21 Aug 2025

 In the quiet village of Kolonkwaneng, Dinah Botha has positioned herself as a self-appointed custodian of culture, assigning to herself the preservation of a single item out of the array cultural artefacts that require preservation from possible extinction.

The journey into the craftsmanship of the self-confessed guardian of tradition began at a young age, with her grandmother endowing her with the art of leather tanning. And of all the leather products that she could craft, she chose Phate, a traditional mat that holds a special place in Setswana culture.

To Botha, Phate is not just decorative items, it is a symbol of respect and culture, deeply embedded in the traditional weddings of Botswana. Traditionally, the use and significance of Phate get projected during wedding ceremonies, where new brides seat on the mat to receive guidance about married life.

Botha’s passion for this craft stems from a desire to preserve the rich cultural practice. The process is not only a tribute to her heritage but also an environmentally friendly one, relying on natural resources. She has noticed that many young brides today are moving away from traditional customs, opting for modern mats or even chairs, and it is this trend that she yearns to reverse.

Through her work, she hopes to reintroduce the phate and ensure the next generation understands its importance. Beyond its traditional use, the phate has found new life as a unique item for home decor, corporate gifts, and even funerals, showing its versatility and enduring appeal.

Botha, who uses hides from goats, sheep, and even game animals to create her unique designs, is not just building a business; she is building a legacy. She inspires her own children to learn the craft, giving them tasks and encouraging friendly competition to ensure the tradition continues long after she is no longer able to work.

Her message to young brides is a simple yet powerful one: “Always use phate to give your marriage dignity and to preserve this aspect of culture for the coming generations.”

Despite her dedication Ms Botha faces significant challenges. The most pressing is a shortage of raw materials, particularly game skins. This forces her to import hides from South Africa, a process that is both challenging and lengthy. The creation process itself is also time-consuming due to the lack of modern machinery.

To overcome this, Botha is seeking pledges to acquire a tanning drum, which would make her work easier and faster, allowing her to produce more mats and increase her income. Through her skilful hands and unwavering spirit, Ms Botha is not just making mats; she is weaving the threads of her culture, one stitch at a time, ensuring that the legacy of Phate endures. ENDS