The ManicaPost
Luthando Mapepa
Chipinge Correspondent
NOT so long ago, Ms Leah Chowani (29) was just a housewife, but today she walks with a spring in her step after scoring a first in Chipinge South.
Born and bred in a patriarchal society where women are mostly relegated to being housewives, with household chores and farming being their daily bread, it is a different story for Ms Chowani.
When Ms Chowani’s name was shortisted among eight other candidates for training in the rehabilitation of boreholes, she had no idea that a door to success had been opened for her.
Today, Ms Chowani, a mother of two, proudly stands as one of the few women in Chikome Bopo Village who bring food to the family table.
Through her perseverance and dedication to duty, her family’s social standing has changed for the better.
A proud certificate holder, she is now enjoying the fruits of her labour and has managed to buy livestock and established a vibrant vending stall at her homestead.
Ms Chowani has also become a symbol of hope for many village women and girls as she is the only woman who can repair boreholes in the area.
“I did my primary and secondary education at Chisuma Primary and Secondary Schools. I did not do well in my examinations and never harboured any thoughts of being professionally trained in my entire life. I never associated myself with spanners, but today here I am, earning a living through donning grease-smeared work-suits and repairing boreholes, not only in our ward, but in the nearby wards as well.
“The only females working in our area are teachers, while the majority are housewives and subsistence farmers,” she said.
Narrating her road to success, Ms Chowani said: “In 2017, I was nominated in our ward as one of the selected few to undergo training in repairing boreholes at Rimbi Business Centre. The course was organised and funded by Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
“I was the only woman amongst men selected for the programme in our ward. The training was an eye-opener and it really helped me to be what I am today. I am now a proud owner of professional certificates,” she said.
Mr Chowani also addressed some of the perceptions around gender issues.
“Many people do not see women’s potential. Women should stand up and be counted.
“They should also bring food on the family table and develop their communities and the country at large.
“At first working on this job was not a stroll in the park. I had to fight a lot of battles to scale up the ladder. Some women did not believe in my potential and would frown at me. We should do away with the pull her down syndrome. Women should rally behind their own, together we can make a difference,” she said.
But while some fellow women were doubting her capacity, Ms Chowani’s husband, a bricklayer, has been her pillar of strength.
“I am helping my husband in bringing food on the table. My husband is not getting much from his work. However, through his support and knowledge of the area, I have travelled to many areas to do my job.
“The job is very demanding as many boreholes constantly break down here due to the high demand of water. The local community is now supportive of my work as they are getting value for their money when I execute my duties.
“I am now a proud owner of my own tools of the trade.
“I will continue investing in more tools until I have a complete kit. I am also an employer of two assistants, all drawn from my village.
“From my job, I have acquired cattle and goats. I also established a vibrant vending stall at my homestead,” she said.
Ms Chowani sees a bright future ahead.
“It is encouraging as I am now getting contracts from neighbouring villages. I have realised that for me to continue to be on top of the game, I need to acquire more knowledge and that is what I am doing right now.
“In 2020, I attended another training which was sponsored by Oxfam. I can now do the job on my own and I am dreaming of establishing a vibrant registered company. I also urge other women to work hard and realise their dreams. Women should turn the knowledge they would have acquired from different workshops to practice,” she said.
Chipinge Rural District Council’s Ward 29 Councillor Gedion Bohani hailed Ms Chowani’s workmanship.
“Gone are the days of waiting for borehole specialists to come from either Harare or Mutare to attend to broken boreholes here. We now have our own specialist,” said Ms Chowani.
Our area is very dry and there is high demand of water, resulting in constant breaking down of the boreholes. Besides drawing water for domestic use from the boreholes, they are also used to water our gardens and livestock.
“Government, through the District Development Fund, did well to sink a number of boreholes for us, but the breakdowns are a nightmare to locals. When a development partner came on board and offered to train people to repair broken down boreholes, many people were not interested.
“Ms Chowani did not hesitate to take up the offer. A lot doubted her capability, but she did us proud by excelling in her training. She has made a name for herself in the trade. Her services are now on demand here in Chipinge and in neighbouring Chiredzi. She is now our ambassador and she is totally committed to her duties.”
