The sound of sewing machines and that of music welcomes clients who wish to press orders and buying as well.
Peeping through the window are the Harare City Council traffic police officers busy restoring order in the capital city.
Such is the life of Emmanuel Thomas, a former member of the Frontline Kids, a band that played Afro-acid fusion of jiti and Western music, now a pastor at Disciples Fellowship International Church at Ushewokunze high-density suburb in Harare goes through.
“We manufacture bags for musical instruments, I discovered in 1995 that most musicians were travelling around with uncovered instruments [guitars, keyboards and drums] causing scratches on them,” Thomas said.
“From there the Lord opened the doors for me to make the instruments bags so that musicians’ equipments will be well-secured.
“With time we had to diversify through compliments from so many customers and we started making satchels, laptop bags, ray bags and sports bags.
“I am the one who does all the designs of everything that we make.”
Due to great demand in the business, Thomas had to move into the central business district, for the convenience of customers.
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“As the company grew, we had to shift our and operate in the central business district for the easy access of our customers,” he said.
“We then decided to advertise on Facebook and WhatsApp accounts for the company.
“We have started receiving orders as far as South Africa since there very few companies that manufacture musical instrument bags.
“So far I have discovered that there are very few competitors and I have noticed only one guy, who has a similar model like mine.
“It’s now different from selling musical instruments where there are many players.”
Although Thomas has made strides, he bemoans lack of materials in his business.
“We do have problems, especially on our material where we are importing zips thereby affecting our operations,” he said.
Thomas is working on a new album for his wife who is set to launch it before the end of this year.
