By Neo Kolane
The brand, Nthatuoa Crafts, which began as just a hobby, is now standing on its feet and is targeting the international markets.
Founded by Nthatuoa Makhapha, Nthatuoa Crafts makes an assortment of crafts.
It is a high-end brand which produces premium crotched and knitted garments such as dresses, T-shirts and other accessories such as handbags.
The brand uses natural fibres such as cotton, wool and mohair.
Makhapha works from her own home in Ha Leqele in the Maseru district thus saving electricity. She does not want to be exposed to the hazardous conditions rife in some textile factories as she prefers to work in a safe environment.
She believes that most Basotho women who are employed in the textile and clothing industry are facing health and safety risks. She added that a neat and safe working environment is good for her health.
Makhapha revealed that the classy brand was founded in August 2019 after endless trips to workshops organised by her mother when she was employed at the ministry of small business.
It was during that time when the 28 year-old developed love for handicrafts, plunging her into starting the viable business which manifests the talent she has.
The textile designer later learned how the market for crafts in Cape Town, South Africa operates, influencing her to turn her hobby into developing it to an enterprise. She accumulated skills in crocheting and knitting.
She told theReporter that Nthatuoa Crafts pioneers a unique premium product that increases customer value as it offers garments that can be worn for a long time.
Her brand’s niche comprises of minimal colours and style, natural fibres such as cotton and wool making it something so outstanding from other competitive products.
“It offers high-end quality products from the comfort of my homes as a working space as opposed to hiring space. This saves me electricity, water and rental fees.
“Working from home helps not only to decrease harm to the environment but I also take advantage of the available resources. It helps me work freely and comfortably. We differentiate our products from competitors by adding sentiments and storytelling to our products and this sets Nthatuoa Crafts apart from other businesses,” she remarked.
She is confident that one day her items will compete more strongly at the international markets.
The craft artist revealed that Nthatuoa Craft is one of the sponsored brands that will participate in the Plain Tiger Sustainability Accelerator Africa 2022 in collaboration with the Cape Town Fashion Council.
The programme offers mentorship through an esteemed panel of judges with the panellists from the Foschini Group.
Makhapha is also one of the designers who partnered with EGG, a retail store in Cape Town that brings together designers to share their ideas, innovations and plans.
The brand is also one of the winners of the Business Plan Competition (BPC) 2021 by Basotho Enterprises Development Corporation when it was awarded a M100, 000 to help grow the small business.
Makhapha is eyeing working with other five artists in order to increase productivity in crocheting and knitting.
“This is one thing I am mostly looking forward to after winning the BPC and it is challenging to work alone. It can be tiresome to work alone,” she said.
Makhapha studied law in Namibia but she was unable to complete her studies as she quit to pursue her ambition to run a business.
As she had no sufficient money to start the small enterprise, she observed: “I however persisted because I felt like it was my obligation to show my parents and my community the future that I wanted and that required hard work.
“It was painful but I did discover that no one had it easy in entrepreneurship,” she explained.
Nthatuoa Makhapha can be contacted on +266-5882 7986 and +27-67 889 8647
