18 May 2025

 A group of youth and elderly artisans in Beetsha, who rely on crafts for their livelihoods are yearning for access to better market opportunities.

The group, Tuyende Investment formed in 2022 is made of 15 members, consisting 13 women and two men. In an interview, the Secretary of Tuyende Investment Group, Ms Makore Baswathe said the group was formed to promote and preserve their culture. She said members weaved baskets and made woodwork, which they sold to make a living and promoted culture through song and dance by entertaining people at events. 

Ms Baswathe said all baskets woven had unique stitches that told a story, saying some represented diamond, pangolin, tortoise, running ostrich among other things while the distinctive colours such as black and brown were achieved through colouring palm leaves with certain plant roots and peels.   

Ms Baswathe said their clients ranged from locals to foreign tourists although she said the market was not satisfactory hence opportunities to showcase during events like the Nkashi Trust career fair were worthwhile for exposure. She therefore pleaded for assistant in accessing better markets for their products. ENDS