Africa-Press – Botswana. The European Union (EU) has assisted Botswana Quality Baskets Company with over P100 000 to renovate its basketry shop and cultural village.
Based at Maun’s Matlapana ward, the company is home to high-quality, locally-made grass-woven baskets and enjoys support from both local and international tourists, who use Maun as a gate way to the Okavango Delta.
Before traversing the delta, some tourists make a stopover at the shop to appreciate and buy different types of baskets, while others spend time watching women weave or even learn how to make baskets, the company’s managing director, Thitaku Kushonya has revealed.
In an interview with BOPA, Ms Kushonya confirmed the financial assistance of P114 000 from the EU around November last year, thanks to Travel for Impact company, that aims to change lives from the grassroots to address community identified needs through giving, which facilitated the process.
The company also has a Hambukushu cultural village where they display different traditional artefacts and also avail tourists an opportunity to see a traditional Hambukushu homestead and to understand the tribe’s rich culture.
Kushonya noted that the project was completed in March and expressed gratitude to the EU for boosting her business, as the renovation had made the infrastructure appearance modern and up to date, which draws attention of new clients.
“My business is well worth a visit as an experience in itself.
The new look has indeed made a big difference and opened doors for more clientele.
The business had bounced back post COVID-19 and is enjoying better profits,” she added.
Kushonya revealed that since completion of the project, the company had seen more tourists and an increase in orders both locally and internationally.
She said she enjoyed support from countries such as America, Canada and South Africa, adding that local safari companies were also supportive.
She revealed that one had placed an order for 100 baskets, while others send clients to her place to buy products, upon completion of their stay in the delta.
Kushonya also revealed that the pandemic had taught them to explore other opportunities and not only focus on one business idea.
She said she recently went on a benchmarking trip to Kenya, where she met other women in basketry to share ideas and how best to diversify their products to grow their businesses.
She said she also learnt that baskets could also be made from a variety of fibrous or pliable materials or anything that could bend and form a shape.
She added that Kenyan women also used banana leaves to weave baskets and colours to decorate them.
“I saw an opportunity to try colourful baskets and I am much delighted because my American customers like colourful baskets,” she added.
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