In the heart of Botswana’s northwestern region lies Sehithwa, a quiet village at the crossroads connecting Maun, Ghanzi, and Shakawe, home to a remarkable enterprise that stands as a powerful symbol of women-led craftsmanship, resilience, and cultural preservation.
Founded in 2015 by Vemumunaije Kazukua, Julia Martin, Leah Kazapua and Patricia Topias, Kondja Nomake Investment specialises in creating high-quality traditional attire, intricately crafted patchwork, tailored uniforms, and a wide range of custom fabric work.
Together, this team of dedicated women has grown from a small grassroots initiative into a community-recognised enterprise rooted deeply in indigenous knowledge and generational artistry.
At the core of the business’s identity is the heritage of the Herero and Mbanderu people, to whom the founders proudly belong. Their traditional attire—the iconic dress known as ‘Ohorokova’ and the distinctive horn-shaped hat known as ‘Otjikaiva’—is a living archive of history, femininity, and communal pride.
The Otjikaiva, stiffly folded to resemble cow horns, symbolises wealth, life, and lineage. Once crafted only by culturally designated women with profound knowledge of its meaning and structure, its creation follows specific ethics inherited through generations. Likewise, the Ohorokova dress—with its full, floor-length skirt made from metres of fabric—serves as a marker of womanhood. Traditionally worn during marriage, childbirth, or significant community events, it signals the wearer’s maturity and responsibility. Today, the quartet continues to honour these standards, ensuring each garment is made with the same reverence as those produced decades ago. Their work reflects cultural integrity, sentimental value, and a commitment to preserving the skills that shaped their ancestors’ identities.
The business was funded in 2015 through the Wealth Creation Programme under the Department of Enterprise, which falls under the Ministry of Trade and Entrepreneurship. Through this support, the business acquired essential sewing machines and production equipment. The programme became the foundation upon which the women built a resilient enterprise—one that has now grown beyond subsistence into a culturally influential and economically impactful operation.
The enterprise’s proximity to tourism zones such as the Okavango Delta and Central Kalahari Game Reserve makes it an ideal stop for domestic travellers and tourists. Visitors are not just purchasing a souvenir; they are directly investing in cultural preservation and women’s economic empowerment.
Kondja Nomake Investment’s main customers are local mines, local schools, and the government, whom they supply with school uniforms, patchwork merchandise, and specialised cultural garments. The business continues to grow steadily, and their dedication has enabled them to acquire a plot, where construction of a new structure, including a workspace, kitchenette, office, storeroom, and ablutions, is already underway, marking a significant step toward full operational independence.
Like many local enterprises, the journey is not without hardship. Kondja Nomake Investment faces serious obstacles, such as delayed payments from corporate and government clients. This dramatically disrupts cash flow and can halt their ability to buy essential fabric for the next order. They also face a gap in business management resources, specifically needing assistance with online marketing to expand their reach beyond Botswana. Despite these strains, their determination remains unwavering.
Through unwavering resilience and steadfast commitment, the women of Kondja Nomake Investment are safeguarding the rich cultural heritage of the Ovambandero and Herero people. Their work uplifts the community, preserves traditional knowledge for future generations, and proves that entrepreneurship can be a powerful force for both cultural pride and social impact.
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