Widow defying the odds

Rumbidzai Ngwenya Features Writer “DESPERATE times breed desperate measures,” wrote William Shakespeare.

After Evelyn Ruzvidzo of Epworth’s husband died from a sudden illness early this year leaving her with four children, it was time for her to think outside the box.

She could not mourn forever, but gear up to face challenges that came with being a widow, after all she had a family who looked up to her.

For all their lives the family relied on Ruzvidzo’s husband who repaired watches and shoes for a living in the Harare Central Business District.

But now that he was gone, the burden weighed heavily on her, the children had to feed and go to school.

With the knowledge she had acquired from her husband over time, Ruzvidzo decided to pick up where her late husband had left.

She headed to the streets of Harare and tried fitting in her late husband’s shoes.

At first it was not easy, as she could not fit in a male-dominated profession.

Even people could not believe that she, a lady, could be good at repairing watches and shoes.

Ruzvidzo wanted to prove a point and did her best.

Slowly, but surely, she begun to gain confidence and eventually mastered the art. Today, she has a strong customer base that relies on her services.

“When you have a family to feed, sex becomes one thing and what you have to do for survival is another,” said Ruzvidzo.

“Without any qualification and having been depended on my husband for a long time, there was nothing I could do. I just had to utilise the knowledge I gained from my husband and make the best out of it.”

Although it’s seven months since she was widowed, she had managed to provide for her family through what most could consider rare.

Ruzvidzo is passionate about what she does. She even dreams of being a professional.

To her, providing for the family is her number one priority and is willing to work harder each day.