13 Feb 2024

The Human Resource Development Council in collaboration with Bots Quality Baskets has organised a basket weaving workshop aimed at transferring indigenous knowledge and skills from the elderly people to the youth for culture preservation.

In an interview, Bots Quality Baskets founder, Ms Thitaku Kushonya said the 10-day basket weaving workshop held at Matlapana, in Maun, would give trainees the chance to explore the market of basket weaving and how to make a profit to satisfy their needs.

She stated that basket weaving had a large market as the baskets were used for different purposes such as decoration, storage and jewellery holders. 

“We have trained 20 youths so far and since this is a pilot project in Ngamiland, we aspire to go around the country to transfer skills to the younger generation not only on basket weaving but many other indigenous skills found in Botswana,” she said.

For his part, a trainee in the programme Wilfred Ditladi shared that the first lesson was to harvest Mokolwane, the tree used to make the baskets as well as the different trees that are used to colour the baskets.

He also said the workshop had taught them other business aspects from basket weaving and  the importance of collaborations.

The workshop also catered for primary school pupils with the first group from Matshwane Primary taught the basics of basket weaving. 

ENDS