when jobs in the formal sector are just for a lucky few.

“If we can do so much with so little what can we achieve with a bit more support? The policymaker should think about that,” he said.
Chidavaenzi estimated that in a bad month he will realise US$150 and in other months the income flow is just about enough to scrap together a basic living for the family which is more than most people are enjoying in the current economic hard times:

“We are earning a living through it. Our children are in school, our wives are happy and we too, so why not support us?
“Our business has no season, but it usually peaks during the festive season and when tourists flock into the country. Just the rains might affect the business,” he said.

The procurement of raw materials is another challenge of the business. Nyekete said they sometimes buy trees in Murehwa and Buhera.
“We use Muzhanje, Mubvumira and Mutezwa tree which is strong after being carved. The cooking sticks are then polished using sand paper before putting the ting wire using a jack plane and pliers,” he explained.

Nyekete says the team of four carvers makes more than 200 cooking sticks each day.
To support the carvers’ assertion that their sweat is producing nectar for others rather than these hewers of wood, one of their customers, a local business lady who spoke on condition of anonymity said she bought a house in Tynwald from profits accrued through the resale of cooking sticks.

“I started this business long back in 1998. I used to sell the sticks to cross-border traders at Road Port before opening a shop in Nigeria.
“There I trade in cooking sticks and wooden plates. I go to Johanne Masowe Apostolic Church and I have created employment in my church as many of the carvers know that they have confirmed sales for whatever they produce that is of acceptable standard,” she said.
The business-lady, who drives a Toyota Hilux twin cab, said people should use opportunities that are available to make it in life instead of always whining about how things are tough without making an effort.

“I don’t have a degree but I have travelled to Botswana, Dubai, and London selling cooking sticks.
“Yet you hear of graduates roaming the streets without any idea of what to do. What is the point of all that education if it does not make your mind stretch?” she queried.

She denied that middlemen are exploiting the “manufacturers” by offering them a pittance then reselling at exorbitant prices.
“It is business, use your brain,” she said.

“If we did not take the cooking sticks off their hands there would be nothing for them. How many times do you buy a cooking stick in a lifetime?

“By creating new markets we are adding value. And do not forget that we also have high expenses like travel and duty as well as board and other costs in those foreign countries.”