Mzee Musaazi is not about to retire his sewing machine
Sep 22, 2011
AS one approaches 80 years, body aches and cloudy sight are expected. But 84-year-old Mzee Israel Musaazi is a different picture.
By Joshua Kato and Umar Nsubuga
AS one approaches 80 years, body aches and cloudy sight are expected. But 84-year-old Mzee Israel Musaazi is a different picture.
He casually and effortlessly pedals his sewing machine. The clatter of the machine seems to call out to passers-by to bring him their clothes for repair.
Irrespective of his advanced age, Mzee Musaazi can still look through the eye of a needle and put a thread through.
Simple beginnings
For six days a week, Monday to Saturday, for the last 58 years, Mzee Musaazi has sat here and pedaled away.
In 1951, before Uganda got independence and before more than half of the Ugandans today were born, a young Musaazi was looking for work to earn a living.
“I did not have so many options. I scavenged for a job, but when I failed to get any, I got a sewing machine from my brother and started using it,†he remembers.
He worked very hard at the machine. There were not so many people in the Seeta area, but those who were there gave him good business.
“They had all kinds of clothes and I never chased away anybody,†he says. In 1954 he had bought his own sewing machine.
“Buying my own machine was one of my best achievements and it still is today,†he remembers. Musaazi still keeps this memorable machine, although he has since bought several other machines.
With his own machine, business boomed. He saved money because he knew that was the best avenue for becoming rich.
“In 1958, I bought five acres of land in Seeta at sh350,†he remembers. When you see this figure, you might assume that land was cheap at the time.
However, according to Musaazi, it was a lot of money. “I was doing well, but it took me a whole four years to get sh350 to buy this land,†he says.
Work ethic does it
Musazi, a resident of Kiwanga in Mukono has got an elaborate work routine. He wakes up at 6:00am, goes to the garden up to 9:00am He grows matooke mostly.
He utilises one hour to walk a 3km distance up to Seeta town where he works. His ‘office’ is on his tenants’ verandas.
“Walking helps me keep fit. That is why I do it every day,’ he says.
Mzee Musazi says his courage, strict work ethics and faith in his work are the major forces that have enabled him move this far.
There are many tailors around this area, but most people take their clothes to Mzee Musaazi.
He says he enjoys every bit of his work, be it patching up a hole in a pair of trousers or shirt. He wears a smile as he works because he knows his work is what brings in the money. His feet pedal away and his hands pull in a way that only a seasoned tailor can co-ordinate the actions.
“He is a good person. He always listens to us and advises us on various issues. He has watched the growth of Seeta town, from a small village to what it is today,†says Sarah Mukasa, a resident.
Success litters his path
Success and the years of his sweat are ably portrayed on his five acre piece of land. He also has three plots of land in Mukono on top of the shops in Seeta.
Another of the residents, Michael Ssenoga says the Mzee is an interesting fellow.
“It is his knowledge and grasp of issues that baffles us. He can discuss any topic without scratching his head for answers,†he says.
Mzee Musaazi has seen and passed through all Uganda’s post-independence regimes.
Sitting along one of the major highways in this country has meant that he has seen and felt every happening in Uganda’s militalised history.
“Amin’s years were the worst. We only scavenged through,†he recalls. Whenever there was trouble, he and his family went into hiding, just like the rest of the population.
His best times have been the last 25 years since Museveni came to power, especially because of the prevailing peaceful environment.
“I do not think these have been good times for only me alone, but for many people. This is why Seeta is now a town,†he says.
On the five acres of land, he planted coffee to earn a side income. He has also since constructed several houses for rent, including commercial structures. The houses pay him well.
“This was a village,†he says as he looks around.
“I was among the very first people to settle here. I have seen it change to a town,†he beams. “Very few people of this generation will have such an honour,†he says.
He also advises youth to work hard. “Do not despise any job that comes your way. Realise that even if it is deemed to be a ‘bad’ job by the society, you can make it good,†he says.
“These are my last words and thanks go to all people who appreciate my work because if I did not serve for all these years people would not know me, but many have given me gifts.
I have even visited several places because of my good work. Many rich people in Mukono have taken me and my wife to eat with in expensive places. I appreciate that, God bless my customers,†he says.
