Kalangwa Kamena

Can you introduce yourself and tell us about your role within the company?  

My names are Kalangwa Prisca Kamena, though do not use my English name that often. I am the Sales and Stock Control Manager at Tribal Textiles. 

When did you join Tribal Textiles and why did you pick Tribal Textiles? 

Well, I joined Tribal Textiles in 2016, initially, and then at the end of 2017, I went to the University and only came back when I was on holidays to work, up until I finished Uni in 2021 and came back. Been back since! 

Why did I pick Tribal? Well, it picked me! Haha! And am glad it did.
 

As a kid, growing up in Mfuwe, I always heard of this company called Tribal Textiles and I had some close family friends who worked there, of which some still do like Mordecai, Elias Mbewe, Kennedy Chulu, etc long list having grown up here.

I saw how Tribal employing from the community helped so much, I saw how they developed skills I found so fascinating such as painting, starching and screen printing.
 

I was beyond amazed and always wanted to be part of the team that made such an impact in the community and despite not being good at art, I wanted to be close to it.

Oh and also I need to add that I am a massive Man City fan!

Tell us about a colleague past or present who was inspiring to you. 

Over the years, a lot of people at Tribal have inspired me in different ways. 

However, My Uncle Nath has been nothing short of amazing and inspiring. He has taught me a lot from the very first day I stepped my foot at Tribal till date, from how to ask for help as refilling the price gun to the Excel spreadsheet and I keep learning more which helps me do my job well. He is passionate about his job, numbers I will say! He is also a smart hard worker which is my goal! He is amazing with everyone else and so patient with us all. Definitely, your first go to person at Tribal! He has become My Uncle even outside work. 

The other person is Bila, whom I call ‘Mummy’ cause since day one, she has treated me as her own and taught me more that I needed to know that I am where I am right now. She loves what she does and is great at it. Jovial and always smiling at work! The positive attitude she carries with as she approaches clients and gets things done is admirable. 

And lastly, Raph, our former Sales Manager, whom I was an assistant for, I worked with her for too short a period, but she taught me a lot in that short period, that helps me execute my job as Sales Manager. Her ability to get tasks done and break any barrier is one I want to emulate. Am grateful to her for the knowledge, not giving up when I could not get it right and always there to help me make corrections. And still there right now when I need help. Lol! 

So yeah, sorry could not be one colleague..ha! 

Can you share a memorable moment you have had at Tribal Textiles? 

There are a lot of memorable moments. However, this one is different. 

So, the valley, being the valley floods at times and believe you me despite having grown up here, I had never experienced floods in my life until 2022 when our offices were based elsewhere. 

It was in March I think, and the rains had gone on a break for two days. Uncle Nath and I were at the office that day and we had shut the door as it was a little chilly. The grounds were not muddy but due to the rain break, water was not in sight, or was it hiding? Lol.

At 10 am, I decided to step out and was greeted by water right by the office doorstep, and no, this office doorstep was not right on the ground, there were just a few stairs and yet water had risen to that level quietly without us knowing. In less than an hour, the water levels were already in my knees and by the time I left, hips! I was like oh my word! So, uuummm I got to experience floods. Not that it's a flex but I still cannot believe that that happened.  

The other time is when I was chased by Monkeys when I was reporting for work at the old Tribal and people say I run funny, I can surely say I heard those monkeys laughing at me as I ran! And our uniforms were these long, heavy skirts which I carried as I ran making that scenery not less funny for those monkeys which is why Honor, I am scared of monkeys! Haha. 

How would you describe Tribal Textiles? 

As a kid, when I heard the name Tribal Textiles, the first word that came to mind is ‘CREATIVITY’ and now that am part of it, I see that it is more than that, it is family, it is passion, it is love for what you do, it is innovation, it is giving back, it is a CREATIVE SPACE.  

Tribal Textiles helped me personally prepare for university when they employed an inexperienced teenager and showed her different skills and what society may look like. 

It is a learning space for those who want to learn passionately, not only acquire practical skills as well as people skills and how to live with others. 

It is a company that when it grows to its full potential will do more amazing things in the valley and on a national level as we are a passionate family, proud to showcase our abilities and evolve! 

What is the most rewarding part of your job? 

Forming business relationships that become firm, and long lasting, that we gain clients who trust us as a business to manage their orders despite being based far away in the valley of the beautiful South Luangwa. 

The other thing is reading about our clients loving the products they ordered and expressing their enthusiasm about our products. 

At times, when in the shop, I get to see how the faces of some of our clients brighten up because they got that tablecloth that they have chosen to remind them of their visit to Zambia, that cushion cover, that wall hanging, that, etc I may just mention all our products. Lol. 

It’s not just about the sale but also, the personal touch and the smile that comes from knowing our clients are happy with our deliverables.