Beadwork rooted in heritage
Lucy Kgweetsi | Monday June 30, 2025 09:51
“They taught me the basics and have always encouraged me to do better. That support is what pushed me to try more complex designs,” she says. Her first completed item was a beaded purse, a simple product that marked the start of a quiet, focused commitment to the craft. Her current work includes handbags and shoes, each requiring several days to complete. “Both take about four days, but the handbags are more demanding. The technique I use doesn’t allow for mistakes. If you get something wrong, you have to undo everything and start over,” she says.
The process is slow, but for her, it is deliberate and necessary. Chaitezvi draws inspiration from a mixture of sources. “Some designs are based on local traditions, and others follow current fashion trends. Sometimes I come up with a completely new idea, and sometimes I adapt a traditional motif,” she said. She treats each product as a reflection of both identity and environment. “My pieces show personality. They can express someone’s culture or just their individual style. That’s important to me,” she said. Her favourite items to create are beaded shoes. “They reflect who I am. Feet take us forward, and that speaks to movement and progress. There’s something about shoes that makes the work feel personal,” she adds. Sourcing materials remains a practical challenge. “We buy from South Africa and Zimbabwe because the kind of beads I need are hard to find locally,” she says. She highlighted that the cost of importing these supplies influences how she prices her work. “I consider the time, the effort, and the cost of the raw materials. That’s how I calculate what a piece should cost.” She added. Customer engagement varies. Some clients come with very specific colour palettes and design preferences, while others choose from items she has already completed. She explained that customers' preferences depend on the person looking for a specific item. Some know exactly what they want. Others decide after seeing what she has made, but when they refer other people to her, she is certain that they’re satisfied. In addition to her own work, Chaitezvi has begun to teach beadwork to others.
She currently trains a group of older women in the North East District, all aged between 54 and 85. “They were given materials by the Ministry of Trade and Entrepreneurship through the Department of Enterprise Development. I’ve been teaching them how to make handbags. The group works steadily and has taken well to the skill. They’re committed. It’s something they can do at their own pace.” She said. Her work has been shown at events like the Northern Trade Show and Botswana Consumer Fair. Still, she prefers a measured approach to growth. “I do the business part every day, and I’ve set aside specific days for working on designs. It helps me stay organised,” she stated. Chaitezvi has already incorporated elements of Setswana culture into her designs and is gradually exploring other African cultural influences. “Beadwork isn’t just decoration. It holds stories and knowledge. It’s a way to connect people to something deeper, even across generations,” she says.