18 Oct 2018

Mr Joseph Mandiwana is a determined individual who has nothing of his own except expertise in leather works.

Mr Mandiwana, 47, designs shoes of note for men without any piece of machinery whatsoever.

All he has for his shoe-making project are pieces of leathers that he cuts at home and from there he goes to some of his friend’s factory in Francistown to join together the pieces so as to come up with his end products.

In an interview with BOPA, Mr Mandiwana said he was always positive in his thinking and hopeful that one day he would have all what he needed at his disposal.

“I am very passionate about leather works, what disheartens me most is that I have no machinery and I also have no financial means to purchase them,” he said.

Mr Mandiwana is thankful to his friend who assists him with machinery.That is why he does not sit, fold his arms and cry over his problems.

“Normally I cut off the desired patterns at home and there after I go to a friend’s workshop so as to sew and join those pieces together,” he said.

Recently he visited the Ministry of Youth Empowerment Sport and Culture Development (MYSC) in Francistown so as to seek relevant advice and he was assisted accordingly.

“I am aware that MYSC assist youth aged up to 35 years financially , but I never had any doubts that they can give me relevant information and advise on how to go about so as to meet other entities that will help me out despite my age,” he said.

He said he was advised to visit the gender affairs department, Citizen Entrepreneur Development Agency and others entities.

Mr Mandiwana was also advised to always take part in entrepreneurial trade fairs and market days so as to showcase his products and have a chance to meet other entities that have means to empower upcoming entrepreneurs.“The advice I got at MYSC really opened my eyes.

I had always had wrong information that gender affairs only assist entrepreneurs who work as a group, but ever since I visited their offices I now have an insight about their services,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr Mandiwana said he developed interest in leather works after bench-marking in Zimbabwe, saying while in Zimbabwe he learnt aspects of cutting and joining pieces of leather.

He also learnt drawing decorative patterns on the leather. ENDS