Sixty-two-year-old Enoh Samuel popularly known as Pa Sam is a professional shoe mender in Bangem, Kupe Muanenguba Division, South West Region. In his 44 years as a shoe mender, Pa Sam plans to set up a shoe factory in Bangem. In this exclusive interview with The Ultimate’s Olive Ejang, the shoe mender says irrespective of his vision, his major barrier is the financial limitation.
As a solution giver to people’s shoes in the sub division, Pa Sam calls on the youths to engage in the profession which is a great source of living. He also talks about the beauty of the profession, the challenges and the future of his job.
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What took you into shoe mending?
Actually, I got into shoe mending at the age of 18. I was living with my elder brother in Great Soppo, Buea and when I completed my primary school in 1979, he told me I would learn a vocation instead of going to secondary school. My brother enrolled me as apprentice to a popular shoe mender in Buea. I spent two years in training and upon graduation in 1981, I opened my workshop in Buea. From Buea, I moved to Bangem where I established my workshop.
What triggered you to move Buea to Bangem?
I came to Bangem in 1995. Actually my elder sister got married in Bangem and when I visited her, I realized there was no established shoe mender in Bangem. So I decided to open my workshop here as a professional shoe mender to help the population of Bangem Sub Division. I love my job so much and I am satisfied mending the shoes of people.
How long have you been mending shoes in Bangem?
I have been mending shoes in Bangem for 28 years. I am not limited only to Bangem. The entire population of the sub division counts on me to repair their shoes. Usually on our weekly market days, people from villages within the sub division bring their shoes for repairs.
Most people look at shoe mending as a mean job with little income. How do you cope with this?
Hahahahaha. Meanness is in the mind. Shoe mending is a profession like any other. We live in a society whereby without a shoe mender, people cannot survive. We are Cameroonians and we can’t afford new shoes every day. A shoe mender is of great necessity to our communities. Just imagine Bangem without a shoe mender, the population will be in trouble. People call me within the day and at night to repair their shoes. I give solution to all types of shoes in Bangem Sub Division.
How lucrative is the shoe mending profession?
I can say the profession is lucrative because it is my major source of living. I take care of my wife and five kids from my earnings in shoe mending. Even though the income is not stable as it ranges from seasons, I raise between FCFA 50.000 to FCFA 100.000 monthly. My monthly income goes higher during festive periods and school resumption. I am into njangi schemes where I save money for investment. Also, since in Cameroon we must diversify, I also do farming on the sideline. I have been able to establish farms from my earnings in shoe mending.
What are some of the challenges you face in the profession?
First of all, there are limited materials in Bangem. Mostly, I travel to Nkongsamba to buy materials. I envisage a future where I can import materials from Nigeria and Europe to curb this situation. Also some customers offer minute pay for work done. They even look low on me and think I don’t deserve payments. I understand that in life, we must have such situations. I don’t respond to their insults but focus on my job. This has been my motivation.
I also find myself in a situation where people abandon their shoes with me for years. Some even forget that they brought their shoes for repairs. I used to burn abandoned shoes because they wear out with time and I don’t have a big store.
What are your future plans as a shoe mender?
I have plans to establish a shoe making factory in Bangem. I am 62 years old. But that will not limit me at all. I used to produce sandals and shoes but for now, I don’t have the financial capacity. I plan to open a vocational training center in Bangem where I will train youths on the production of sandals and shoes. I am pleading with the government and people of good will to support this initiative that will curb unemployment in Cameroon.
What legacy have you left as a shoe mender?
So far, I have trained many shoe menders who are doing well. However, we have many charlatans in the profession. Anybody can just rise up today and decides to go into shoe mending without training. These are the people spoiling our profession. Even some foreigners like Chadians and Malians roaming the streets doing shoe mending are not trained. They end up doing bad jobs for the population. I wish to advise all shoe menders to obtain some degree of training before opening their doors to the public. I am ready to train more Cameroonians in shoe making.
What advise do you have for the youths?
I am calling on the youths to get into vocational training like shoe mening. Rather than indulging in scamming, prostitution and banditry, join me in shoe mending so that we build a better Cameroon. Foreigners are earning great income from this profession. Don’t see this job as mean, what matters is the take home package.
Any Last Word?
Besides shoe mending, I also mend bags and other gadgets made from leather.
I wish to appreciate all my customers for trusting in my services, especially those who persevere when I can’t deliver on time.
Can we know more about you?
I hail from Batibo, Momo Division, North West Region. I have lived in Bangem for 28 years. I am married with five kids.
Interviewed by Olive Ejang