“I respect my job because I have educated my children and I am happy that one my daughters took the same job I do†he says.
At 84, Mzee Musaazi is not considering retirement.
AS one approaches 80 years, body aches and cloudy sight are expected. But 84-year-old Mzee Israel Musaazi is a different picture.
He casually and effortlessly pedals his sewing machine. The clatter of the machine seems to call out to passers-by to bring him their clothes for repair.
Irrespective of his advanced age, Mzee Musaazi can still look through the eye of a needle and put a thread through.
Simple beginnings
For six days a week, Monday to Saturday, for the last 58 years, Mzee Musaazi has sat here and pedaled away.
In 1951, before Uganda got independence and before more than half of the Ugandans today were born, a young Musaazi was looking for work to earn a living.
“I did not have so many options. I scavenged for a job, but when I failed to get any, I got a sewing machine from my brother and started using it,†he remembers.
He worked very hard at the machine. There were not so many people in the Seeta area, but those who were there gave him good business.
“They had all kinds of clothes and I never chased away anybody,†he says. In 1954 he had bought his own sewing machine.
“Buying my own machine was one of my best achievements and it still is today,†he remembers. Musaazi still keeps this memorable machine, although he has since bought several other machines.
With his own machine, business boomed. He saved money because he knew that was the best avenue for becoming rich.
“In 1958, I bought five acres of land in Seeta at sh350,†he remembers. When you see this figure, you might assume that land was cheap at the time.
However, according to Musaazi, it was a lot of money. “I was doing well, but it took me a whole four years to get sh350 to buy this land,†he says.
Work ethic does it
Musazi, a resident of Kiwanga in Mukono has got an elaborate work routine. He wakes up at 6:00am, goes to the garden up to 9:00am He grows matooke mostly.
He utilises one hour to walk a 3km distance up to Seeta town where he works. His ‘office’ is on his tenants’ verandas.
“Walking helps me keep fit. That is why I do it every day,’ he says.
Mzee Musazi says his courage, strict work ethics and faith in his work are the major forces that have enabled him move this far.
There are many tailors around this area, but most people take their clothes to Mzee Musaazi.
He says he enjoys every bit of his work, be it patching up a hole in a pair of trousers or shirt. He wears a smile as he works because he knows his work is what brings in the money. His feet pedal away and his hands pull in a way that only a seasoned tailor can co-ordinate the actions.
“He is a good person. He always listens to us and advises us on various issues. He has watched the growth of Seeta town, from a small village to what it is today,†says Sarah Mukasa, a resident.
Success litters his path
Success and the years of his sweat are ably portrayed on his five acre piece of land. He also has three plots of land in Mukono on top of the shops in Seeta.
Another of the residents, Michael Ssenoga says the Mzee is an interesting fellow.
“It is his knowledge and grasp of issues that baffles us. He can discuss any topic without scratching his head for answers,†he says.
Mzee Musaazi has seen and passed through all Uganda’s post-independence regimes.
Sitting along one of the major highways in this country has meant that he has seen and felt every happening in Uganda’s militalised history.
“Amin’s years were the worst. We only scavenged through,†he recalls. Whenever there was trouble, he and his family went into hiding, just like the rest of the population.
His best times have been the last 25 years since Museveni came to power, especially because of the prevailing peaceful environment.
“I do not think these have been good times for only me alone, but for many people. This is why Seeta is now a town,†he says.
On the five acres of land, he planted coffee to earn a side income. He has also since constructed several houses for rent, including commercial structures. The houses pay him well.
“This was a village,†he says as he looks around.
“I was among the very first people to settle here. I have seen it change to a town,†he beams. “Very few people of this generation will have such an honour,†he says.
He also advises youth to work hard. “Do not despise any job that comes your way. Realise that even if it is deemed to be a ‘bad’ job by the society, you can make it good,†he says.
“These are my last words and thanks go to all people who appreciate my work because if I did not serve for all these years people would not know me, but many have given me gifts.
I have even visited several places because of my good work. Many rich people in Mukono have taken me and my wife to eat with in expensive places. I appreciate that, God bless my customers,†he says.
“I respect my job because I have educated my children and I am happy that one my daughters took the same job I do†he says.
At 84, Mzee Musaazi is not considering retirement.