Many elderly people spend most of their time quiescent due to old age but the story is different for 92-year-old Gogo Gladys Sibanda from Magwegwe West suburb who is always busy making bead-decorated handbags.
Gogo Sibanda said she is grateful to the Almighty who has kept her all these years as she has lived to see many generations.
She is one of the unique and remarkable members of society who grew up in Matshetsheni, Gwanda District, Matabeleland South Province.
Her husband died in 2011, leaving her with only three of her eight children.
Gogo Sibanda says she believes in hard work and this is the reason why she is still in business producing handbags.
She said she started making handbags with beadwork decorations in 2019 and her advantage is that her sight is still sharp.
Gogo Sibanda said before the handbags, she used to crochet doilies, knit jerseys and various items using wool she got from old clothes.
“I have always been doing handwork. Back then, I used to do very beautiful crochet work in the form of doilies, blankets, jerseys and other various items. I did all this in my youth days and people used to buy a lot from me,” she said.
Gogo Sibanda said she started producing handbags as a church project as they meet as women every Thursday to work on various projects meant to empower them.
She said producing handbags does not only keep her busy but is also a source of income.
Gogo Sibanda said the church project has provided a space where elderly women like herself get the opportunity to mingle with the young women and advise them on ways to empower themselves.
“I buy most of the raw materials in town and business has been fair. However, nowadays my business is low but I continue making the bags because once you get used to doing something you can’t stop,” she said.
Gogo Sibanda who said her long-term plan was to engage marketing people to find a bigger market for her products, says she sells her bags for US$25 and US$40 – The Chronicle
