09 Jan 2023

Small-scale tailors who used to supply school uniform to schools and individuals are crying foul after large retailers were engaged to supply the same.

In an interview, one of the tailors, Mr Kagiso Baipidi of Package Field in Gaborone said the move had affected them drastically as they were currently experiencing low business.

“After the decision, we had to leave uniform supply completely because large retailers buy overseas in bulk and sell at a cheaper price, so it killed competition for us small men,” he said.

Mr Baipidi explained that small tailors bought material and made profit on labour, while retailers had a chance to cut on labour as they bought ready-made products, thereby gaining advantage.

“Most of them sell the final product at a price that we buy raw materials at. Although individuals are not prohibited from buying from us, they would obviously go where it is cheaper,” he said.

He therefore pleaded with government to protect the textile industry the same way it did horticultural farmers.

Another tailor, Ms Dineo Maswabi of Tom and Dee said she used to supply Masa and Bophirima primary schools, but now depended on random individual buyers.

“Since the decision, business has been low. We normally started tailoring in December for January, but this time we could not because of this issue,” she said.

She said due to the current shortage of uniform at the recommended retailers, parents were running back to them, but unfortunately found them unprepared as they did not have any ready- made uniform.

“We are currently working under pressure, and we can only take in small orders since schools are re-opening January 10. This has put us under pressure and might even compromise quality,” she said.

She however said despite the decline, they still had enough business to survive.

“I have never seen business so low in my more than 10 years in this industry. The past years have been good during uniform season, which is from December to February, then winter which is May to July,” she said.

She added that she heard late of an arrangement with Choppies that requested small tailors to group themselves and supply uniform.

Raw material supplier, Ms Onkemetse Othusitse of Chrislypa Fabrics at the African Mall however, indicated that for her, it was business as usual.

“We have not been affected at all. Our customers still come in usual numbers for uniform material. The only problem we have is an internal one as we have been having a challenge in meeting demand,” she said. ENDS