Every product has a story – Crafted Botswana

Behind each Crafted Botswana product is a local artisan with her own story, dreams and aspirations.

At Impact Fund, we work with over 200 crafters and artisans, mainly women, supporting them with training in business planning, product development, sustainable raw material harvesting and procurement practices, quality improvement and financial management. We also provide ongoing mentorship, marketing and financial support (made possible by our funding partners). Our proven ability to establish long-term relationships and build common-sense partnerships means that this leads to lasting, positive change for our crafters and artisans, more resilient businesses and communities and sustainable improvements in quality of life for them and their families. Each purchase truly uplifts livelihoods. Meet the wonderful artisans below.

SEAMSTRESSES

History of traditional Shweshwe fabric and clothing

Our hand-sewn, textile products are made from traditional shweshwe material and other brightly coloured traditional African print fabrics. Anecdotally, shweshwe material, usually blue with white, geometric patterns, was brought to southern Africa by French missionaries who gifted it to the 19th-century Sotho king Moshoeshoe. Today the material is used in traditional outfits for women and men used mainly in wedding ceremonies.

Kago

“As a mother of three boys, crafting has been a constant throughout my adult life. I was introduced to the world of crafts through YWCA, and over the years, I’ve mastered many skills—from sewing to beading and crocheting. Thanks to Impact Fund’s support, I’ve gained so much from their training sessions. The income I’ve earned through my crafts has been instrumental in supporting my children, especially in funding my older ones’ education.”

Ditshupo

“My journey with Impact Fund began when I was working with leather, but I saw an opportunity to expand into textile products. I enrolled at Maun Technical College, studying for four years to become a seamstress, so I could better support my mother and my two young children. Impact Fund made a huge difference by donating two sewing machines, which were my first, and helped me get started.”

Nelly

“I am a mother of three and I’ve also taken on the role of caregiver for three of my siblings and their children. When I started with Impact Fund in 2017, my life was in a challenging state. Impact Fund has transformed my life—they truly brought me from ‘zero to hero.’ They provided me with a sewing machine that I still use today, and I’ve made significant sales through their platform. This has not only helped me support my family but also grow my business.”

History of basket weaving in Botswana

Botswana’s baskets are amongst Africa’s finest and most exquisite traditional art forms. Tightly woven from fibers from the Mokola palm tree, intricate patterns are added by incorporating naturally dyed fibers. Depending on size, a single basket can take anywhere from four to six weeks (and sometimes longer for very large baskets) to complete. Traditionally used to carry and store grains and liquids throughout Botswana villages, the baskets have now gained popularity with tourists and interior designers throughout the world.

Nangana

“I lead the Etsha 6 basket weavers’ group and am a mother of two girls. I manage our group’s orders for Impact Fund. The support we’ve received from Impact Fund has been invaluable, helping us sell our baskets and support our families. The training sessions we’ve attended have been a great help, allowing us to create baskets that are in demand in the market.”

Boithoko

“I come from a family of weavers, and weaving is something we treat like any other job. Thanks to the income from basket sales, I’ve been able to build a tuckshop, which now serves as an additional source of income alongside the money I earn from weaving.”

Kagiso

“I’m a single mother of three and a grandmother of two. I started weaving at the age of 12, learning from my mother, and have continued ever since. Impact Fund has given us a way to sell our baskets while staying in Etsha. With the income I’ve earned, I’m now working on expanding my home.”

History of ostrich eggshell beads

Archeologists have found evidence of ostrich eggshell beads being made, traded, made into jewelry, and worn as adornments on clothing for over 50,000 years across eastern and southern Africa. Today, the women of the San in western Botswana, for whom the ostrich egg is a symbol of good luck and good fortune, still make these beads by hand. They use the beads to make unique jewelry and integrate them into textile product designs.

Sabina

“As a single mother of one, my dream is to teach young people how to make ostrich eggshell beads with the new designs which I learned from Impact Fund. I started this work at a very young age, mostly learning from my family which has great artists like Tumku Bob and my mother, Dinah Bob, who are still making a living out of this work for the family.”

Dorah

“I am a mother of four and a wife, dedicated to supporting my family through bead making. I have been doing this work for the past 35 years starting from learning from Kuru Development Trust trainings back in the 90s. I am currently doing most of the crafts for Kuru Art, and they are doing very well in the market. I have attended a lot of trainings with Impact Fund on product development which I think had boosted my work a lot.”

Bau

“As a mother of two, I use my bead-making skills to help provide for my children. I started to make bead work while I was doing Form 1, and I was taught this work by my sister Xonxae Qubi who is one of the best Artists and a dancer. I am hoping to pass this work to other San youth for their future living, especially with the new modern designs I learned from Impact Fund.”