Samambgwa Wins Big at International Leather Competition
Zimbabwean fashion creative and leather specialist Nompumelelo Marilyn Samambgwa recently achieved international recognition.
She secured the National Achievement Award and the People’s Choice Award at the Real Leather Stay Different competition in Mombasa, Kenya.
This competition, typically dominated by participants from the UK, Nordic region, China, and the Philippines, saw Zimbabwe, and indeed Africa, participate for the first time.
The competition, tailored for students and recent graduate designers working with leather globally, featured three categories: footwear, apparel, and accessories.
In an interview with The Herald Arts, Samambwga expressed her excitement, stating, “I bagged the National Achievement Award as well as the People’s Choice Award.
“I got to know about the competition through one of the Leather Institute of Zimbabwe’s board members, Fungai Zvinondiramba, who motivated me to take part and officially brought me to the footwear designing and production game.”
After a hiatus from fashion, Samambgwa’s win affirmed her dream of making a significant impact in the industry.
She had been designing clothing professionally since 2013 but harbored aspirations of venturing into footwear.
Her journey into this field began in 2015 when she crafted her first upcycled pair of shoes, and in 2019, she enrolled in South Africa’s Style Architects College for footwear designing and pattern making training.
However, her plans faced setbacks in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic and her diagnosis of End Stage Renal Failure.
Undeterred, she enrolled in a leather technology course at the Leather Institute of Zimbabwe in 2021.
Despite facing health challenges, she remains committed to her passion.
Reflecting on the local fashion industry, Samambgwa sees room for growth and unity among fashion creatives.
She emphasized the importance of collaboration and government support, particularly from the Ministry of Sports, Arts, and Recreation.
Samambgwa believes that fashion deserves recognition in arts awards, playing a significant role in performing arts.
Despite her achievements, Samambgwa acknowledges challenges, citing her health as the biggest hurdle.
Limited supplies and variety of production materials locally have also posed difficulties.
Looking ahead to 2024, Samambgwa has ambitious plans. She aims to equip her studio for a full-blown production project and, if circumstances permit, host a solo exhibition in the last quarter of the year. – 263Culture/Herald
Samambgwa Wins Big at International Leather Competition
