Africa-Press – Botswana. In the quiet village of Mogoditshane, a woman’s hands mould more than cement mortar, she sculpts dreams, perseverance, and a legacy of hope.
Maungo Mooketsi, the spirited entrepreneur behind Dust Life Discovery, has been making waves in the world of pottery since 2018.
Her story is one of grit, passion, and the unyielding desire to create beauty from humble beginnings.
Mooketsi’s journey began in the unlikeliest of places at a local pottery manufacturing business where she worked as a sales assistant. Fascinated by the craft, she often watched the artisans at work.
“I was curious and asked one of the potters to teach me how to gauge a pot,” she recalls with a smile.
To her surprise, she nailed it on her first attempt. That moment ignited a flame in her, one that she nurtured until it became a fully-fledged business.
Dust Life Discovery specialises in unique pottery designs for plants, blending tradition with contemporary aesthetics. Using a mixture of sand, cement, plaster key, and water, she moulds pots with precision and care.
“I use moulds to create different shapes, smoothen them with adhesive, and coat them to ensure durability,” she explains.
Her dedication to quality ensures that each pot withstands Botswana’s harsh weather conditions, a feat achieved through the use of glossy paints and sturdy materials like plaster key.
Her creative process is labour-intensive, often taking three days to complete a single pot, not including the time spent irrigating the products to ensure their strength.
“Physical fitness is key in this business,” she says. Yet, for Mooketsi, the joy of transforming raw materials into works of art makes every challenge worthwhile.
Dust Life Discovery is more than just a business; it is a family venture. Mooketsi’s husband works alongside her, helping to bring customers’ design ideas to life.
“Our buyers often request custom designs, and together, we make their visions a reality,” she says.
Beyond her family, Mooketsi is committed to uplifting her community. She shares her skills with those eager to learn, although she laments her inability to provide certificates for her trainees. Her ultimate dream is to expand her business by hiring staff in 2025, passing on her knowledge while ensuring her craft continues to thrive.
Like any entrepreneur, Mooketsi faces her share of hurdles. Heavy rains, a lack of sand, and slow sales especially in January testing her resolve. Yet, she remains undeterred.
“I make a lot of stock and ensure I always have a bag of cement ready for walk-in customers with specific designs,” she shares.
Her adaptability, evident in her willingness to explore new patterns and designs, has been crucial to her success.
December 2024 was a particularly rewarding month for Mooketsi as three new designs significantly boosted her sales.
“I don’t stick to one design for long; I keep alternating based on market demand,” she explains.
This keen understanding of her audience has solidified her reputation as the only potter in Mogoditshane.
For Mooketsi, Dust Life Discovery is more than a livelihood, it’s a platform for inspiring others. She urges Botswana’s youth to embrace their passions and explore vocational opportunities.
“Patience is key,” she advises. “This business requires resilience. Sometimes a pot collapses, but you must start again. Do not give up.”
In a world that often overlooks the artistry of small businesses, Mooketsi’s story shines brightly. Through Dust Life Discovery, she is not only shaping pottery but also a future where determination, creativity, and community spirit take centre stage.
As customers pass by her vibrant stall, they leave with more than just pots but they carry with them a piece of Mooketsi’s unwavering belief that beauty and opportunity lie in the hands of those willing to create it.
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