Ouma Somaes sewing her way out of hardship
Self-taught seamstress makes magic in Henties
"I never got training. I think it is a blessing from above that has now turned into my passion," Somaes said.
Tanja Bause
Windhoek
In a zinc room in Henties Bay, a small woman sits behind an old sewing machine. She is making magic with colourful material and creating the most beautiful traditional Nama dresses.
Christofina Somaes (65) was born in Outjo. Her mother died during childbirth, and she was sent to the farm.
“I was sent to the farm between Outjo and Kalkveld and looked after the people’s sheep and cattle there. I never had the opportunity to go to school. I just had to work in the field and take care of animals. I only learnt to read and write very late in my life and today I can read Khoekhoegowab and Afrikaans and a little bit of English.”
It is on the farm where her love for sewing began. Affectionately known as ‘Ouma’ [grandmother], she collected old materials and taught herself to sew.
“I never got training. I think it is a blessing from above that has now turned into my passion. I make my own clothes and design clothes for other people and then make them myself.
Let’s Try
“At the moment, my sewing machine is very old and I struggle with it, so the master of the clothes, blankets and bedding is made by hand.”
When she was 27, Somaes moved to Henties Bay.
“I also went there to look for work. In those years, Henties Bay was a very peaceful, quiet town with many opportunities.
“I got a job as a domestic worker and did the job for 30 years, while making clothes to earn more money. I called my business ‘Let’s Try’, although I never officially registered that name.”
When Somaes left her job due to health reasons, she began to concentrate on her sewing full-time.
Lowest moment
She had seven children and she has 19 grandchildren.
Somaes said the death of her two children was the most difficult time of her life.
“I have made peace, but the hurt remains. My son died suddenly shortly after his wedding and my daughter later in a car accident. It was the lowest moment in my life and something I don’t ever want to experience again.”
With the money Somaes earns from her sewing, she pays for water, electricity and food. Currently, there is not much left for the purchase of new material.
“If people have old pieces of material lying around that they no longer want to use or need, I would appreciate it. The clothes and blankets I make are made from rags, so I don’t need metres and metres of material. Any pieces will work and I will be grateful.”
Windhoek
In a zinc room in Henties Bay, a small woman sits behind an old sewing machine. She is making magic with colourful material and creating the most beautiful traditional Nama dresses.
Christofina Somaes (65) was born in Outjo. Her mother died during childbirth, and she was sent to the farm.
“I was sent to the farm between Outjo and Kalkveld and looked after the people’s sheep and cattle there. I never had the opportunity to go to school. I just had to work in the field and take care of animals. I only learnt to read and write very late in my life and today I can read Khoekhoegowab and Afrikaans and a little bit of English.”
It is on the farm where her love for sewing began. Affectionately known as ‘Ouma’ [grandmother], she collected old materials and taught herself to sew.
“I never got training. I think it is a blessing from above that has now turned into my passion. I make my own clothes and design clothes for other people and then make them myself.
Let’s Try
“At the moment, my sewing machine is very old and I struggle with it, so the master of the clothes, blankets and bedding is made by hand.”
When she was 27, Somaes moved to Henties Bay.
“I also went there to look for work. In those years, Henties Bay was a very peaceful, quiet town with many opportunities.
“I got a job as a domestic worker and did the job for 30 years, while making clothes to earn more money. I called my business ‘Let’s Try’, although I never officially registered that name.”
When Somaes left her job due to health reasons, she began to concentrate on her sewing full-time.
Lowest moment
She had seven children and she has 19 grandchildren.
Somaes said the death of her two children was the most difficult time of her life.
“I have made peace, but the hurt remains. My son died suddenly shortly after his wedding and my daughter later in a car accident. It was the lowest moment in my life and something I don’t ever want to experience again.”
With the money Somaes earns from her sewing, she pays for water, electricity and food. Currently, there is not much left for the purchase of new material.
“If people have old pieces of material lying around that they no longer want to use or need, I would appreciate it. The clothes and blankets I make are made from rags, so I don’t need metres and metres of material. Any pieces will work and I will be grateful.”
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