Tibatane
OUR STORY
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In the summer of 2013, Founder Bernice Jere was invited to a sustainable business conference by a family friend. At the event she met with inspiring entrepreneurs that were using the power of business to make a change in the world. That event led to numerous conversations and thinking about how she could begin to make a difference and sustainably improve the problems in her home country, Zimbabwe. A country that has been undergoing high levels of unemployment and limited economic opportunity.
Growing up surrounded by poverty, while having a fortunate upbringing, Bernice always felt she wanted to do something to sustainably alleviate the poverty around her. Back in college at Salisbury University, in the fall of 2013, Bernice reached out to some college friends and together decided to create some products that they felt could connect to Africa while also enabling other students to help and join the community. The Tibatane fashion brand was born.
Learn more about Tibatane at www.tibatane.org
WHAT we want to do
Tibatane will hire and train unemployed women and young people in Zimbabwe to sew our t-shirts and accessories. They will be paid fair wages and provided education, gardening and business mentorship support that will empower them to get out of poverty. We believe in the dignity of work, and provide a holistic approach to enabling people to permanently rise out of poverty.
For every product purchased, 10% will support specific community development projects in Zimbabwe. We are starting off with two agriculture projects in December 2014.
WHERE your contribution will go
Here is a breakdown of our budget. With your help we will cover our initial production costs here in the US, which requires we meet production minimums. That means $7,000 to hire a contract manufacturer, including patternmaking, sourcing fabric, sewing, packaging, shipping and labels. In addition, we will use $10,000 of the money to set up our Zimbabwe factory including training, getting machines, legal and set up fees. $3000 will be used for setting up our brand rep program and legal fees, that’s $20,000 which is why we really need your help.
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You can SIGN UP for our weekly email updates to stay in the loop!
Email Bernice Jere: bernice@tibatane.org
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Share our story on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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We will be giving away a Pocket Tee w/ African fabric to one of our Facebook community members at the end of our Indiegogo campaign, so make sure to "like" our Facebook page!
And lastly, visit our new website to see our lookbook & see how to join our community.
[FAQs at the bottom]
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The Rewards!
Logo Tee: S-XL (unisex) (larger sizes available upon request)
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Men's Cross Tee: S-XL
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"Men's Cross Tee w/ Mazowe fabric"
Ladies' Cross Tank: XS-XL
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"Ladies' Cross Tank w/ Angwa fabric"
Men's Denim: XS-XL (larger sizes available upon request)
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"Men's Denim w/ Mazowe fabric"
Ladies' Denim: XS-XL (larger sizes available upon request)
Men's Bowtie: please specify PRE-TIED or CLASSIC style.
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"Bow-tie w/ Mazowe fabric"
Ladies' Headband: one size fits all.
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"Headband w/ Limpopo fabric"
"Ladies' Denim w/ Limpopo fabric"
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"Headband w/ Mazowe fabric"
Men's Dress Shirt: S-L, white or black (larger sizes available upon request)
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"Men's White Dress Shirt w/ Chiredzi fabric"
"Men's Black Dress Shirt w/ Mazowe fabric"
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"Men's Black Dress shirt w/ Mazowe fabric"
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"Men's White Dress shirt w/ Chiredzi fabric"
"Ladies' Denim w/ Munyati fabric"
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AFRICAN FABRICS
Mazowe Angwa Munyati Sebakwe Zambezi![]()
Limpopo Ngezi Chiredzi Pungwe Shamva
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FAQs
What does the name Tibatane mean?
--Tibatane means "together" in Shona, one of Zimbabwe's official languages.
How do I pronounce Tibatane?
(tea - but - ahn - ay)
Will buying Tibatane products create jobs?
--Yes! Buying Tibatane products will create jobs for the women in our factory. Additionally, the funds we raise from the clothing line will go toward helping Zimbabwean micro-entrepreneurs start their own sustainable businesses.
How does it work?
--You purchase a Tibatane product and pick the fabric of your choice. We donate 30% to community development projects that help develop micro-entrepreneurs. We commit to two specific projects a year.
Who did your video?--David Parks of Dew Point Media did all videography and editing.
