Adding to basket
“Chihera” is a Shona clan name based upon the Eland whose brothers or fathers are “Mhofu”. Members of the clan are well known for working hard and are highly respected. The Chihera group consists of three members of the same totem (zvihera) which can be translated as “the sacred”. Jesca, a hardworking widow, aged 41 is a cross border trader restocking from South Africa and supplying small shops in Zimbabwe since 2009. Before, she used to be a dressmaker selling her products in Mozambique then Lesotho. Business was flourishing, crossing the border five or six times a month.
After prosperous adventures she managed to make good profits which she then used to put a dura-wall at her homestead and re-furnish her home. A better life is what we all wish for; and she has been working extra hard to provide for her family. She managed to send her children to boarding schools and her siblings too and bought a car. However, due to the economic hardships that have bedevilled Zimbabwe, 2013 began to be yet another turning point in her life as many people flooded into the informal business sector giving her stiff competition. Jesca broadened her products ranging from tracksuits, traveling bags, satchels and kitchenware and other goods that were market dominant during the time.
Her business continued to decline, as she said, “my husband fell ill, could not do any work and I was the only one working for the family. This also hindered my business operations as I had to take good care of him simultaneously and pay his medical bills”.
However, this did not stop Jesca, strong like the Eland even with all these hardships she is still in business. She is now operating with less capital. She needs $500 to inject into her business so that it gets vibrant. “Gore rino tichadzidza zvakawanda” (meaning 2015 is a year of learning) sums up her thanks to Thrive’s trainings which have taught her how to keep financial records and plan effectively. With the loan she will restock with household products to sell from her stall.
In this group: Jesca, Susan, Epiphania
