Entrepreneurship: Thombozi creates clothes
The Malawi fashion scene has over the years gone through a metamorphosis. At the turn of the millennium, the mushrooming of fashion designers was evident.
One of the popular creations that revolutionalised Malawi’s traditional attire was Khalidwe Wear, co-owned by Zimbiri Zimbiri, Wandumi Mwakisulu and Wachituta Thombozi.
Today, Thombozi is setting himself apart, venturing into a solo project, Kuwala Creations.
Sitting in his shop near the Blantyre Bus Stands, Thombozi is optimistic of a brighter future.
“This business will definitely grow for it has potential. Right now, we are diversifying into other attires. We are not confining ourselves to traditional wear,” said Thombozi.
He says they are producing worksuits, curtains, suits and other customer-specified designs, among other things. Thombozi says they have even been contracted by some choirs to make uniforms.
Yet, traditional attire remains the core of their business, he says.
“It seems more and more people want these traditional dresses. I hope in future, all designers and other Malawians will sit together and identify what should be Malawi’s traditional dress. At the moment, you find many people asking for Kenyan or Nigerian designs. I wish we got to that level,” said Thombozi, who is also a musician with three albums to his credit.
Thombozi says soon, Kuwala Creations will start weaving basket chairs. They are also into wedding and corporate event decorations.
As an entrepreneur, he says, a number of problems stand in his way. On the one hand, machinery for tailoring are imported and are expensive, according to him.
“With such expensive machinery, it is quite difficult to make it on the market. Besides, although so much cotton is cultivated in Malawi, the price of our raw material, zitenje, is too high,” said Thombozi.
He gets the zitenje from Mapeto, Lambat’s Variety Shop and Toppers.
Thombozi says his time at Khalidwe taught him one or two things.
“I look forward to a day our line will break on to the international market. I believe in standards and that some day we will be a powerhouse in fashion and design,” said Thombozi.
On short term plans, Thombozi says the clothing line is eyeing promotion at several platforms, including the Lake of Stars where it is dressing some musicians and at the Sand Music Festival at Sunbird Livingstonia Beach where they will exhibit their clothes.
“It is a rare chance to be known. I owe a lot to my Khalidwe background but being a musician has also helped me understand the world of fashion better,” says Thombozi.
