From Waste to Wealth: Maun Designer Turns Creativity into Business Success

From Waste to Wealth: Maun Designer Turns Creativity into Business Success. In Maun, a young designer’s journey from unemployment to entrepreneurship is inspiring a new wave of youth-led innovation in Botswana’s textile sector. Ms. Neo Maretlwaneng, founder of Mood Craft and Mood Baby, is redefining how creativity and sustainability intersect through the power of enterprise.

Armed with a degree in Textile Design but facing the harsh reality of limited job opportunities, Neo joined the Tokafala Youth Development Programme — an initiative by Debswana, in partnership with the Government of Botswana, De Beers, and Anglo American. The programme empowers young entrepreneurs with mentorship, financial training, and practical business support to turn ideas into thriving ventures.

Neo’s journey began when she saw potential in discarded boxes and other waste materials. With Tokafala’s guidance, she transformed this vision into Mood Craft, a brand that upcycles waste into stylish, functional storage solutions. Her early profits didn’t just sustain the business — they became the foundation for her second brand, Mood Baby, which caters to the needs of new mothers in her community.

Through innovative product design and the strategic use of social media, Neo has grown her business sustainably, creating two full-time jobs and securing her own income. Her story highlights the power of creativity, resilience, and mentorship in unlocking Botswana’s entrepreneurial potential.

The Tokafala Programme continues to play a critical role in supporting Botswana’s small business ecosystem, fostering self-employment, and strengthening the local economy. Neo’s success story serves as a testament to how targeted support and visionary thinking can help young entrepreneurs build businesses that make a real impact.