Passion for flowers blooms into vibrant project

“I have always loved flowers and designing. Growing up, we had a small backyard garden with flowers and l taught myself how to arrange flowers by watching programmes on television. I adopted the concept of doing what you can, with what you have and where you are,” Kenneth Mugwami (27) told The Zimbabwean.

Today he has established a fast-growing company and is offering his services for free to members of his community, mostly youths and women, through holding classes at his local church to share his experience and expertise.

“l got support from my church members and l enrolled at an events designing college. Last year, l was invited to South Africa to showcase my designs and since then l haven’t looked back. The whole experience has changed my life. As a way of giving back to the community, l started a school of flower arrangement and designing. I now give free lessons at my church to the youths. Most of them have their own businesses,” said Mugwami.

He is one of the country’s ambassadors to One Young World, an international charity organization that recognizes youths aged between 18 and 30 who have demonstrated their leadership potential.

Many have already had an impact in their home countries on a range of issues.

Nonetheless, it has not been plain sailing for the Mugwami, who, like many in his generation, struggled to find a job after college. Things got worse when the economic problems in the country put paid to his prospects of running a business.

“It was not easy. Like many other small businesses, l went through difficult economic times and my business collapsed in just six months. However, I kept rising after every setback. Through the challenges, l learnt that success is a step-by-step process and that the only sure way to fail is to give up,” Mugwami.

His long-term is to build a college where youths can develop their designing skills. This ambition received a major boost after he received an offer in the designing industry in one of the most lucrative markets in the Far East. Such is the offer and aspiration to open the college that he will soon leave behind Kenashe Décor, his up-and-coming firm.

“My dream is to open an arts centre or college one day. I am on my way to achieving that and nothing will hold me back. l was offered a job in The United Arab Emirates as a designer. God is great! l am sure that by next year, construction of the college would have started. Life is never going to give a smooth ride. One who keeps on trying has more chance of being successful.”