The objective of my study is to examine possibilities and constraints that small
entrepreneurs in handicrafts enterprises in Ngamiland District face in terms of
establishment, growth and development of their activities and to discuss measures that
could be taken to overcome the constraints that they face. A network-oriented approach
is applied and the methodology is quantitative.
The study notes that the problems surrounding small handicraft enterprises are
linked to poor access to finance and lack of education and training. This has negative
consequences for marketing skills and entrepreneurship. Other constraints are
competition from cheaper products from neighbouring countries and lack of raw
materials.
The attitude of the small handicrafts entrepreneurs towards the intervention by
the government in the production and marketing of crafts is a negative one. They hold
that, government has over the past years failed to provide the necessary assistance and
support. At the same time the link between government and NGOs has been noted to be
weak and characterized by poor information flow.
This study suggests that tourism strategies should effectively address the problems
of those activities it seeks to embraces. Therefore, new strategies and policies are needed
that will contribute to the ability of the small handicrafts entrepreneurs to increase the
control they have over their activities as well as their relation with each other. Networks
as a form of social capital are regarded as important in order to afford services that are
beyond their reach as individuals, such as marketing and transporting of raw materials.
In addition, cultural tourism may help the small entrepreneurs to obtain a better footing
in the market.