04 Feb 2013

 Local and international donors have contributed over P1 million to renovate and market Shakawe Crafts Centre.  

The donors, a German based organisation known as EDD donated P600 000, USAID through the Southern Africa Regional environmental program (SAREP) forked out P136 000 while the department of Women’s Affairs contributed   P571 000 respectively.

Trust for Okavango Cultural and Community Development Initiative (TOCAID) coordinator, Galefele Maokeng said in an interview that a substantial amount would be used for operational costs and renovation of the dilapidated structures as well as to conduct training for the beneficiaries for a period of three years. 

The key objective for the establishment of the centre, he said, was to achieve economic empowerment, livelihood improvement of women through buying of crafts from the producers and creating a market for sustainability of the products.

The coordinator highlighted that through the project, natural talent, skills and abundance of natural resources would eventually boost the economy of both the beneficiaries and the country.

 Furthermore, he lamented that the uniqueness of the project was the existence of partnership with government which non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have been lobbying for to ensure that communities benefit. 

Maokeng explained that about 141 beneficiaries were identified from 10 villages in the district who have been divided into 12 groups. Of the 141 beneficiaries, he said only ten are men. 

The products which include among others baskets of different sizes such as khwe baskets, wood carvings, leather materials, pottery and bracelets will be displayed and sold in the one stop centre.

Although he admitted that the market to sell the products might be a challenge, he was however optimistic that their business findings indicated that there was a strong market for baskets both locally and internationally, especially those made  in the Okavango which are well known all over the world for their high quality.

 He applauded government and international donors for funding the project as this would have a positive impact on the livelihoods of the community. 

For his part, SAREP deputy director, Brain App confirmed that his organisation through the USAID had funded TOCAID to renovate and market the Shakawe crafts centre. ENDS