Buchedo, Rosinah, Sicelosenkosi and Veronica: Business is not just about making a living, it is about making a difference

8 minute read

Buchedo, Rosinah, Sicelosenkosi and Veronica are business owners and members of the CAMFED Association of women leaders educated with CAMFED support in Zimbabwe. By striking out into enterprise, they are creating opportunities for themselves and many others. 

Ahead of their handwoven baskets being showcased at the Curated By Hand Christmas Fair in Cambridge, UK, Buchedo, Rosinah, Sicelosenkosi and Veronica talked to CAMFED Zimbabwe’s Yvonne Chari about their work, inspiration and ambitions.

Yvonne: It’s wonderful to be talking with all of you! Before we turn to your businesses, it would be great to learn more about you. Were you supported by CAMFED to go to school, and how has education changed your life?

Buchedo: CAMFED supported me through secondary school. Education gave me the knowledge, confidence, and skills to break the cycle of poverty. With education, I have been able to improve my family’s financial stability and become a role model in my community — as a living example of the importance of education.

Rosinah: While I was not supported by CAMFED through school, I joined the CAMFED Association of women leaders in 2013, when CAMFED enrolled young women in rural communities to volunteer as Learner Guides (peer mentors) in schools.

My education and the financial training I received as a Learner Guide has helped me so much with my basket-weaving business. I am able to track my stock, do my bookkeeping and ultimately run my business successfully, making a profit. With my profits, I am able to support my family, covering the cost of food and my children’s school fees. I also contribute to the CAMFED Association philanthropy fund, buying stationery to support vulnerable children to go to school.

Sicelosenkosi: CAMFED supported me through secondary school. Education gave me the confidence and knowledge I need to make informed decisions. Because I am educated, I am able to ensure financial stability for myself and my family.

Veronica: CAMFED also supported me during my time at secondary school. Education has enhanced my critical thinking and decision making skills, allowing me to participate in family decisions and spread awareness of the importance of education in my community.

Because I am educated, I have also been able to take up a leadership role as a CAMFED Transition Guide. Through this position, I advise and support young people in my community on how to achieve a secure livelihood after finishing school.

Yvonne: What inspired you to start a business?

Buchedo: After completing my education, I saw the potential of entrepreneurship to help me to achieve financial independence. I identified a gap in my community for local, high quality and affordable goods, inspiring me to use natural, Indigenous resources like palm leaves to start a basket weaving business.

Rosinah: I was inspired to start my business by my mother-in-law, who is a weaver and taught me the skill. Now I have started to teach weaving to other young women in my community.

Sicelosenkosi: When I volunteered as a CAMFED Learner Guide after completing secondary school, I met several CAMFED Association members who were business owners. Their dedication to philanthropy, diverting part of their profits to assist others in their communities, inspired me to start a business in basket weaving and do the same.

Veronica: I started a business to become financially independent but also because I wanted to support my family and others in need in my community.

Rosinah (left) and Veronica have leveraged their positions as CAMFED ‘Guides’ to grow their businesses and mentor others. (Credit: CAMFED)

Yvonne: How has your business grown since you started out?

Buchedo: Initially, I faced challenges but with perseverance and a commitment to quality, my business started to grow. I have worked hard to ensure my business reflects my local culture and traditions.

Rosinah: When I started my business, I was making 2-3 baskets a week, selling them solely in my village. Now, I produce 10-15 baskets a week and am able to sell them more widely. I have had the opportunity to exhibit my products in Bindura and Bulawayo. I never imagined I would experience this growth and have the opportunity to showcase my products nationally!

Sicelosenkosi: When I started my business, I was selling my baskets locally, but since growing my business I have attended several trade fairs and acquired international customers. I exhibited at the Sanganai Expo and the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair in Bulawayo, and traveled to Egypt to showcase my products and learn more about business management.

I now also advertise my products through social media platforms to increase my market reach. Additionally, I have been recognised by the Zimbabwe Environmental Management Agency for promoting eco-friendly practices such as using naturally-available materials for my baskets.

Yvonne: How does this business growth positively impact your personal life, family, and community?

Buchedo: Many people around me, including my family, have benefitted from increased financial security. As I operate my business as a cooperative, I have also been able to provide job opportunities to 10 women, training them in the art of basket-weaving and fostering a spirit of entrepreneurship within them.

Rosinah: Because of my business, I am able to support my family and pay my children’s school fees. While weaving has traditionally been perceived as an activity done by older women, I have been able to inspire other young women to learn the craft, providing them an opportunity to start a business and become financially independent.

Sicelosenkosi: My life has changed greatly because of my business growth. Now I am able to support my family and provide philanthropic support to students at the nearby school. This year alone, I have been able to assist one student with their school fees and provide 26 students with stationery.

Veronica: I have also been able to engage and inspire other CAMFED Association members to become entrepreneurs, supporting them to achieve independence. Additionally, because of my business growth, I have been able to help my community by buying uniforms and stationery for disadvantaged students, as well as covering some school fees.

Buchedo runs her basket-weaving business as a cooperative, training and employing ten other women. (Credit: Deborah Brown)

Yvonne: How has CAMFED support helped you with your business?

Buchedo: CAMFED’s mentorship programs and networking opportunities have equipped me with the essential skills and knowledge so I can make informed decisions and thrive in a competitive market. CAMFED also provided me with weaving training, enabling me to learn new techniques and to connect with expert weavers.

Rosinah: Through CAMFED’s Learner Guide program, I learned how to do bookkeeping and track my stock and profits. These skills have been essential for me to successfully sustain my business. CAMFED’s District Business Committee has provided me with great support with marketing my baskets. They connected me to ZimTrade and the Ministry of Education, who helped me to attend exhibitions in Bindura and Bulawayo.

Sicelosenkosi: Being a CAMFED Learner Guide gave me the opportunity to connect with other like-minded entrepreneurs, and provided me with the skills and confidence to believe in myself and start a business. CAMFED alerts me when there are relevant fairs or exhibitions, helping me to showcase my products and reach a wider market.

Veronica: With CAMFED’s support, I have been able to network and learn about entrepreneurship from other CAMFED Association members. CAMFED has helped me attend business exhibitions and source new markets for my products outside of Zimbabwe.

Sicelosenkosi proudly exhibits and sells her intricate baskets nationally and internationally. (Credit: Deborah Brown)

Yvonne: What advice would you give a young woman who wants to start out in business?

Buchedo: Believe in yourself and your vision. The path may be challenging but every step forward is a step towards achieving your potential. Surround yourself with supportive networks, seek mentorship, and never underestimate the power of your voice.

Rosinah: My advice to young people who want to start a business is that they should never give up. Although there are challenges when owning a business, with more experience, you will be able to thrive and even teach others along the way.

Sicelosenkosi: Be self-motivated and confident in order to navigate through challenges and succeed. To succeed in business, you must master the skill of perseverance!