World’s highest clay pot unveiled in Molopolole
History was made in Molepolole on Tuesday as the biggest clay pot in the world was officially unveiled at Kgosi Sechele I Museum.
Measuring a whopping 353.1cm, the ‘nkgwana’ pot dwarfed the previous world record of 310.1cm, set in September 2014 by Lithuanian, Rytis Konstantinavicius.
The massive undertaking was a collaboration between the museum, local company, The Big Pot Africa and several government enterprises, including: Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA), Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC), Awil College and Local Enterprise Agency (LEA).
The Big Pot Africa is run by local artist, Mmala Oefile, who is also an Art teacher at Baratani Junior School Art Teacher.
He revealed the giant structure, moulded from the same clay used to make regular pots, was almost two years in the making.
“I worked together with youth from Molepolole and my former students. My family also contributed a lot by providing them with accommodation,” disclosed the 2017 Presidential Pottery and Ceramics award winner.
Reflecting on the long journey to pot glory, Oefile said, “It was hard as we were affected by the national lockdowns which meant sometimes only one person could continue with the project while others were on quarantine. We stood up as soldiers in the army to stand for our country till the completion of the big pot.”
The passionate creative is adamant the pot demonstrates the country’s capabilities and shows what art can accomplish.
looks on
For his part, Guest of Honour, Minister of Investment Trade and Industry, Mmusi Kgafela, described the enormous artwork as a testament to the country’s ‘rich natural resources’ as all materials were sourced locally and the technical expertise provided by ‘our people’.
“It affirms that Botswana has a lot to offer as it displays what we are made of, how we live and that we are ready to partner with the world for leisure, investment and trade. This event should therefore give our ordinary Botswana assurance that an opportunity to showcase their talent and expose their goods to the international markets do exist, a true meaning of Setswana proverb which says ‘metlhala ya khumo e mentsi e tlhoka balatedi’ (there are many ways to get rich),” stated a visibly impressed Kgafela.
Meanwhile, CEDA Chief Executive Officer, Thabo Thamane, said it was important to market the pot well and ensure it becomes not just the biggest but also the best tourist attraction in Molopolole.
To that end, Thamane urged the private sector to support the project financially.
