Artisan Spotlight // Baobab Batik

Baobab Batik is social enterprise based in Swaziland, founded by Els Hooft in 1991.

Her initial motivation was two-fold. Firstly, she wanted to create sustainable work opportunities for women, and secondly she wanted to explore the batik art form.

Since then the company has expanded into a hive of activity. Today there are two retail shops in Swaziland, the company exports worldwide and employs 36 women full time.

Waxing the unfolding collection

“Over the 26 years of operating we have continued to build on the initial foundation. We see it as our biggest task to make sure we keep offering sustainable work opportunities for women. But as the business develops, and times are changing, work opportunities are not enough. We are also investing in developing and empowering our staff.”

Examples of this empowerment is offering first aid courses, and health related workshops and services. As well as focusing on staff capacity building, such as computer course and strengths coaching for their middle management team, the company strongly believes in developing their team together with developing the business.

We believe hand made products carry with them an energy and consciousness machine produced products do not have.

From the beginning the product has been the core of our business. The batik method is traditional to West and East Africa, where Els learned the technique. When starting the business in Swaziland, she trained all the staff. Over the years the staff have developed very strong skills in batik making.

Founder, Els Hooft

“This is our biggest asset, which enables us to keep producing high quality products.” All our products are handmade. It takes 3-6 people to make every single product. And each artisan leaves their special imprint on the batik. All pieces are individual and unique.

“We believe hand made products carry with them an energy and consciousness machine produced products do not have. To us, this is the real value of our products.”