South Sudan craftsmen convert tires into cheap shoes Varieties

Amid unprecedented economic deterioration, craftsmen in southern Sudan are invented by a means of survival, by making simple shoes from used car tires, in light of the high costs of living and the government’s inability to pay salaries.

Creativity driven by the crisis

Although converting tires into shoes is not new in East Africa, as Rwanda and Kenya knew it as a symbol of local innovation, the escalation of the economic crisis in South Sudan made this craft an indispensable option among the poor.

The decline in oil revenues has paralyzed the government’s ability to pay employee wages, from soldiers to teachers, which exacerbated the suffering of citizens.

Options for necessity

In the city of Wow, 650 km from the capital, Juba, the shoe maker is Emmanuel Athawell under the canopy of the fabric inside the main market. It collects old tires and cut them with a sharp knife, adding colored belts to make simple and strong soles.

Athawell has noticed an increase in demand in recent months, as it has made between 5 and 10 pairs per week, and sells them about 15,000 pounds in southern Sudanese (about 4 dollars), depending on size and quality. “Even in the worst conditions, lack of food and absence of jobs, this craft does not let me down. People always need shoes, especially cheap ones.”

Grading shoes and inflation resistance

Akol Magok Ring, a sponsor of livestock in Warrab state, says he bought a pair of her for being perfect for grazing. “When I move with livestock throughout the day, these slippers are best, they are durable and suitable for rough roads.”

Economic economy

Since 2023, the local currency has been subjected to great pressure, due to the oil export disorders caused by the war in the adjacent Sudan.

While relying on oil revenues to finance 90% of the government budget, the damage to the pipeline caused a temporary export stop this year, pushing millions below the poverty line according to the World Bank.

Dreaming of a workshop

Atchuel, who has learned the craft since he was a child watching senior makers, wants to create an integrated workshop for youth training, but faces challenges in obtaining the necessary tools and materials due to the absence of official support.

“If you have better cutting tools, and the possibility to expand, I would have trained many young people here in Wow. This skill can save them from unemployment,” he says.