RaluhkWoods crafts unique wooden pieces
Otlarongwa Kgweetsi | Monday April 7, 2025 13:15
Founded in 2021 by Kaone Khutso Selema, the business started as a simple hobby during the COVID-19 pandemic. But it has since grown into a fully equipped workshop producing furniture, crafts, and traditional wooden board games. “I’ve always been a creative person, but I struggled to decide what to focus on,” Selema shares. “Growing up, I was always around my father’s workshop, surrounded by machinery and tools. That exposure shaped me, and over time, I realised I wanted a workshop of my own,” he stated. His woodworking journey began with rustic furniture made from recycled pallets. His first creation, a rustic TV stand, marked a turning point in his craft. “I remember looking at that TV stand and thinking, ‘This is something I can take seriously. That was the moment I knew woodworking was more than just a hobby for me,” he recalls.
Over time, he refined his skills, transitioning from rustic furniture to fine woodworking and developing a unique style that merges modern and traditional techniques. He describes his style as a fusion of modern designs with traditional craftsmanship. Selema explained that he takes inspiration from Japanese and Chinese woodworking techniques but incorporates the Re betla techniques he grew up with in Botswana to achieve both precision and cultural depth. RaluhkWoods is built on a personalised approach, ensuring each piece is custom-made to the client’s vision. He says every client comes with an idea, and all he does is to bring it to life. “They provide a reference or description, then I create a 3D model for approval before starting production. That way, we make sure we’re on the same page,” he explained.
While he mostly works alone, he collaborates with an in-house creative director to enhance designs and create 3D models. Selema says he enjoys working on complex designs. “The more intricate the details, the more rewarding the process. There’s something special about pushing the limits of what wood can do,” he added. Most of the wood he uses is sourced locally, primarily pine, unless a client requests something different. He mentioned that he prefers working with hardwoods because of their durability and unique look. However, he says this is challenging because local indigenous hardwoods can be hard to find, especially since they’re mostly in northern Botswana, adding that exotic woods are even trickier because of high import costs. Despite these challenges, Selema is passionate about handcrafted woodwork and its value. “Hand-made pieces aren’t just furniture,” he says.
“They have personality. There’s a level of care and attention to detail that mass-produced items just don’t have. With mass production, furniture is just there to serve a function. But with custom pieces, there’s a connection, it belongs to its owner in a way that’s personal and unique,” he says. Looking back, Selema sees his transition to fine woodworking as the moment he truly found his calling. “That was when I realised my full potential,” he reflects. “I don’t just come up with ideas; my clients do. Their preferences inspire me, and I merge their vision with my craftsmanship. It’s a process that keeps me constantly learning and improving,” he states. Seeing his client’s reactions when they receive their custom pieces is what keeps him motivated. He says there is nothing like handing over a finished product and seeing them satisfied, adding that it makes him want to do even more amazing things. His advice to anyone facing challenges in their craft is “Don’t break, keep going. The challenges in this industry are real, but that’s what makes it worth it. You always gain more from struggles than you lose,” he says.