23 Jun 2024

After many years in existence, Gabane Pottery continues to thrive by producing exquisite traditional patterns that have sustained its business. Formerly known as Pelegano, Gabane Pottery is situated at Pelegano village industries in Gabane, an industrial village that was established to provide employment and improve the lives of people, especially women in the village.

The industrial village which is situated at the bottom of the hill, was possibly placed there deliberately in order to show that nature and culture co-exist and are important aspects of our lives.

Entry into the pottery shop leaves many in awe and wonder of the beauty of the traditional design and

patterns that the business continues to make even after so many years. For those who love culture and tradition, will get to see the two being intertwined in the traditional pottery patterns that exhibit the culture of Botswana.

Gabane Pottery director, Mr Martin Kabwe said in an interview with BOPA that Pelegano village was established in 1985 with the idea of creating employment.

He says the pottery was run and funded by the German Volunteers Association until 1999 and that was

the time when he took over the responsibilities of running it.

He adds that in 2002, the company was privatised and he took over at the helm of the company as a private entity to oversee its sustainability and success. Mr Kabwe says he has over 32 years’ experience as a studio potter and he trained and worked for the craft in Kitwe, Zambia at the Mindolo Ecumenical Foundation. He later migrated to Botswana from Zambia in 1993 where he was subsequently appointed to supervise and manage Pelegano Pottery.

He observes there was a time when the business was facing closure due to lack of profit, and the

funders pulled out. “It was during that era that I took over the business and gave it a new direction so that it can sustain itself”.

Mr Kabwe recalls initially, the business focused on decorative items, but later diversified into tableware such as mugs and plates for hotels, kitchens, and offices. This strategic expansion significantly boosted sales and ensured the company’s survival. He says even though they continue to make original items from clay like flowerpots and coffee mugs,

they also make ceramic tiles which came as a form of diversity to enhance their business.

He sells the items to government offices, individual customers, tourists, hotels and corporations.

He further indicates that business thrives from August to December, with a surge in customers purchasing gifts for their loved ones during this period.

He says they also sell their pottery items to the United Kingdom and the United State of America. “I cannot complain about finances for now as the business is able to sustain itself without any funding, and the more the sales the more business we get”.

Kabwe adds that they had the opportunity to go to Dubai in 2020 and showcase their products with thehelp of Botswana Tourism Organisation (BTO) and that gave them the exposure they needed to markettheir products and Botswana at large.He observes that they also participated in the Hika La Ngwanyana festival, showcasing Gabane Pottery’s products and affirming their enduring presence in the business.

He says they have received tourists coming from different countries to buy their products, while others come to learn pottery skills and techniques as they do offer training services to those who are interested in learning. Mr Kabwe notes that while the training comes at a fee, it helps sustain the business, and their hope is to attract more participants to expand the pottery business into new areas. believes it is crucial for youth to acquire these skills so that when they are no longer able to lead, there are trained successors to sustain the pottery business.

He says their products are made from local clay which they get from anthills around the village.

The company employs six trained staff members, some of whom are currently undergoing training to further refine their pottery skills, he adds. The director says their desire is to train as many youths as possible but unfortunately many do not last as they quickly give up.

He underscores that pottery training needs someone who is patient, passionate and understanding for them to acquire the necessary requisite skills. In terms of expansion, Mr Kabwe says they intend to expand their pottery to be among the biggestpottery studio but lack of machinery to expand inhibit them as machinery available is small but they need bigger ones.

He concludes optimistically that the future for pottery looks bright, expressing confidence that as long as they have the strength to work, they will continue until retirement. ENDS