24 Aug 2015

The coated sack that people dispose of after emptying either food stuff or other products is depositing money into Thabo Thomola’s pockets.The 25-year-old from Jackalas 2 has found life easier just by using cheap materials to earn a living. 

Thomola, who grew up in Francistown, is investing in tapestry weaving which is the art of winding and interlacing thread with a tapestry needle.In an interview recently, he said he was using wool, coated sack and a tapestry needle designed by himself to craft shoes, bags, jackets, mats, company logos and many more.

The energetic youngster pointed out that he learned the skills from a friend, Bonolo Kgautlhe of Kanye, whom he met some years back.“My fellow was learning craft weaving from one Zimbabwean guy and after I got charmed, I asked my friend to share the skills with me and that is how it all started,” he emphasised.

He said he was driven by the scarcity of employment and desired to show others that they should not wait for the government to alleviate them from poverty.Thomola noted that he was marketing and selling his crafts by moving between various places in all corners of Botswana, noting that he was driven by the vision of success.

Furthermore, the mobile craftsman pointed out that he does not only sell crafts, but also teaches his weaving skills to other youth, although he noted that the elderly were more interested in artwork than youngsters.

“I offer lessons and most non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have booked me to teach young people the basic skills of tapestry weaving,” he added.

Thomola noted that many people have entered competitions and managed to put bread on the table through his help.However, the young man expressed concern about some people who do not appreciate his artwork, adding that they want to buy his crafts at unreasonable prizes.

“They feel I am expensive overlooking the challenges I go through to finish my artwork. I wish they knew how I find it difficult to find the weaving materials since I use unique wools and sacks,” he stressed.

However, he said he believes since the world was changing, people would change with it and hopes one day they would recognise and appreciate his artwork.Thomola said he foresees his work growing into a big business in the coming years with stalls countrywide so that he could create employment for others. 

He advised other youth to help the government to fight poverty by creating jobs for themselves and not waiting to be spoon fed, adding that it was better to start up and seek help when the business fails. 

The young man also advised youngsters that patience, hope as well as self-determination pays off and urged them to hold onto their dreams until they were fulfilled. Ends