19 Jun 2017

Ms Tsaone Motobi, 34, of Semotswane understands that being self-reliant saves one from the dependency syndrome as well as from pangs of hunger.

Ms Motobi is one out-of-school youth who responded to the clarion call that encouraged youth to strive to engage in viable activities so as to beat challenges of lack of employment.

She did junior certificate but did not perform well and could not proceed to secondary school. She noted that such failure did not dim her self-esteem, as she managed to come up with a way to better her standard of living. She started making and selling laces of cocoons (matlhoa).

“I have always had the zeal to be independent despite that I did not academically excel. To be pinned down by challenges of lack of employment opportunities never crossed my mind, so I settled for making laces of cocoons so as to stand independent,” she said.

Ms Motobi expressed that the skills of making matlhoa was something that she had been exposed to since her teen years.

She said she grew up under the care of her grandmother who used to make them and other handicrafts, selling them at the railway station back then when the passenger train used to stop at Shashe.

“My grandmother used to make these crafts and sell them at the station, but since the passenger train no longer stopovers she lost interest and the business collapsed,” she said.

Ms Motobi noted that when she embarked on the activity three years back, she was optimistic that with the demand of these by traditional dance troupes, individuals and other ritual dancers she would penetrate the market.

“The demand on the use of matlhoa cannot be underestimated, some groups use it for setapa and tsutsube dance tactics while other individuals use them to complete their ritual attires,” she said.

Ms Motobi said the process of making matlhoa entails harvesting dried mophane worms cocoons which are then soaked in water so as soften them up.

She then uses a pair of scissors to cut open the cocoons and remove the larvae and then fill the cocoons with tinny stones then seal through stitching.

The tinny stones filled in are meant to produce a soothing sound that blends well with songs as the dancer hops up and down.

“To seal these cocoons I have to stitch both sides and this requires the use of a strong thread to last long,” she said.

She added that the thread was also made lengthy to make a lace which holds the cocoons together and also enables an easy tie up around the ankle.

Ms Motobi also highlighted that after stitching, the laces are soaked again and be stretched between poles so that they dry up in a straight manner.

She sells her end products at P70 per lace and due to customer care and customer satisfaction, she sometimes has to negotiate prices. She said price negotiations also help her to retain her customers.

She also provides credit to some of her trusted customers with an agreement that binds them to settle their debts on month end.

Currently, Ms Motobi operates along the road just by the bus stop and this helps her to be exposed to her diverse customers.

She said her products get sold out when there are some traditional dance competitions going on.

“The profits I always make have taken me afar, I manage to put food on table for my family and I do save some so as to take my business project to another level,” she said.

When quizzed on why she was reluctant to take advantage of availed entrepreneurial empowerment initiative, Ms Motobi said her products were not executed through the use of any sophisticated machinery.

“I don’t need any complicated machinery to come up with these cocoons, as long as I have the right needle and enough raw materials. We should always be considerate and give those who really need financial assistance a chance,” she said.

She cited scarce of the cocoons as one challenge she faced, adding that she always keeps her ears open and sometimes travels as far as Mathathane and other areas to harvest the cocoons.

Ms Motobi advised out-of-school youth to always fight to outshine and never give up on their dreams. BOPA