Story by Tamuka Charakupa
A group of seven youths in Chegutu is converting discarded materials into marketable products, illustrating how innovation and creativity can drive sustainable livelihoods in line with Government calls for home-grown solutions.
Working from a small craft centre, the young artists use plastics, scrap metal and old fabric to produce a range of handcrafted items for local sale, with ambitions to reach export markets. Their work demonstrates how value addition at community level can unlock economic opportunity from materials often regarded as waste.
“Most of the materials we use are things people consider useless—plastics, scrap metal, old fabric,” said cultural artist Tafadzwa Marunga. “Through creativity, we turn them into products that people can use and even export. This is how we create value from waste.”
Beyond income generation, the group says its work is rooted in cultural preservation, with African identity and heritage shaping both design and purpose. The craft space is filled with imagery and motifs drawn from local traditions.
“Our art is about identity,” said artist Justice Dzapasi. “We want young people to be proud of who they are and where they come from. Social media pushes foreign cultures, but through our work, we are preserving and promoting African heritage.”
The youths also encourage peers to embrace innovation using readily available resources, arguing that creativity and initiative matter more than capital.
“You don’t need expensive equipment to start,” said wire artist Lewis Kaluzi. “With local resources and ideas, you can create something meaningful and earn a living.”
As Government continues to emphasise innovation, value addition and youth empowerment, the Chegutu craft centre stands as a practical example of how community-driven initiatives can transform waste into opportunity while promoting self-reliance and cultural pride.
