Since returning to Zambia from university in the United States, it became clear to Muchanga that the textile industry needed urgent reviving: "The textile industry is non-existent," she said bluntly. Many designers want to support local production but quality and capacity are low. Inexpensive but better quality imports have killed the Zambian textile industry. This means that this new crop of designers are forced to import their materials which in turn increases their costs significantly. Muchanga believes that raising local production levels and education of the various skill sets required will be important steps to supporting future growth. Her dream is to see a "co-dependent local ecosystem" in which products, of whatever sort, can be produced in Zambia from locally supplied materials which in turn support other industries to create jobs and keep revenue within the country.
144 kilometres (90 miles) north of Lusaka lies the Mulungushi Textiles factory in Kabwe. The factory is a monument to a former era. The facility was created as a state-owned enterprise during the socialist reign of first Republican President Dr Kenneth Kaunda. Following the liberalisation of the Zambian economy in 1991, the textile industry had little protection from outside competition and the factory subsequently closed in the mid 90s. It was reopened some years later and then closed again. Earlier this year, there was talk of reviving it but nothing has materialised to date. There is a growing wave of economically-patriotic designers in Zambia. It is therefore critical that the relevant stakeholders come together and chart the way forward for the textiles industry. If the industry remains exposed to the onslaught of cheap imports, then the goal of helping it grow will remain elusive.