16 Oct 2024

A self-taught woodcarver, Mr Opi Gakebatshabe is aging like fine wine, together with an amazing intimacy with wood.

At the age of 76, Opi, as he is commonly known by fellow residents of Khekhenye where he is a household name, remains relevant to modern-day society.

He has proven to be a timeless crafter, with his work appealing to people from all walks of life.

Born in Letlhakeng, Opi was hooked to the art of woodcarving at a tender age.

He sharpened and nurtured his craft skills over the years by continuously creating more pieces, which eventually turned him into the seasoned crafter he is today.

Opi once obtained second place in the Presidential National Arts Competition, an indication of his skill and dedication.

Opi makes a variety of household items such as kitchen utensils in the likes of spoons, mortars and pestles as well as various decorations, all crafted from wood.

Recounting the genesis of his obsession with woodcarving, Opi says it all started when he was young, after picking up an unfinished wooden spoon and deciding to transform it into a finished product.

Without any proper tools, he asked his grandfather for a large metal spoon, which he would then convert into a tool to complete the wooden spoon.

He recalls that his grandfather gave him the go-ahead to repurpose the metal spoon into a tool, specifically into an adze, or petlwana in vernacular.

Opi sharpened the metal spoon and used it as an adze to craft the wooden spoon into a finished product.

He then gifted the completed spoon to his grandfather.

Upon receiving the spoon, his grandfather blessed Opi, wishing that God may give him the dew of heaven.

From that moment on, Opi was hooked to the art of woodcarving.

Reflecting on this, Opi believes that God blessed him with the talent for woodcarving and that his faith has been the key to his success as a notable woodcarver.

Although his love for woodcarving never waned, Opi took a break from his craft from 1962 to 1977 to work in various mines in South Africa to support himself and his family.

After returning to Botswana, he resumed his woodworking craft and has continued to this day.

Opi does not wish to take his craft skills or cultural heritage to the grave with him.

Instead, he hopes his legacy will live on and be enjoyed by future generations.

He would be a happy man to see his knowledge of woodcarving become a generational craft, passed down to the younger generations.

Opi suggests that government establishes centres where experienced artisans like himself could train those interested in pursuing woodwork.

He believes that incentivising instructors would encourage more people to share their skills.

Although he has tried to win the interest of his own children in woodwork, they have shown no such interest.

Opi also faces challenges such as lack of power tools, transportation for fetching raw materials and the difficulty of transporting his stock to the market.

He mentions that some of the trees he uses for raw materials are not available in Khekhenye and its surroundings.

Furthermore, the lack of market access and government support hinder his efforts of expanding his craft.

Opi reveals that the only formal education he received was through the Out of School Education and Training programme, which enabled him to read the Bible and immerse himself in a religious environment.

Today, Opi’s work continues to inspire and resonate with many, embodying the timeless beauty of traditional craftsmanship.

His journey from a young boy in Letlhakeng to a revered artisan in Khekhenye is a story of passion, ingenuity and a lifelong dedication to the art of woodcarving.

Meanwhile, Opi is also a pastor at Word Africa church, where he also motivates congregants to also realise their inae talents. ENDS