I Choose Second Hand

In Rwanda there's a ban on the import of second hand clothing.

What does the local population think about this and what are the consequences of this ban?

for Vrij Nederland

Sunset above the centre of Kigali seen from Remera district. The city has more than a million inhabitants and is growing and developing quickly. At first sight everything looks clean and well maintained, but dirt-roads also remain part of the city.
Sarah Ndinubanzi, 35 years old, lives in Masaka. An outskirt of the city of Kigali. She likes to buy her clothes at Kabuga market. "I prefer second hand clothes, it is cheaper and I like them better than new clothes most of the time," she explains.
Emmanuel Bizimana, 14 years old from Gasiza village.
Emmanuel Mutabazi, 23 years old, lives in Masaka. An outskirt of the city of Kigali. At a small market in Masaka people sell second hand clothes. Emmanuel likes to buy his clothes at the market of Masaka.
Aline Mukundaysinga, 14 years old, lives in the neighborhood Nyagatovu in Kigali.
Emmanuel Ntakiyimana, 23 years old. He is wearing workers clothes. The textile industry in Rwanda is up until now mostly making clothes for the army, the government and workers outfits, like the one Emmanuel is wearing.
Early in the morning a woman is swiping the streets near Kimironko market in Kigali. A market where you can buy vegetables, fish, meat, but also new and second hands clothes. Throughout the city many women are cleaning the streets, cutting the grass and picking up trash. Although it is a paid job they don't earn much, 30.000 Rwandan Franc, which is about €30,- a month. One of the women said she had to maintain her five children with what she earned, which led to economical problems.
Kayumba James (27). He likes to buy his clothes at the Kimironko market in Kigali. Although he sometimes also buys new clothes, second hand clothes are cheaper.
Dedine Munezero, 18 years old, lives in Masaka with her family. An outskirt of the city of Kigali. At a small market in Masaka people sell second hand clothes.
At the office of Utexrwa, a local textile producer, a picture of president Kagame hangs on the wall. In many offices the same picture is present and represents the omnipresence of the government influence.