Leather smiths are very artistic individuals as they turn animal hides into beautiful products such as shoes, wallets, saddles, bags, and other flexible but durable items.
It is indeed hard work as these leathers are obtained by removing and then curing the skins of almost any creature. They can be stiff and tough, or smooth and flexible depending upon the hides and curing techniques used.
Sextus Ncube is one expert leather smith who designs different accessories. In his art and designs, he uses leather products from goat and cow hides, and through this trade, he is able to sustain a livelihood.
A skilled craftsman is well respected for their craft and important contribution to their town's status or ability to self-equip their defenses.
Those less skilled or those tasked with crafting more simple items are still treated with respect due to the importance of their work using the most humble leather items.
From time immemorial, different generations have relied upon leather as their only easily obtained resource for wear. This has resulted in creative uses for the craft, as well as unique magical enhancements for both function and appearance.
“Many people tend to confuse leather smithing with being a cobbler, but these are two different forms of art. A leather smith is a designer and an artist, while a cobbler is someone who fixes and mends shoes. As a leather smith, I craft and design leather products. This is more of an art skill which I embody as a craftsman,” Ncube who plies his trade in Nketa 7, Bulawayo explains.
“I am an entrepreneur who uses my craftsmanship for sustenance of my livelihood. This has enabled me to be economically capacitated. This had prompted me to brand my leathersmith business using the name Vika leather products. Vika was my grandfather’s name and I named my business in memory of him. I am also focused on establishing a brand that is more of a family business so that it benefits my children and their children too. As an entrepreneur I also aim to be able to provide for my family by paying rent, feeding and clothing the and educating my children in this economically volatile environment,” he said.
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Ncube outlined that leather smiths also require an assortment of tools to work and design different leathers.
“Sharp shears are required for cutting the leather into shapes or strips, while leather punches and stamps are used to add patterns or holes. For fancier pieces, leather dyes are also an option to paint images or dye entire leather pieces so as to make them beautiful and attractive to the customer.”
Looking at some of his designs at his workshop, it shows that magic can be utilized by the leather smith at any stage to enhance the efficiency of the tools used or to alter and enhance the results of the process.
Ncube explained that he modifies tools from homemade equipment which is cheaper for him as the more professional equipment is much more expensive.
“Leathermancy, threadmancy, and chromamancy is the ability to blend with different colors. These are all magical fields frequently utilized by skilled leather smiths. It is enmeshed in being creative and expressive because I have to sell a product with durability and this has to look beautiful and in the process represent the essence of my artistry.”
Ncube also added that leather works were of significance as they are products which have high durability as they tend to last long compared to the fake Chinese products.
He outlined the historical significance of wearing leather products as it is aligned with how in ancient African society, animal hides were used as clothing and sandals, and even shields used for protection.
Unfortunately in the context of Zimbabwe many people seem to be opting for the cheaper Chinese products which in a great many cases do not have any form of durability, while leather products on the other hand can last for many years. In a great many cases, the customer has the experience of choosing their own designs.
With regard to the challenges faced when designing leather products, Ncube outlined how there was also a deeper need for the injection of capital, especially from the responsible authorities like the government and even businessmen.
He said if capital is availed, this would enable him to expand his enterprise and the scale of productivity which would in the process enhance his profit and also employ many youths.
“If I had enough funding, my vision is to employ and train the youth on these skills of leather smithing because I have observed the extent of their idleness which has led them to be druggies and robbers. I feel that this can curb the increase in crime and even the disturbing cases of suicide we witness in our surroundings. There is also the challenge of equipment to use when cutting and designing the hides and the hide itself is usually very expensive to acquire,” Ncube said.
In our daily lives, it is more important than ever to have skilled artisans and craftsmen like Sextus Ncube who can produce quality goods that stand out from mass-produced items. Craftsmanship ensures that products are made to order and tailored to specific needs, providing a bespoke and unique experience for consumers.
There is also the need for locals to embrace the local products so as to enhance the growth and development of an artistic designer and creator in our communities.
Zimbabwe is endowed with many artistically talented designers like Ncube, but all they need is support in the form of capital and equipment in order to grow their businesses and create employment.
- *Raymond Millagre Langa is musician, poet, orator, independent researcher and founder of Indebo edutainment Trust. You can follow on Face Book @Millagre Ray Langa, on Twitter you can follow on #Millagre Langa, email: [email protected] or [email protected].
