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.
