About

School of sustainable arts and crafts was born as the result of research findings from a combination of the practical and theoretical studies in the area of basketry in lesotho and to a small extend in south africa, swaziland and botswana through trade exhibitions. The initial start up, in april 2014 focused on arts and crafts was arts and crafts innovation hub which was mandated to incubating and accelerating arts and crafts projects which uses naturally available renewable resources. This is where reed basketry (pty) ltd based in oblate scholarsticate roma, a company made by an amalgamation of three art incubates being roma reed furnitures, isaaka reed designs and arts and crafts innovation hub was born in december 2015. Reed basketry managed to outsource funds for its work from boliba savings and credit 2015, maluti mountain brewery kickstart february 2016 and the hookup dinner maseru 2016. The company focused on scaling up reed baskets production from 4 baskets per week to 20 baskets per week with sixteen (16) trainees that turned into employees. Mankie arts and crafts (pty) ltd based sebele gaborone botswana was also born while i was studying certificate in entrepreneurship at ba isago university gaborone botswana in 2017. 

The company focused on sustainable construction using renewable resources as building raw materials with 6 trainees. When i came back home in 2018 arundo industries (pty) ltd was born, the business focuses on production of artefacts using locally available renewable resources (like mosea, reed and willow), industrial waste (like wood pallets and waste newspapers) and agricultural wastes like corn husk and offering technical skills training in sustainable grass weaving for one hundred and fifty two students from: 1. Lesotho agricultural college diploma in home economics and diploma in consumer sciences students, 2. College of cooperative entrepreneurship and business studies covid 19 migrants a project funded by international organization of migration lesotho and the people of japan, supported by the government of the kingdom of lesotho, 3. Mahlaseli agricultural and vocational institute of excellence certificate in general agriculture, certificate in home economics and certificate in carpentry students, and 4. Letlotlo technical and vocational school certificate in carpentry students. The business and its trainees have exhibited their artefacts at both local and international markets namely: 1. Nala sunday market maseru, 2. The entrepreneurs network annual expo maseru, 3.The national university of lesotho international science, technology and innovations conference and expo maseru, 4. Botswana consumer fair gaborone, 5. South african international trade exhibition johannesburg and source africa cape town. Arundo industries further through its founder contributed to the “value chain mapping for key products in lesotho’s creative industries” study. 

The study analyses wool, mohair and grass basketry artisan value chains in lesotho. This research developed a plan to transform the artisan sector of lesotho into a viable industry. It was based on public data, interviews, focus groups, benchmarking the craft sectors of neighboring countries, and historical perspectives. The study was undertaken through a partnership with the us government through its millennium challenge corporation (mcc), as part of an mcc initiative to promote learning around approaches to advancing youth and women’s economic security and empowerment in its country programs. This partnership was also undertaken to inform the development of mcc’s compact with the government of lesotho, which will seek to support youth and women entrepreneurs. Please visit the website for more details on what we do: https://www.Facebook.Com/tsamahlale/videos/361921978329098/?App=fbl the study that follows is a national blueprint on value chain mapping for key products in lesotho’s creative industries focus on: wool, mohair and mosea grass basketry products and a glossary of all actors in the study.