Culture amongst countries greatly varies depending on the region visited and beliefs of the people. For different cultures, the values they hold with regards to work and how it is to be performed is easily differentiated through the efforts made in order to achieve their daily objectives. An Analysis of African Countries with respect to the growth and development of the clothing Industry currently present gives an analogy of what work means to various people and their views on the same. Through an analysis of Richard Sennets’ The Craftsman (2008) and Andrew Brooks Clothing Poverty (2005) , an analysis regarding Sennet’s idea of what work is and its potential to improve the quality of our existence is made against the views of Brooks with reference to the Clothing industry and the various transformations that occur.
Sennet argues most people either choose to produce quality-driven work or not. The difference in these two forms of work delivery is the urge to attain profits (Sennet, 2008). Profit driven organizations choose to perform work that falls short of the standard of quality required. This is observed in the Clothing Industry as explained by Brooks. Compared to the second-hand items that are often on sale in African markets, new items most of the time are of lower quality as they attract a wider market base (Brooks, 2005). The Craftsmanship employed in development of work for profit differs from that developed when working to produce quality items. There is a process through which a person dedicates themselves to learn and adapt. Out of sheer passion, their work becomes consistent. This drive gives a person a sense of vocation and from this profit from their hard earned labour (Sennet, 2008). Evidence of this theory is observed in the African Second-hand market which is essentially funding most of the people’s lifestyles and basic needs.
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In African Markets, there has been a flood of western cultures. In response to this, various suppliers have identified a growing need to emulate western culture and hence, the growing demand for clothing items currently trending in the European countries in Africa (Brooks, 2005). The Manufacturers of these products observe the influx of demand and continue production of these items using lower quality material while at the same time observing higher profit margins. The people living in poverty on the other hand prefer the purchase of second hand clothes. These clothes, to the well-off, are viewed as outdated and hence can gather losses for most of the traders.
In Maputo, traders who have observed this trend often collect the-best of second-hand clothes and sell them alongside new items and can sell new items as used. Often, the second hand items sell for even, double the price of the new items as they are viewed to be of good quality that is longer lasting (Brooks, 2005). Tailors also employ the use of Clothes transformation. Second hand clothes are tailor made to meet certain fashion criteria and gather their fair share of profit when sold as new items “recently imported”. The provision of second-hand clothes that are of better quality than new items has driven such traders to have repeat customers. The average profits previously observed now double the profits attained for new items (Brooks, 2005).
In conclusion, without regard to profitability, second-hand Tailoring and Clothing Industry in Africa serves as an example of methods used to provide quality. As is observed in Mozambique, Kenya, Zambia and other African countries, the use of clothes transformation in order to meet the current trends posed by Western Cultures allows appreciation of the Second-hand industry. Tailors have achieved a state where they are able to better adjust their lifestyles to meet the customer preferences and provide quality clothing that is both affordable and profitable compared to new item. It is through the observation of work as a tool to improve one’s existence that a person is able to employ their craftsmanship in order to maintain and attain quality and from that improve their lives and its consequent development.
References
Brooks, A. (2005). Clothing Poverty: The Hidden World of fast-fashion and Second-Hand Clothes. Zed Books Publishers. ISBN: 1783600705. Print.
Sennet, R. (2008). The Craftsman. Yale University Press. New Haven & London. Print.
