BY SHARON SIBINDI
Mutare fibre artist, Sue Chigorimbo has won a lucrative deal to teach knitting, rope crafts as well as up-cycling of used wine and whiskey bottles with Alpha Institute in the Eastern bordertown.
Chigorimbo, ventured into knitting and crafting as a way to beat boredom and depression and now runs Krafts By Sue which specialises in knitting mostly baby clothes, working with rope and also, making bags, trays and baskets, among others.
“Since the last interview with Standard Style, its been crafting all the way, just a notch higher,” she said.
“I had always regarded myself as a knitter, but I have since started exploring crochet and have not looked back. I love how versatile it is. It is also way faster than knitting.
“I am focused on making crochet handbags and sling bags. I was approached by a local private college, Alpha Institute.
“They were keen on having me on board to teach their students crafts. This was part of their five-year strategic plan.
“They included the crafts component in their application for funding from the African Leadership Academy.”
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She said administrators of the college saw her products, which blew them away.
Alpha Institute is run by a Mr and Mrs Marange.
“I met Mrs Marange when she came to my place to purchase clothes. She saw my crafts and was immediately blown away,” Chogorimbo said.
“From then, she kept in touch and talking about supporting and helping me to grow the brand.
“At that point, I had no idea that she was behind Alpha Institute.
“She then approached me to assist with an application for funding to expand the school.
“The African Leadership Academy funds five to 10 schools yearly in Africa to aid with expansion programmes.
“So when she approached me, she needed help with developing an online presence for the school, so we worked on that.”
Chigorimbo said Marange then included the crafts aspect in her application to the African Leadership Academy.
“Alpha Institute was one of nine schools in Africa that managed to get funding from the academy,” she said.
“I have since met with some delegates from the academy and they are really keen on my involvement in the school.
“So, I will be teaching knitting, rope crafts as well as up-cycling of used wine and whiskey bottles.
“I am currently working on the syllabus, because we will have to examine the students and award them with some sort of certification.
“The goal is to eventually work with government in developing curricula for crafts such as knitting.
“Already Fashion and Fabrics as well as Food and Nutrition are O’ Level subjects in the local syllabus. Why limit it to that, why not introduce knitting, crochet, beading, basket weaving?”she asked.
Chigorimbo added that she will be working with children from Forms 1 to 4. “Hopefully, we will be able to bring other crafters on board because the numbers might be overwhelming for me,” she said.
Chigorimbo was excited to pilot the programme, which will also grow her own brand.
“I want to be part of the revolution that empowers crafters,” she said.
“This should aid in getting creatively gifted individuals gainfully employed, at the same time, imparting their beautiful gifts to the younger generations.
“I also want to encourage that child who is not intellectually gifted but is good with their hands, to earn a good living by doing what they love.”
Chigorimbo was recently part of a crafts fair in Harare.
Alpha Institute director- administration Tafadzwa Marange said they were looking forward to a long partnership with Chigorimbo.
“Sue Chingorimbo is an amazing, gifted woman,” Marange said.
“The way she speaks through her craft clearly tells a story of class, elegance and style in a way that attracted us to her work.
“We are looking forward to a commitment that will exist for as long as education and Alpha Institute exist.
“We would want to start in second term 2022. She will be coming in during our club time sessions equipping our learners with lifelong learning skills.”
She said Chigorimbo’s personality blends well with the students.
