17 Aug 2026

In the suburbs of Extension 9, the atmosphere at Nine Eatery + Cocktail Bar takes on a different rhythm as women gather around a table, each armed with a round loom and a willingness to learn.

The gentle movement of yarn fills the space, while the instructor’s voice is the only sound cutting through the growing concentration.

About an hour into Saturday’s session, conversation has almost completely disappeared. The women are now absorbed in the moment, their eyes fixed on the loops taking shape in their hands as they carefully follow each instruction.

There is no rush. No phones demanding attention. No pressure to be anywhere else.

The goal is simple: to leave the session with a handmade beanie.

For the women gathered around the table, however, the afternoon offers much more than learning how to work with yarn. It provides a rare opportunity to pause, connect and simply enjoy being present.

The session is one of several loom and crochet workshops hosted by textile enthusiast Opelo Letshwiti, whose passion for crafting has grown into a community initiative aimed at helping people slow down, unwind and acquire practical skills.

Letshwiti’s relationship with textiles goes back much further than the Saturday sessions.

She has spent 14 years in the textile industry, a journey she says began when she was very young. So young, in fact, that people around her often tell her she was already showing an interest in crafting as a toddler.

Although she holds a Bachelor of Science in Computing from Botho University, Letshwiti says her heart has always been drawn to fashion and textiles.

Her journey took a decisive turn shortly after she left the examination room at Botho University.

“I received a call from my mother asking me to enrol at a brigade and pursue my passion,” she recalls.

With the support of her family, particularly her mother, Letshwiti enrolled at Tlokweng Brigade, where she spent three years training in what is today known as fashion design.

She considers herself fortunate to have grown up in a family that encouraged her interests. Her mother went a step further by buying her the equipment and materials she needed to develop her craft.

Born in Ramonaka and having spent much of her life in Gaborone, Letshwiti draws much of her inspiration from her grandmother, Mmasengwe, who was a dressmaker.

It was this influence that eventually inspired the name of her brand, Mmasengwe.

For Letshwiti, however, crafting is not simply about producing beautiful garments or handmade items. It is also about sharing knowledge and creating opportunities for others to discover their own abilities.

Her love for teaching has taken her skills into the community. She is currently based at the Orange Digital Centre, where she teaches different courses, including digital embroidery and 3D printing. The centre seeks to empower communities, particularly vulnerable groups, by providing access to skills and opportunities.

A multitasker, Letshwiti has at times juggled two jobs while still finding time to pursue her passion.

Her love for looming and crocheting took on a different meaning during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020.

Like many people during that period, she found herself looking for ways to cope with uncertainty and isolation. What started as a personal interest eventually grew into a bigger dream: creating a space where people could come together, learn and enjoy a moment of relaxation.

That dream became a reality in 2024 when she began hosting loom and crochet sessions.

For Letshwiti, however, the sessions were never intended to become another business venture.

Instead, she sees them as a community project, a space where people can take a break from the demands of everyday life, learn something new and perhaps find a little peace along the way.

“In a world where people are mentally struggling, people need time to unwind,” she says.

She believes that something as simple as sitting around a table with yarn and a loom can provide that much-needed pause.

The sessions are deliberately informal and are not held according to a fixed schedule. Letshwiti organises them whenever she feels inspired, allowing the project to remain centred on its original purpose rather than becoming driven by profit.

She hopes companies and organisations will embrace the concept by bringing employees to such sessions as part of wellness and team-building activities.

For Letshwiti, the real reward is not how much money the sessions generate, but the impact they have on those who attend.

She believes learning a new skill, taking time to breathe and connecting with others can have a ripple effect beyond the session itself, potentially contributing to happier and more relaxed homes.

In a world that constantly demands people move faster, the women around the table are doing the opposite.

They are slowing down , one loop at a time.ENDS