13 Aug 2015

Crocheting, which is the art of making a fabric by looping and intertwining thread with a hooked needle, has long been practiced by the older women.

However, this art did not go unnoticed by 32-year-old Chika Hunyepa who said in an interview recently that she inherited it from her mother. 

“I got hooked on crocheting at a young age after my mother designed a yellow wool two-piece dress for me and since then, I started imitating her using a hooked twig and wool and the rest is history,” said Hunyepa.

The young woman, who designs bags, wallets, hats, shoes and key holders said although she holds a business management certificate, she finds crocheting more rewarding than being employed.

She stressed that in 2007, she discovered raffia, a material that is durable and stiffer than wool and she intertwined it with top rings to decorate and make her products more attractive and long lasting.

Furthermore, Hunyepa, who registered her company called Tsatsing Meriting Creations in 2006, said she competed in the 2013 Department of Gender Affairs competition in Francistown.

She won the unique product prize and that encouraged her to be more creative and innovative in designing her products.  

Her products prices range from P20 to P300 depending on the size and the design, and that puts food on the table for her.

She has however complained about some consumers who prefer substandard goods, stressing that her products were durable and worth the prize. Hunyepa also stated that she does after-sale service for her customers by maintaining zippers and linings of bags.

She has worked with Matsiloje Primary School pupils during the Junior Achievement Botswana (JAB), and expressed her interest in passing her skills to the youth, especially primary school pupils.

Hunyepa noted that not all pupils can excel academically, but that teaching them how to croch could make them develop interest and earn a living from it. ENDS