Feature: Zambian woman turns discarded tires into tables

LUSAKA, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) — In an economy where jobs are hard to come by, many people in Zambia are coming up with various innovations to make ends meet.
One such person is 34-year-old Chanda Zimba, a resident of Lusaka, the country’s capital, who is turning discarded car tires into nicely decorated tables for both home and office use.
While most vehicle owners would discard their car tires once they wear out, Zimba decides to make them a source of income. Driven by the artistic skills developed during her school days, Zimba is transforming the discarded tires into nicely-looking tables.
After completing her secondary education in 2009, Zimba met her challenges to pursue higher education because there was no one to pay for her school fees. She then decided to utilize her artistic skills to find something meaningful to do.
“Since childhood, I have always wanted to do something different. I didn’t want to do what other girls were doing, like applying makeup or baking. I loved challenges and always enjoyed doing my own thing,” she said in an interview with Xinhua.
Asked where she got the idea of turning used tires into tables, Zimba said she was inspired after seeing people on social media making things from different materials. She started making bottle decorations and wall hangers before venturing into making tables from car tires, as the materials were readily available.
It took her some time to perfect her craft and emerge on the market because she aimed at not only the local market but also the export market. To promote her tables, Zimba has actively participated in local exhibitions organized by the government. She has so far participated in six exhibitions.
Zimba, chief executive officer of Nalu’s Creation, has been running the business for the last two years. Although progress has been slow, she is optimistic that it will pick up, as she has received a lot of inquiries after posting the tables on various social media platforms, with some of the calls from neighboring countries.
Zimba is currently the only one running her business, but she is confident that her innovation has the potential to grow into a large company that could employ other people.
She urged young people in Zambia to stop complaining and relying solely on the government for employment, saying they should utilize their talents to empower themselves. ■