In the heart of Lilongwe, Malawi, a young woman named Roberta Kawiriza is quietly realising her dream through dying fabric.
At 26, Roberta is not only a university student pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Electronics at the University of Malawi but also proud founder of a small-scale thriving creative business.
Her hands tell stories of tie-dye zitenje fabrics full of life and colour and handcrafted handbags sewn with care and passion.
Her journey began unexpectedly. One day after school in 2014, she walked into her home and found her mother busy experimenting with tie-dye.
Her mother, a dedicated businesswoman, had just learned the art. But for Roberta, it was more than just colours on cloth—it was a spark. Something clicked.
That day marked the start of a journey she never imagined would become such a big part of her life.
With time, Roberta taught herself how to make handbags. Without formal training, she watched, tried, failed, and tried again. Her skill grew and so did her confidence.
For the past three years, she has been running her own small business, producing and selling dyed fabrics and bags through online orders.
Though she mostly works alone, she often receives a helping hand from her mother and sisters. More importantly, Roberta has become a mentor to others. So far, she has taught 12 people the art of tie-dye, offering them a chance to build something of their own.
One of her most successful trainees is Victoria Kachala. Victoria, now thriving in her own tie-dye business, credits her success to Roberta’s guidance.
“If it wasn’t for Roberta, I wouldn’t have discovered this path. She taught me everything patiently, step by step and now I can support myself,” said Victoria.
Just like many enterpreneurs, Roberta’s journey has not been without its challenges.
“One of the biggest challenges is accessing proper materials and equipment. Many of the tools we need aren’t found locally and importing them is expensive,” she explains.
Still, she presses on. With limited resources but unlimited determination, she continues to create, improve, and share her work with the world.
Roberta’s business has become more than a creative outlet. It’s a lifeline. It helps her pay for her university fees, support her siblings and contribute to her mother’s medical needs. Her mother, who suffers from back problems, had to stop her own business.
Looking ahead, Roberta dreams of building a fully-fledged manufacturing company to produce quality fabrics create job opportunities.
She also hopes to open a training centre where youth and women can learn tie-dye, gain skills to start their businesses.
“Things are hard in our country, but if organisations or government institutions could see the impact this kind of work has, we could reduce dependence on imported fabrics. One day, other countries could be buying from us,” she said.
Roberta Kawiriza’s story proves that sometimes the most powerful journeys begin with a quiet spark. With faith, family and determination, she is making an impact.
And with trainees such as Victoria now have taken their course underlining Roberta’s impact.
