15 Dec 2021

Kgosi Sechele I Museum in Molepolole is destined for the Guinness World Record for hosting the world’s biggest clay pot.

The clay pot, dubbed ‘The Big Pot’ or ‘Samokgolo,’ was unveiled on Tuesday.

The height of the clay pot is 3.531 metres, and it surpassed the previous record holder from Poland.

The managing director of Pinnacle Geomatics Land Surveyor Consultants, Jakoba Kgopolelo said the that they had submitted the dimensions of the clay pot as per the requirements of the Guinness World Record.

Speaking at the launch, Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Mmusi Kgafela said the pot symbolised diverse opportunities that made Botswana a destination of choice and a gateway into Africa.

He applauded people involved in the project, most of whom were the youth from different parts of the country.

“The primary objective of this work is to demonstrate the capabilities we have as a country and to lift the spirit of the out-of-school youth who have undertaken practical subjects such as Design and Technology, Art Craft and Design as well as  Home Economics,” he said.

The minister also noted that The Big Pot project was meant to attract a broader global audience, which would boost tourism.

He urged Batswana to see the achievement as an assurance that their talent could be exposed to the international market.

Mmala Oefile, the project coordinator, said he wanted to do something for the country and that he used out-of-school youth in order to empower them.

He said the project started in 2019 and that they faced challenges such as lockdowns and the isolation and quarantine of members.

While numerous organisations such as the Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA) came to their rescue, he said they still experienced poverty and that he had to provide shelter for all the youth involved in the project.

“We were faced with insufficient funds needed to care for manpower and this forced me to look for a job at Baratani, a guest lodge at Otse, where I had to teach guests how to make clay pots,” he said.

Oefile added that he was grateful that the project had been completed.

Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Peggy Serame was also at the launch and she encouraged Batswana to cherish the event’s memory.

“We must tell this story over and over again,” she said. ENDS