Africa-Press – Botswana. Basket weaving is one area that women can explore to eradicate poverty, says Kgosi Princeloo Shashe of Shashe ward in Maun recently.
Speaking during the launch of a group of 20 women undergoing a two-week training on basket weaving, he said the training would contribute to improving their living conditions, reducing poverty, among others.
The training is organised by founder of Botswana Quality Baskets in collaboration with Shashe Ward Development Committee to foster economic empowerment among women and youth.
He acknowledged that the training organiser, Ms Thitaku Kushonya, a renowned master basket weaver, had penetrated the international market had promised to support participants by buying their baskets.
“Since the market is already accessible, this will motivate women to increase production and make better profits,” he added and believed other women would come on board and realise the importance of handicraft work.
An elderly, Mr Fanabe Karume also showered the training organiser for a visionary leadership and advocating economic opportunities for women.
He noted that women played a huge role in alleviating poverty in households because they were often their family main providers.
He appreciated that Ms Kushonya was reviving the spirit of self-reliance among the community as she recognised the need and took steps to address it and motivated participants to work hard and produce more crafts.
Women empowerment, he said was critical strategy for poverty reduction and sustainable development. “Empowering women with technical skills and business acumen to turn their craft into sustainable livelihoods was a welcome development and we hopeful that they will not disappoint but rather take the teachings seriously and better their living conditions,” he said.
Ward Development Committee chairperson, Ms Bahentse Rena appreciated Ms Kushonya’s gesture to empower women so that they have independent sources of income. Majority of women, she said were economically challenged and yet had family commitments and believed acquiring the knowledge and skills in basket weaving would help lift them out of poverty.
“For some women, this training has not only provided a valuable learning opportunity to enhance their basket skills but has also brought a positive change to their daily routines”.
Master weaver, Ms Kushonya also commended women for showing interest to learn the artistry, saying that was an indication that they want to secure additional income to better their life.
During difficult times as the country faced financial constraints, she said it was crucial for communities to seek other alternatives to generate income to sustain themselves adding that basket weaving industry had a large market as baskets were used for different purposes such as decoration, storage and jewellery holders among others.
Ms Kushonya, who operates a vibrant basketry shop at Matlapana, which sells quality locally made baskets, noted that majority of tourists transiting to Okavango Delta also desired to take home a piece of craftsmanship making basket weaving a significant economic lifeline for communities.
She said it was her intention to traverse Ngamiland region, form groups of women, and pass to them the skill to aid them exploit the market of basket weaving, earn income and eventually contribute to their households. She however, encouraged women to produce quality baskets of international standards.
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