OKAKARARA - Among the many exhibitors who flocked to the Okakarara trade fair was a Tanzanian young businesswoman who has taken the fashion space by storm through her unique designs of African clothes and fabrics. Linda Nkya, a Tanzanian born, has lived in Namibia for some time with her family after completing her tertiary education in that country.
Having graduated with a bachelor’s degree in procurement and logistics, she was unable to secure a formal job.
Not to remain idle, Nkya joined her aunt in the craft, arts, and tailoring business to make African clothes full of traditional designs and colourful patterns.
Their attires are tailor-made for both gender and they buy African fabrics from Tanzania and Kenya respectively.
“We get our fabrics from Tanzania and Kenya. Our family members are there. We are based in Windhoek. My aunt introduced me to business. We started a business in Namibia many years ago because my aunt has been married here for long. Once we get the fabrics from Tanzania and Kenya, then we make the African dresses ourselves,” she said.
According to her, their customers come from all walks of life and they also get orders from people who wish to have their clothes designed for special occasions such as family reunions, weddings, community gatherings, and festivals.
“I have a degree but it’s not easy to get a job these days that will satisfy my needs. I am a single parent and I have to push and provide for my kids. I need to survive and not depend on being employed. For me to achieve something, I really need to push hard to get what I want. So, I used my educational background to transport goods from one place to another. That is how I learned how to do art and crafts,” Nkya said.
Together with her family, they also make African women’s waist beads, bangles, shoes, and necklaces.
She said business is doing well and people are showing interest and buying their African attires. “People are welcome to bring us their own designs and we make their dresses based on their preferences,” Nkya softly said.
The prices for the African attires range between N$400 and N$500, while shoes are N$350.
Bangles cost N$30, whereas the necklaces range between N$150 and N$200.
Asked how they navigated the negative effects of Covid-19, she said they too like other businesses were affected.
“When you are creative, you can survive and have more sources of income. During Covid, we resorted to doing other businesses to supplement our income. We were doing business online and luckily some people were calling to have their attires made,” Nkya noted.
– anakale@nepc.com.na