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News - Date: 29 April 2005
LUKAU – She used to sell baked fish but the income was too little to keep her family fire burning. She saved enough until she bought a sewing machine and since then, her life has changed for the better – and the rest is history!
Those who still rely on the government to provide everyone with a job should reconsider their thinking as everyone is capable of creating a job for him-/herself. This is the clear message from Joyce Mmbi (36) of Lukau village, outside Tshilamba, who ventured into the sewing industry after she could not find employment for the past years. Joyce could not let poverty and frustration stop her from making ends meet.
She now manufactures cushions, cushion covers, curtains and women’s wear. She sells her stuff at different social grant pay points around the Mutale area. She is also a familiar figure in social gatherings, where her duties include decorating and venue arrangements.
“I could not find employment for many years and I told myself that it is my responsibility to create one for myself. Although it was difficult at first, I gathered enough courage and believed in myself. Success only depends on the achievable goals that one sets and I believe there are more fruits of hard work for me in the near future. We are capable of creating our own jobs but we are lazy to come up with great ideas that could save our lives. We have to win the war against poverty and it is within ourselves to achieve our goals,” said Joyce, who has now hired a stall at Tshandama arts centre.
Married to Albert with four kids, Joyce said she started to develop an interest in the sewing business in 1994. “I used the money I saved from the small fish business to buy a sewing machine. I taught myself the skills but I also went to Techniven to get more theoretical experience. In 2002, I decided to apply for a stall at Tshandama Arts Centre as I did not have enough working space at home.”
Joyce says she can make up to R1 200 per month and added that it is far better than her first fish-baking business.
“I am making a lot of money, compared to those who are sitting at home, waiting for miracles to happen. Hard work has never killed anyone and I advise those who are unemployed to take action before it is too late. There are many jobs within ourselves but we must act in order to fulfill our dreams.”
Joyce said of her future: “Every successful venture started as a dream and we have the abilities to transform our dreams into reality. My future plans include having my own big clothing factory to create more jobs so that I may help in the economic development of my country.”
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