Online Reporter
Michael Tome, Business Reporter
MEMBERS of the Matabeleland North Handicrafts Cluster have praised ZimTrade for spearheading the cluster initiative, which has significantly transformed the livelihoods of many individuals through the basketry export business.
The cluster comprises approximately 642 women from 14 wards across the province’s districts, including Tsholotsho, Hwange, Binga, Lupane and Nkayi.
This initiative has provided a lifeline for local women, enabling them to produce and export their crafts globally, thereby improving their quality of life.
The initiative has been a game-changer for this women-led sector, integrating participants into the mainstream economy and enhancing their export capacity.
Through ZimTrade, the national trade development and promotion organisation, the cluster has improved productivity, competitiveness, and scaled up its export business by accessing new markets.
ZimTrade has played a pivotal role in facilitating direct export channels to European countries and the Americas, moving away from reliance on middlemen, which was previously the norm.
Direct exports have not only eliminated the disadvantages of using intermediaries but have also phased out barter trade practices.
Plans are in place to train new weavers to meet growing demand and introduce innovative designs to diversify offerings in the export market.
The Matabeleland North Handicrafts Cluster has united skilled artisans whose baskets, carvings, and textile-based crafts are now highly sought after on the global stage.
“Many women are now involved in basketry, and it has proven to be a viable source of income. We work with around 642 women from 14 wards. This initiative has helped reduce the migration of our people to neighbouring countries in search of menial jobs.
“It has been a journey, especially with elderly women. The change has been remarkable — some have built decent homes, while others can now afford to send their children and grandchildren to school,” said Lupane Women Centre Director, Mrs Hildigarde Mufukare.
The cluster’s current focus is on youth inclusion and expansion, aiming to engage more young people to bring fresh energy and ideas into the sector, while ensuring its long-term sustainability.
Increasing youth participation is expected to contribute to the sector’s growth and inject new perspectives and creativity into the arts and crafts industry.
“The cluster’s focus now is to ensure that more young people become involved. We want to expand our export capacity with beautiful pieces that can be marketed globally,” she said.
This expansion will boost exports and economic opportunities, ultimately contributing to Zimbabwe’s economic growth and development.
ZimTrade Southern Region Manager, Mrs Jacqueline Nyathi, said the organisation chose to focus on the handicrafts cluster in Matabeleland due to its existing activity and potential, as revealed by a mapping study.
“As an organisation, we adopted the cluster initiative to encourage greater community participation in exports. For Matabeleland North, we focused on the handicrafts cluster because our mapping study showed significant activity in arts and crafts,” said Mrs Nyathi.
Since February, the cluster has exported orders worth over US$30 000 to destinations including Spain, the Netherlands, Greece, Japan (Osaka) and South Africa.
ZimTrade is supporting the cluster in refining craftsmanship, improving finishing techniques, and aligning products with international market standards.
This is being done with assistance from experts under PUM, a Netherlands-based volunteer organisation that provides business advice to small and medium enterprises and coaching for entrepreneurs in developing countries.
