08 Nov 2021

Leather production industry has a potential to create employment and also enhance growth of the country’s economy, Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Mr Mmusi Kgafela has said.

The minister, who is also MP for Mochudi West said this in Mochudi during a recent site visit to Red Lotus, a company that collects, processes and exports leather.

He commended the company’s optimism to grow the business by opening a leather processing factory in the district, especially because the manufacturing unit was said to have the capability to employ about 300 people once operational.

For his part, Mochudi East MP Mr Mabuse Pule applauded Minister Kgafela’s efforts of appreciating successes and challenges faced by manufacturers during the COVID-19 era.

Red Lotus founder, Mr Muhammed Saleem said the business was established in 2013 and employed 48 people, which he said the company looked to increasing the numbers as the business grew. 

He said as part of its corporate social responsibility, the company was also looking into engaging locals by providing training on leather production.He however lamented too many deep cuts and branded animal hides, saying they were two of their major challenges during production.

He added that such practices were not good for animal health as they exposed animals to infections. ends