23 Feb 2020

Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) UK delegation led by Ms Joyce Anelay and also House of Lords of International Relations Committee chairperson were on Wednesday impressed by the artistry work made by Oodi Weavers.

Ms Anelay told the women whom are members of the cooperative ‘We admire people who set up their own businesses.’

 She said they were also inspired by people who used their skills to produce wonderful results.

She further  appreciated the hard work they put in their work although it was not always easy given the array of challenges small businesses face.

Giving background of the project, Deputy Chairperson of the CPA Botswana and also Member of Parliament for Ghanzi North Mr John Thite explained that the project was initiated in 1972 by Ulla and Peder Gowenius a foreign couple who resided in Botswana .

The project was intended to be wholly owned by the workers at the end of five years of its establishment.

Mr Thite further stated that in March 1973, the Kgatleng authorities invited the Gowenius to consider setting up the weaving project in one of the villages in the district hence Oodi was chosen to house the project.

In May 1973, government approved the proposal and water was provided to the village and the factory.

In August of that same year, Mr Thite indicated, CUSO, a Canadian organisation, the Botswana Development Corporation (BDC) as well as the Botswana Christian Council (BCC) agreed to finance the project. 

The BDC is reported to have approved a loan of P30 000 while BCC donated P10 000.  Further CUSO provided the salaries of the Gowenius for a five year period.

In March 1978, the couple left the country while transfer of ownership to the workers was completed leaving the project independent and self-sustaining.  The project was registered as a Producers Co-operative Society through the Co-operative Centre of Botswana.  About 50 working members were registered as shareholders.

Mr Thite highlighted that because of the absence of sheep reared purely for wool and other textile fibre plants, weaving had never been a traditional skill in the country compared to basketry in the far north where natural resources were abundant.

However, he mentioned that the establishment of the weaving project in Oodi allowed women to apply their traditional artistic skills and experimentation with colour and decor.

Only the finest raw materials are used.  Pure white wool is imported, washed and carded from South Africa.  However the wool is hand spun locally and dyed to rich African hues to produce quality bedspreads, table runners, mats and bags among others.  The geometric patterns on these products are traditional and only skillful weavers have over the years transformed them into elaborate designs.

Ms Kerereng Mokakalo a long time member of Oodi Weavers, started with the project from inception.  She is one of the elderly ladies who were trained by the Gowenius in 1974.  She said the project now employs about 80 women.  She stated that through patience they had persevered although the business was not doing well.  She said they had poor sales because of lack of marketing skills.  She said majority of the women were aged something that hampered production, adding that the youth did not show interest because they want money spinning projects.   ENDs