Maginess Ndlovu is the founder of the Unique Magi’s Design, a business entity that focuses on the production of various pieces of creative work. She is based in Gwanda town where she specializes in the production of beaded handbags and purses, jewellery (necklaces, earrings, bracelets, slave/bridal/glove rings and anklets). She also does head gears/bands, isicholo/ basket hats, hand bands, waist bands, leg bands. Magi also produces beaded tennis shoes, beaded skirts, t- shirts, key holders, spectacle holders, African attires accessories, wonder bags and mixed media art.
Magi reveals that this handwork passion developed in 2017 when she realized that she had an interest in art through beading, an area that she passionately loves and enjoys doing. She explains how she was inspired to get to this field, “A lady I met in Gwanda who was carrying a beaded hand bag made up of paper beads, taught me how to do paper beading”. She adds, “As a professional dress maker I started sewing my own bags and beading them, the challenge was then on the hand machine which could not sew heavy handbags.
Magi says that she produces unique designs that are durable and customized, new product mix including wonder bags, sandals and gele doeks and the use of mixed media art make her stand out from her competitors. She adds other areas that distinguish her from her competitors when she highlights the following, branding, research, collaboration, improved distribution channels, customization, craftsmanship as well as the knowledge and skills she receives empowerment training sessions such as workshops, trainings and exhibitions.
The following are some of the places where Unique Magi’s Designs have exhibited their works;
- Matabeleland Agricultural Show, in August 2022,
- Next She Exporter Zim Trade in July 2022
- ILO Green Enterprise in 2019.
- Group exhibitions at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair in 2019
- Group exhibitions at Provincial and National Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics exhibitions (STEAM) in 2018
- Group Career Fair exhibitions in 2018
- Group exhibitions at Women with Vision and Export Thinking (WOVET) in 2017.
- Group Outreach school programs 2017
Magi has produced commendable artistic works and she looks forward to expand her business, she acknowledges that she has indeed enjoyed a lot in the creative industry when she says, “To be identified by different stakeholders as a skilled member in art is awesome, I have enjoyed gaining knowledge in the area of art and I have a vision. I have received an award with WE EFFECT in recognition of a second price competitions with Self Help Development Fund.
This hardworking lady states some of the challenges she faces while doing her work such as competitors catching up with product development., shortage of materials and pleating machines to meet demand, shortage of skilled labour, saturation of beadwork in the urban market as well as growing of technological expertise of local players in the export market.
Magi gives several ways that can be considered in order to overcome the challenges that she has mentioned above. She talks about the need to have local collaboration with local partners in the same business who have the expertise in business, collaborating with associations to bring global markets, company registration to get financial support and familiarisation with rules and regulations and opportunities, launching the product in festivals. She also mentions the need for awareness regarding copyright and Intellectual property to dismiss imitation of products by competitors. Going the digital marketing way on social media and other digital platforms where the creative products could be exhibited and promoted online as well as unique beadwork branding are some of the recommendations that Magi believes they can make them flourish in the industry.
Grants, donations of second hand heavy duty machines, mannequins and permanent work area, skilled labour, market exposure or exchange visits are some of the items that if assisted with she will be able to realise her full potential in her works.
