A LONG, colourful scarf worn by President Emmerson
Mnangagwa during his recent trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos,
Switzerland, has been a topic of discussion on various social media platforms,
and now, a hot selling item in Zimbabwe.
“It’s been an overwhelming response,” Celia Rukato, founder
of the Harare-based textile company that has been selling the scarf for about
three years, said.
In explaining how
the scarf that is now referred to as the “Presidential Scarf” became part of
the Zimbabwe delegation in Davos, Rukato of Chjaa Enterprises Private Limited,
said: “That was completely, to be honest, a surprise on our end.”
Rukato said she simply delivered a few scarves to the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs ahead of the Davos trip for consideration, but it
was not until word started getting around on social media about the President
wearing the scarf, that she realised her efforts had paid off.
She said the scarf came about as an experiment to capture
the culture and identity of Zimbabwe.
“Our family spent a long time living in South Africa.
Despite regular visits back home annually, we constantly sought ways of being
reminded of Zimbabwe and ways of showcasing national pride outwardly.
“We were also increasingly presented with opportunities
that required us to showcase our “Zimbabweanness” when interacting with the
global community across a series of platforms. A common go-to for showcasing
culture for many people is through clothing, or traditional attire. In our
case, this was often difficult because, beyond being able to perhaps wear
clothing specific to a Zimbabwean ethnic group (Ndebele traditional attire, for
example), there was little we could wear that would identify us as distinctly
Zimbabwean.
“It is in this context that we were inspired to create
designs and an aesthetic that we believe showcases the dignity and pride we
feel in being Zimbabwean,” Rukato explained.
“From the onset we firmly understood that the Zimrocks
scarf had to be rooted in our history as Zimbabweans and had to present an
overall aesthetic that is clearly not aligned to any one political party. The
product had to be one that all/any Zimbabwean could identify with irrespective
of race, tribe or political allegiance. It is for this reason that, when
designing the scarf, we settled on the Zimbabwe national colours.”
The colours of the scarf, black, green, white, gold and
red, displayed as horizontal stripes, are all official colours of the Zimbabwe
flag.
“These colours represent our collective historical and
cultural significance and are articulated by the Zimbabwean flag and coat of
arms,” said Rukato.
Celebrating being Zimbabwean, Rukato said, was a choice
that every individual needs to actively make.
“When we began this project, we chose to focus on how we
could contribute towards pride and positivity about being Zimbabwean. The
scarf, therefore, represents the embracing of what it means to be Zimbabwean
with all the good and the bad; because this is who we are.”
Since its debut in Davos, the scarf, which Rukato said her
company never really marketed much outside Zimbabwe’s embassies in different
countries, is literally selling itself. She said Zimbabweans are now contacting
her company through various social media platforms, to place their orders. The
scarf is being sold for $16.
“It’s really exciting to just see how people are reacting
and are excited about it,” Rukato said of her product which the Zimbabwe public
overlooked since its creation three years ago.
“We’re thrilled by the gradual conversation that the scarf
has been able to illicit. It is a powerful thing to see Zimbabweans from all
walks of life, in both Zimbabwe and around the world, showing enthusiasm for
being able to wear the Zimbabwean colours proudly.”
She said the response from the public was quite encouraging
considering that three years ago when the scarves were introduced, they did not
receive such a reception.
“I’d say when we had initially put it out on the market,
we’d see, you know, the raised eyebrow, ok, what’s this about? But I think
that’s really just the discussion that as Zimbabweans we need to have,” said
Rukato, adding that there’s more to the scarf than what it appears to be on the
surface.
“It’s not that the scarf is the answer, but I think it’s
just a step toward in finding how we can express our identity and culture and I
guess, what we’re about through our dress, so it’s just the beginning, I
believe,” said Rukato.
The scarf is now being worn by most Government officials
when conducting national duty outside Zimbabwe as well as different
ambassadors. People who have been spotted donning the scarf are British
Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Catriona Lang, Tourism Minister Prisca Mupfumira and
Finance Minister, Patrick Chinamasa.
“It’s been incredible to have the scarf being ordered and
worn by Zimbabweans as far away as London.”
But among them all, the biggest fan of the scarves is
undeniably President Mnangagwa whose outfits are incomplete without the scarf.
This is really one piece of clothing that somehow reminds him of the people of
Zimbabwe who have their hopes of a better nation pinned on him.
On the President constantly wearing the scarf, Rukato said:
“For us, the donning of the scarf by President Mnangagwa is an invitation to
all Zimbabweans and all those who appreciate the history and beauty of the
country to join hands and contribute to the building of a Great Zimbabwe, whose
future is as bright as the scarf. Through the scarf, we’re saying, ‘let us be
proudly Zimbabwean!”.
In addition to the scarf, Rukato designs and prints a
series of fabrics that are inspired by historical monuments and symbols across
Zimbabwe.
“In addition to the knitted version that is currently
available, we are working on other versions of the scarf on printed cotton,
printed silk and other varieties. Chronicle
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