TAILOR'S REMARKABLE JOURNEY, THOKO PHIRI

-

By Emerson Sam Navaya 

While many girls see no hope for they haven't been successful to public universities, I met this female tailor who takes it as "next door" in life despite being a victim of the circumstance.

In the bustling township of Chilobwe, amidst the symphony of sewing machines and the aroma of freshly cut fabric, resides a young and exceptional talent named Thoko Phiri. At 21 years old, Thoko's life has been intricately woven into the world of tailoring, and her journey is a testament to passion, perseverance, and craftsmanship.


Photo Credit: Costume Lux. Shop

Thoko who shared desks with her friends at Naotcha Primary School where she got a simultaneous selection to Zingwangwa Secondary school and a mission secondary school in Neno. She opted for a boarding catholic one. And she expressed that due to medical issues, she withdrew herself from that boarding school. 

Back from boarding secondary school, she enrolled at private school where she got her MSCE. Thoko never made to universities after she attempted. 

Being a first born in her family, Thoko knew that she has a role to play. She saw an opportunity in designing and tailoring course at Beehives in Chilomoni in Blantyre City. 

"I feel excited being called a tailor among friends of her age and to be frank, I like my profession", she narrated her story. 

Thoko's hard work and dedication paid off, as she started receiving appreciation for her work even during her teenage years. She participated in local fashion shows, showcasing her unique designs that seamlessly blended classic elegance with contemporary flair. Her garments drew praise from seasoned fashion enthusiasts and industry professionals alike.

However, Thoko's journey was not without its challenges. The tailoring profession, like any other, can be demanding and highly competitive. She faced setbacks, encountered critics, and experienced moments of self-doubt. 

This Beehive graduate mentioned that her greatest challenge is on how materials have become expensive yet customers need the quality products at the same old prices. 

But it was during these tough times that she found solace in her love for tailoring and the unwavering support of her family. Their encouragement serves as a powerful catalyst to propel Thoko forward.

As she embraced adulthood, Thoko decides to expand her horizons by pursuing a degree in Fashion Design at a prestigious art school. The experience broadened her perspective, introduced her to a diverse community of designers, and instilled in her the importance of sustainability and ethical practices in the fashion industry.

Her message to her friends was simple, "girls, to live a happy life  is possible and doable. There will be a time for us to take responsibilities whether married or not. And the time now not tomorrow."

She concluded saying that to those who have not made it to public universities, there is always a plan B. Its all about dedication and hard working spirit.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

UNMATCHED EXPERIENCE AND A COMPLEX LEGACY- DR JOYCE BANDA

-
Image
By Emerson Sam Navaya W hile watching a video clip of Nelson Nkhata’s Yaza Talk Show featuring Dr. Joyce Banda, Malawi’s first female president, I was struck by her poise, conviction, and deep understanding of governance. Her words carried the weight of someone who has navigated the turbulent waters of Malawian politics, serving as a cabinet minister under former Presidents Bakili Muluzi and the late Dr. Bingu wa Mutharika before ascending to the presidency from 2012 to 2014. The clip left me reflecting on what makes Joyce Banda unique and whether she could indeed outperform her previous tenure if given another chance in the upcoming September 16, 2025 elections. Nelson Nkhata’s interview, even in its brief form, sparked a renewed curiosity about her leadership, her past, and the lessons she might bring to the table today. Photo: A leader should provide solutions- Dr. Joyce Banda. What sets Dr. Joyce Banda apart is her extensive political experience, coupled with a grassroots sensibili...
Read more

CLOSED ROOM

-
Image
By Emerson Sam Navaya T he room was dimly lit, the curtain drawn against the late afternoon sun. Dust motes floated in the narrow beam of light that sneaked through a crack. The boy sat on a low stool, restless fingers drumming against his knees, while his father leaned back in the old wooden chair, shoulders heavy but eyes carrying a rare softness. It was not often that the man invited his son into a closed room. These moments were sacred, whispered between silence and regret, where truths ached to be told. The father cleared his throat, a sound both weary and deliberate.  “Sit still, my son. Life is not as long as it looks from where you are sitting. It passes quickly, and in that shortness, you must choose carefully.” The boy lifted his gaze, curious but quiet. He had always known his father as a stern man, a man of little words, and now here he was, spilling thoughts like water finding cracks. “I have walked through choices that shaped me,” the father continued, his voice carry...
Read more

Poem Review- The Second Coming

-
Image
The part of the screenshot of the poem:- photo The Gist of the Poem T he Second Coming (1919) by W.B. Yeats is a visionary and apocalyptic poem that captures a world spiraling into chaos, where traditional structures- social, moral, and political- are collapsing. The poem reflects Yeats’s anxieties about a disintegrating civilization and the emergence of a new, potentially terrifying order. The personea juxtaposes the breakdown of societal cohesion with the ominous arrival of a “second coming,” not of Christ but of a monstrous, ambiguous force. Stanza 1. This stanza paints a vivid picture of a world in disarray. The “widening gyre” refers to Yeats’s concept of historical cycles (or “gyres”), where civilizations rise and fall in a spiral motion. The falcon, a symbol of order and control, can no longer hear its falconer, suggesting a loss of guidance and authority. The phrase “things fall apart; the centre cannot hold” is an iconic, encapsulating the collapse of societal structures. ...
Read more