Wood carving feeds Rakesoketswe

21 Nov 2023

Neatly tucked in the thicket of bushes along the Serowe-Orapa road sprawls Mmashoro, home to Mr Kehumile Rakesoketswe who does wood carving to make functional and ornamental objects. 

At Mmashoro’s Magwana ward, one meets eye catching and unique wood objects that elevate the picturesque of the village courtesy of the hands of Mr Rakesoketswe. The 24-year-old, who literally started his eye-catching woodworking project to transform wood pieces into functional or ornamental objects in 2021, uses various techniques to add elegance to his products so as to make them appealing to his clients. 

In an interview with BOPA on November 20, Mr Rakesoketswe said elegance was paramount to broaden his clientele base, adding that most people love his workmanship. 

The unique and eye-catching home decor pieces’ maker sells his products in the village and his wish is to break into the market countrywide in the near future. The gifted wood sculptor said his vision is to expand his business and see it growing in leaps and bounds five years from now. 

The self-taught artist has exhibited in big events such as Dimajwe where the President, Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi addressed a kgotla meeting and at the cultural show in Mogorosi earlier this year. He sad it was time he started to exhibit in agricultural shows, the Serowe District market days and other platforms that may help grow his business.

Mr Rakesoketswe said apart from monetary gain, wood crafting helps to get rid of stress, anxiety, and the feeling of isolation, adding that wood pattern, its colours, aesthetic look, and carving process help a person shift his mindset, depression and connect with the whole atmosphere. He is of the view that the artistry helps one to get rid of negative emotions, as the hobby is incredibly calm and relaxed. 

He said the Serowe District Council helped him with P400 in October to expand his business but it was a drop in the ocean -- though he expressed gratitude to the gesture. 

He said perseverance and tenacity are equally crucial in the work required to turn a business into a viable enterprise, given the challenges and roadblocks thrown along the way. 

These two components,  he said, were critical in any success story of a business. He said he uses only corkwood tree (Mokomoto) to form objects that represent a thing, person or idea. 

Animal wood crafts go for P1 500 each, birds P550 and stands P1 000. He urged the youth to consider blue-collar jobs and creative activities citing arts and entertainment to create employment for themselves and others. 

Therefore, he encouraged the youth to use wealth from natural resources to meet their ambitions so as to better their lives but should harness natural resources in a sustainable manner. 

Mr Rakesoketswe said harnessing the natural resources wealth is a transformative opportunity for many youths who at times were always scouting for white collar jobs. 

He appealed to Batswana to buy local products to ensure local businesses remain buoyant. ENDS 

Source : BOPA

Author : Keith Keti

Location : MMASHORO

Event : INTERVIEW

Date : 21 Nov 2023