Oldest chimney sweep in Zenica, 75-year-old Munib Šabić: I want to pass my knowledge on to the young

Although in his eighth decade of life, Munib Šabić has been maintaining numerous chimneys on Zenica houses for more than half a century. He is the only qualified and registered chimney sweep in the Zenica region.

This vital old man says he passed the course in 1957 and has never parted with his chimney sweep uniform and tools since then.

- Back in 1957, when I qualified for this job, people didn't want to do it then, just as they don't today. At that time, I cleaned chimneys on Zenica households but also on the most challenging and largest building in the city – Lamela – the 75-year-old Munib tells the Bosnian news agency Patria.

At that time, he says, he worked from morning until night, and today he does it on call. Still, he can boast that there is no shortage of work.

- Most often, people hear about me from others who recommend me, and since I receive a minimal pension, I will do this job as long as I am healthy. It is very important to be a trustworthy person because people give you the keys to their homes - says Šabić.

He points out that there are a few "wild" chimney sweeps, but people know how to recognize them, which is why he is often overwhelmed with calls. As he says, if he were born again, he wouldn't hesitate too much; he would put on the chimney sweep uniform again.

- Zenica needs more chimney sweeps, and that's why I would call on young people to take an interest in this very interesting job, since I can barely keep up with all the obligations. It saddens me that there used to be 25 chimney sweeps, and today this adventurous job is reduced to just one man, me - says Šabić, somewhat disappointed.

The man in black, as the people of Zenica affectionately call him, with a rope and a ball, now makes a living. With his equipment, expertise, and knowledge, he is ready to take on even the most demanding buildings in the city.

He says he would like to get a young colleague to whom he would gladly pass on his knowledge and experience, and then he would peacefully retire.