08 Mar 2017

A sjambok or a whip is traditionally made from hide, but now it is commonly made out of plastic.
According to those who use it, it is an effective and underrated self-defense weapon ever.
In most African traditions, a sjambok, like a knobkerrie, has no price. It can be crafted and carried by anyone, but in today’s world of business, a sjambok in some quarters is big business. The 57-year-old Mr Joseph Dieta of Maun has found business in selling sjamboks.
Speaking in an interview with BOPA, Mr Dieta said he started his business about 50 years ago while he was a small boy.
“I always had love for business since I was a boy, and I was inspired by the fact that when watching movies I saw many people being killed by knives and guns. Then it came to my mind that sjamboks are the best tools for discipline as they won’t kill one or course bad bodily harm,” he said.
Mr Dieta said when he was young at the cattle post he saw farmers whipping their livestock with sticks and sometimes throwing stones at them, something he felt was dangerous as it could harm such animals.
It was then that he was inspired to start the business of selling sjamboks to be used at cattleposts to drive cattle or horses.
“My business benefits me in two ways as it uplifts my life and helps in cleaning the environment at the same time because I use plastics,” he said.
The Gabane-born old man, who travels the whole of Botswana selling sjamboks, commended some government departments such as Police and Prisons, which he counted among his major clients, adding that his dream was to grow his business base.
“I am targeting all people especially those in businesses like taxis, who are always attacked by thieves,” he said.
One of his customers, who is also a taxi operator in Maun, Mr Tatlhego Kedumetse commended the old man for his creativity.
“A sjambok is vital, especially for us in businesses as it will help us to defend ourselves.” he said.
Mr Kedumetse said he was once ttacked and robbed by thieves while driving his taxi in Gaborone, saying if he had the sjamboks by then he could have managed to ‘discipline’ them.
He encouraged the business community to support the pensioner, who deviced a tool that could discipline without killing and is friendly to the environment. ENDS