A woman’s journey in leather craftsmanship

Harare, Zimbabwe (ILO News) - Violet Mhute is the owner of Soko Genuine Leather business in Zimbabwe, specializing in safari shoes, sandals, wallets and belts. Her journey began in 2008, initially exporting semi-processed hides to South Africa and the UK. Over time, inspired by policies promoting women’s empowerment and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), she transitioned to adding value to raw materials and began manufacturing leather products locally.

© Shaun Chitsiga/ILO

© Shaun Chitsiga/ILO

Entering the leather industry as a woman was challenging, especially in a male-dominated space. She recalls facing resistance when trying to access information that would help her grow her business. Through various trainings, she gained the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the industry and overcome the many challenges encountered.

The support I received from the ILO was transformative.
Violet Mhute

A significant milestone for Violet was the ‘Expand Your Business’ (EYB) training, which helped her develop a solid strategy for scaling her business beyond Zimbabwe. “I learned how to develop a business an expansion plan, and with that knowledge, I was able to get my products certified by the Standards Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ)”, she says. This certification opened doors for her to participate in international expos, and her products are now gaining demand across the Southern African Development Community region and even in the UK.

Violet’s current goal is to build her own factory and open a shop dedicated exclusively to selling her leather products. Within the next five years, she hopes to secure grants or funding to make these aspirations a reality. Beyond business expansion, she is committed to empowering other women and youth by passing on the skills and knowledge she has gained through SIYB and her practical experiences.