MARANGE – When Tendai Chiadzwa (42) – a father of five – lost his job in 2008 at a Mutare-based garment company due to incapacitation, he was naturally dejected.
In 2008, at the height of one of Zimbabwe’s worst economic meltdowns that saw the government fail to create sufficient employment opportunities to empower a restive and disgruntled populace, the world seemed to have crumbled around Chiadzwa.
Despite being a holder of a cutting and designing certificate, he fell victim to the vagaries of the economy, which at that time seemed beyond
redemption.
Chiadzwa then took the decision to relocate to his home village in Marange, where he endured a life
full of pain and poverty.
In the years to come, Chiadzwa turned to menial jobs for salvation.
But finally, a ray of hope dawned on Chiadzwa in 2017 after the Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC), through its sewing project that is part of the company’s social responsibility, gave him a job.
Through sheer hard work and vast experience as a tailor and designer,
Chiadzwa has now become part of a select group of designers comprising of 119
beneficiaries in the Marange sewing project.
“We started off being five in 2017. We
had among us people who had the knowledge and expertise in sewing.
“Along the way, others with a passion in sewing joined us and we taught them.
“They now possess great knowledge and experience,” Chiadzwa said.
The sewing factory, which was commissioned in 2018, makes uniforms
for the ZCDC as well as do school uniforms for sale at
various schools in the community.
“As a group, we are very happy with this project as it has sustained us and others in our community.
“We are very happy with this income generating project,” Chiadzwa said.
ZCDC spokesperson Sugar Chagonda
said the sewing factory at Chiadzwa had empowered the whole community.
“ZCDC has trained 109 beneficiaries that are already benefiting from
the sewing project which is manufacturing garments and school uniforms for the ZCDC, among others,” he said.
Chagonga said the ZCDC purchased 35 different types of sewing machines.
“As a company, we are happy with this approach which is certainly
bearing fruit.
“We are happy with the approach as we make sure
communities benefit from these projects,” added Chagonda.
“Corporate social responsibility forms part of our main strategic
pillars as an organisation.
“ZCDC holds in high regard the balance
between community, nation and corporate stakeholder interests in the
execution of its business,” he said.
The ZCDC sewing project is an inspiration to many in the community.
The success it has enjoyed has brought hope to the Marange
