By Matṧeliso Phulane
As winter tightens its grip and everyone is fixated on keeping warm, one item that appears to be growing in popularity is a unique embroidered blanket designed by Potsane Potsane.
The Mafeterng-born Potsane crochets the embroidery which comes in all patterns and colours. These include animals, birds, flowers, and even people’s names. It all depends on a customer’s preference.
In an interview with theReporter this week, Potsane explained that his business is going strong having commenced in 2018 when he moved to Maseru.
He designs blankets that can be worn by both men and women on special occasions such as cultural events and exhibitions.
People can either bring their own blankets or purchase one from him.
Potsane’s experimenting with embroidery started at a young age while he was still a herdboy and he would do it as a pastime when he was bored.
His enthusiasm grew when he moved to Maseru to start a barber business. He continued with his designs on the side and posted them on social media to attract prospective customers.
Potsane did not waste time as he grabbed the opportunity; soon he started buying proper materials and tools, instead of a piece of stick, in order to perfect his art as the demand for his work grew by the day.
“As a teetotaller who is not easily swayed by peer pressure, my job and side hustle keep me too busy for life’s minor excesses.
“Apart from that, I enjoy working hard for a living as well as applying my mind to creating new innovations,” he said.
He added that due to his work as a barber it takes him between two and four days to work on a single blanket.
One of the challenges that he encounters in his business is people who get attracted to his art but are reluctant to fork out the money. Nonetheless, they still do motivate him to continue doing his best.
“Apart from that, some of my customers want their blankets printed but they fail to pay when complete, and this can be quite discouraging. Other customers complain about my prices being too steep; they do not appreciate that I strive on excellence and quality work.
“Some people actually undermine my art; they think it is something easy to do, not knowing that it involves a lot of creativity, time and extreme focus,” he explained.
Potsane was born and bred in Mafeteng, ‘Mabaebae. He only went as far as standard 2 at school.
He urged Basotho to work hard in order to avoid being lured into criminal activities such as stealing. He insists people should use their God-given talents to make a living, instead of idling and blaming unemployment for their woes. Potsane can be contacted on +266 59058054 or +266 63336270.
