Remarkable shoe designing talent

Malawi happens to be a home to talented young people who stand a chance to contribute to her social and economic prosperity through their untapped talents and entrepreneurship skills. One of such gifted youths is 28-year-old Chimwemmwe Mwenyemasi, who is into designing and producing fashionable shoes that have become talk of the town.

Malawi’s fashion industry is mostly occupied by clothing designers who have penetrated the international market with her typical African designs. And Mwenyemasi is another potential international item whose break through is just in the making as far as his creative works are anything to go by.

As creative as he is, Mwenyemasi designs and produces both ladies and men’s footwear. He is flexible as sometimes allows clients to decide on their preferred choice of fashion. He has produced occasional shoes before for political parties, wedding and engagement ceremonies, and models. He has also worked with models who paraded at this year’s Malawi Fashion Week (Fama).

Mwenyemasi’s work has not only impressed locals, but also foreigners who have expressed interest to work with him. He said he has interacted with potential business persons through his networking and exhibitions in different places.

Currently Mwenyemasi operates from his home in Kachere Township, Blantyre where he has a small workshop.

“I currently operate from home because I don’t have a permanent structure. But I normally take my products to clients and other markets,” said Mwenyemasi, who uses his late father’s machine to make shoes.

He said his late father instilled entrepreneurship in him in order to prepare him become self-reliant. And this is exactly what he is currently doing.

“I earn a living through making shoes. Remember, the job market out there cannot accommodate everyone,” said Mwenyemasi who educate as well as look after his other family members.

Meanwhile, Mwenyemasi has caught the attention of World Band Youth Network and discussions are underway to get his business profile, which is touted as innovative and sustainable for youth development.

However, Mwenyemasi bemoaned lack of appreciation of local talent among many Malawians as a major factor hindering the development of his talent. He said some Malawians have used and dumped him without seeing benefiting from their deals.

“I was born to do this. But some Malawians came just to use and dump me. But this time around I am keeping my fingers crossed that World Band Youth Network will help to share my story with a community of people who are willing to invest in my talent,” said Mwenyemasi.

He said time has come for Malawians to start appreciating local talent and industries. He said he is inspired by successful local business persons such as Eddie Kalua of Combine Cargo, Mulli of Mulli Brothers Limited, Mike Trading’s Mike Chilewe and Mike Mlombwa of Country Wide Car Hire, among many others. n