25 Jul 2017

Ms Tumisang Ngwanaathebe’s passion for working with leather dates back to her years as a toddler. Back then, she would watch her grandparents and uncles working with leather. 

However, she owes her breakthrough to members of the American Peace Corps who spotted her in Molepolole doing her craft and the rest is history.

The 42-year-old Makopong born woman, who relocated to Molepolole because of marriage, draws inspiration from her roots in Kgalagadi District where they specialised in manufacturing leather materials. 

 “Whenever I see an animal being slaughtered, whether it’s a cow or a goat, I feel the urge to run there and ask for the leather. It pains me a lot when they leave the skin unattended with blood all over,” she said.

Ms Ngwanaathebe’s passion and creativity in working with leather is acknowledged by certificates and awards which speak volumes of her work. 

She took part in a number competitions and exhibitions where she showcased her talent. She has participated in the Kweneng art exhibitions competitions where she scooped position one.

She also scooped prizes during the national Women’s Expo. 

One of her recent works, which has attracted attention, is a gift bag made out of leather. 

“Requests are pouring in that I should make branded bags to be given to VIPS during special occasions. Orange Botswana has also made a request for branded gift bags,” she said.

And to see a woman having ventured into that kind of project one would think Ms Ngwanathebe was using huge machines to get her work done. 

But from raw leather to making end products, she is using nothing but her hands to tan and soften the leather, including dyeing and colouring using natural resources to reduce costs.

“I use household utensils to tan and soften the leather. Letlhajwa and Mokapane plants help me to remove fur and to add colour, I use Mosetlha, Mositsane, Segwagadi, Mogonono and other plants,” she said.

She explained that the end products of her leather work were leather mats, waist coats, umbrellas, and shields. She also gets invitations from lodges to make decorative art frames.

She said in 2010 she joined the Ramatlabama training centre to further her studies, a programme which took six weeks. 

Upon completion, Ms Ngwanathebe ventured into making more artifacts and attending exhibitions to get exposure. 

“I also joined hands with BOTA, they saw my art and loved it. Botswana Qualifcations Authority (BQA) also kept on inviting me for workshops, and I was groomed as an assessor and a trainer in leather work,” she said.

 Ms Ngwanathebe said she even gets invitations to teach leather making to women beneficiaries of poverty eradication schemes. 

Her students also include trainees from Molepolole College of Education who frequent her home to get clarity and assistance with their school projects related to leather making. 

She said she has requested funding from government to expand her business. 

“I have been awarded an industrial plot and I intend to build a warehouse and exhibit my leather products, and I also want to build a learning centre for Batswana because they keep on nagging me in my home to share my knowledge with them,” said Ms Ngwanathebe, who is keen to impart and share the knowledge with others.

She said the project has not been an easy ride, more especially because it was an art that demands perseverance and tenacity. ENDS