Thapelo Stoffel aims for the stars

PINI BOTHOKO
Correspondent | Monday June 3, 2013 00:00

 

'Born in an area rich with natural resources that I can use to make a living, I did not need to be unemployed. That is why I started doing this business.  I eat and sleep my craft.  I developed the love for arts and crafts while I was still a young boy at primary school.  I started to design products for businesses in 2008 working with Quality Special Investments, a company belonging to some Rastafarians based in Gaborone that makes leather shoes,' he told The Monitor at the BOCCIM Northern Trade Fair, which ended yesterday.

Stoffel, who had a stall at the fair, later returned home to set up his own business.'I decided to be unique; most people who are into arts and crafts in Hukuntsi are more into the leather shoe-making business. I came up with a different idea of designing leather bags, hats and traditional decorative materials using the remains of animals,' says Stoffel.  He says that his business is easy - he goes around asking for animal skins.

He then tans the skins and designs products out of them.'I have made agreements with butchery owners to always provide me with skins. I have a talent.  I tan the animal skins, cut and shape them into anything I want.  I can change their colour with dye.  I also create sculptures using wood and stones.  I design leather bags of any kind and size, belts, hats, wallets, phone pouches, camp chairs, tyre sandals,' he said, showing off his products.

Stoffel is proud to see life out of the things that some people view as waste.  'I can create any design that comes to my mind.  I also research fashion; what people like and design my products in accordance to the tastes of my fashion-conscious customers.  For example, for Valentine's Day adherents, I create heart-shaped bags to go with the mood of the month of love,' he said.

He said that he only buys dyes, threads, zips and ostrich egg shells, which he orders from farms.  'Most of my customers are traditional dance groups, schools' traditional attire and tourists visiting Kgalagadi.  They (tourists) are mostly interested in interior decorative materials and bags.  Sales are good, especially that the business blends Setswana culture with the Sesarwa culture,' Stoffel said.

He said he dreams of owning a big handicraft factory and teaching youngsters how to create products with their own hands using traditional materials.'I want to be able to sell my hand-made products to other countries.  Most people love my products because they are hand-made,' he said.  He was sponsored for a course in upholstery by the Department of Youth and Culture. He is presently awaiting a response after applying for a youth grant to expand his business.