In the bustling rhythm of Maun’s bus rank, where travellers, traders, and tourists weave through the day, there is a small creative sanctuary alive with colour. Inside one of the commercial units, strings of shimmering beads catch the light, reds, blues, earth tones, and patterns inspired by Botswana’s diverse cultures. This is the world of Mphoty’s Jewellery, and at its heart is a soft-spoken yet fiercely determined woman: Kagoetsile Gaonowe.
Gaonowe’s journey into beadwork began long before her business existed, long before she imagined she would one day employ youth, collaborate with tourism curio brands, or diversify into farming. It began in 2009, at Banabaletsatsi, where she was a nanny; she met a German woman who introduced her to the art of bead making.
In the old days, beads were made by the Basarwa (San) people using eggshells. Today, we use wood, English beads, and many other materials, but the meaning remains. Beads carry our stories.
What started as a hobby quietly blossomed into a calling. Gaonowe learnt constantly, watching YouTube videos, experimenting with new designs, and teaching others the skills she had gained. Necklaces, bracelets, and earrings – each piece held a story, and each new creation carried her cultural identity. The deep appreciation for indigenous knowledge and modern expression forms the soul of Gaonowe’s Jewellery.
She formalised her business and officially opened Mphoty’s Jewellery in Maun, Botswana in 2014. Her turning point came in 2017, when she received funding through the Wealth Creation Programme under the Department of Enterprise, which falls under the Ministry of Trade and Entrepreneurship.
From the beginning, the world responded. Her work found a home not only among locals but also within the tourism sector. Three major entities, Travel for Impact (2015), Wild Artifact (2020), and Jeany (2021), partnered with her, sourcing her beadwork for local and international travellers. Visitors loved the authenticity of her creations.
That demand soon grew into impressive performance. In a strong month, her business generates up to tens of thousands of Pula, driven by both walk-ins and curio partnerships. Even at its lowest, Mphoty’s Jewellery comfortably sustains itself with a monthly minimum of a significant five-figure income. But figures alone cannot capture the depth of what she has achieved.
Her success has become a foundation for much more. With nothing but beadwork and determination, she diversified into farming, building multiple income streams that anchor her family’s future. In 2019, she ventured into piggery, a livelihood that once carried her through challenging times. Later, she expanded into poultry production (2022) and goat farming (2024), and through a partnership, entered the world of fashion and design in 2025.
Her personal milestones echo the same spirit of steady growth. She brought residential plot and constructed apartments, invested in irrigation for her ploughing field, and purchased a car to support her business operations. Each achievement is not a boast but a quiet celebration of how far resilience can carry a person.
Yet even with her remarkable progress, challenges remain. The high cost of local materials forces her to import them from Namibia. Still, she adapts, just as beadmakers have done for generations.
Today, Gaonowe stands as one of Maun’s most inspiring artisan entrepreneurs, a woman who turned a simple skill into an ecosystem of opportunity. She has competed in the President’s Competitions and once took first place, validating her artistry. She has taught many people, and she continues to learn every day. Above all, she has proved that a humble beginning can evolve into a legacy.
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