The Zezuru: mixing religion and business

September 30, 2008 by Cassandra Moyo ·
Filed under: Business, Religion

By Sylvester Wapitso for Mmegi

Most customers prefer to buy on credit. Some pay. Others run away before settling the outstanding debt. Nonetheless, we survive.

FRANCISTOWN: The ting-ting-ting metallic taps could be heard a few metres from the household. Instantly, one is welcomed into the home of tinsmiths.

Pieces of metal sheets are scattered all over. Gracious Tatangira’s head is clean-shaven and he sports a beard.

“My neighbours are very supportive. They are used to this noise,” the 25 year old man discloses.

He has never had a formal job. He went to school up to Standard VII. Working with metal sheets is his daily life. “I like to be self-employed and our church promotes the spirit of entrepreneurship. I learned this trade from my brothers and we work together. Though there are challenges we are able to survive,” says Tatangira.

His younger brother, Tauraun, did not go to school. He stays with his wife and one child. The proceeds from his business enables him to take care of them. “I have been doing this job since I was a child.

My father taught me, and I am going to pass the same knowledge to my son. My wife is in Zimbabwe where she sells in the flea market. Though I check them every month-end, she is able to take care of herself and our child before I come. I go to church because through prayer I am able to support my family,” he says.

The Muvenwa home in Block One is a few metres from the Tatangiras. A smell of PVA paint fills the air. Spencer looks busy, sandpapering an unfinished wardrobe to make the surface smooth while Dennis drills holes on a cupboard using a hand drill.

Frequently, their elder brother, Phineas, nods admiringly as his younger brothers goes about their work.

Finished tables, a chest of drawers and a kitchen unit are displayed behind the family workshop.

As Dennis picks up a box of crack filler, his boots kick up swirls of sawdust. Akwira engages in conversation with a potential buyer.

“Most customers prefer to buy on credit. Some pay. Others run away before settling the outstanding debt. Nonetheless, we survive. OIur pastors at church tell us that it is good to work on our own so that we may have time for God. My father was a carpenter and he was very good. I learned this craft from him and business is good,” says the older of the brothers.

Everyone helps in the family business and no external labour is needed. Their late father had two wives and 10 children. Everyone lives in the same house.

The sisters sell groundnuts, pillowcases and shoes in the market and they all go to the Gospel of God Church. The large family composition enables the family to produce more crafts for a wider market.

Men and women carry out different activities. Young people contribute economically to the household from a relatively young age. According to Dennis, they learn many things at church.

They are taught how to tackle life challenges and to live responsibly.

“We can make three wardrobes, two cupboards and 20 tables in a day. We talk like brothers and we compliment each other well. Our elder brother normally comes with the design and then we start right away. Thereafter he inspects and if satisfied we then sell”.

While men dress ordinarily, they shave their heads and let their beards grow. The women dress in white robes with large headscarves. Everyone goes to the same church.

According to Pastor Ike Malunga of the Gospel of God Church, the founder of the church, Johane Masowe, stressed the importance of an economically independent religious community. He was a carpenter and maintained that all members must be independent tradesmen.

He quotes Masowe: “I have brought to you the Holy Spirit from whom you are going to receive gifts that will make you satisfied and you must use these hands industriously. Do not have these blessed hands put to work outside the church because you will lose the Holy Spirit and die of starvation”.

Church doctrine prescribes behaviour that regulates all aspects of their daily life.

“We are satisfied with how we live. We are not rich and we are not poor. Ga re bolawe ke tlala,” says Malunga. When asked why they do not apply for schemes like CEDA to expand their businesses, Malunga quips earnestly, “We are self-sufficient and we do not want loans”.

Source: Mmegi

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