Zimbabwean Tailors Money in on Celebration Attire Demand as Vote Nears

HARARE (Reuters) – The whirring sound of a stitching machine could be heard a couple of paces from Judah Zunze’s workshop in Harare’s Warren Park township, as he stitches up political get together regalia for a buyer forward of elections this month.

Enterprise is booming for Zunze making vibrant clothes printed with smiling faces of politicians in search of workplace within the presidential and parliamentary elections due on Aug. 23.

A dozen candidates are vying to be the nation’s subsequent president however the principle contest is between incumbent Emmerson Mnangagwa, who’s in search of a second time period and leads the ruling ZANU-PF get together, and Nelson Chamisa, of the brand new Residents Coalition for Change (CCC).

“Enterprise is selecting up as we draw nearer to the elections. Orders for regalia have doubled in current weeks,” Zunze, a former foreman in a textile firm, mentioned as he handed over pink and black tunics to a ZANU-PF supporter.

Forward of the vote, the casual clothes trade that features tailors like Zunze is cashing in on demand from get together supporters desirous to put on their get together colors on their sleeves.

Zunze, whose signature attire is a tunic emblazoned with Mnangagwa’s face, fees between $10 and $20 if a buyer offers their very own materials.

“For the reason that marketing campaign season began, I stand up to $500 monthly in revenue,” the daddy of three mentioned.

The colorful materials made into tunics, luggage and headscarves brighten the temper at political rallies amid the financial gloom in a rustic with a plummeting forex, excessive inflation and rising unemployment.

“Zimbabwe has many issues and our elections have been related to all of the unhealthy issues, so that is our means of lifting spirits,” Disgrace Maupa, a CCC supporter sporting the get together’s signature yellow regalia, mentioned at a rally in Gweru, 300 km from the capital Harare.

For others, like ZANU-PF youth chief Lameck Chimanikire, the colorful outfits usually are not nearly making a style assertion. They’re a instrument to draw youth votes.

Chimanikire’s pink, lengthy flowing gown original within the method of clothes worn by African apostolic church members has grow to be a spectacle at ZANU-PF rallies.

“My look is inspiring youths to vote. Since I grew up within the apostolic church, I considered adapting the garment to inform a political message,” Chimanikire mentioned.

(Reporting by Nyasha Chingono; Modifying by Olivia Kumwenda-Mtambo and Peter Graff)

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