02/08/2026
The Beautiful Craftsmanship of Mr. John Martin Moyo in Lentsweletau
Last Thursday was one of those days when my mind drifted into the bleak moods that have become all too familiar during these challenging economic times. I found myself questioning everything, the path I am on, the decisions I have made, and where life is taking me. At that moment, I knew I needed to leave the house, get behind the wheel, and drive out of town in search of a clear mind and a little inspiration.
Over the years, I have developed a habit of deciding on my photographic destination only after I am already on the road. I rarely make plans about where I want to go or what I want to photograph. Instead, I let intuition take the lead.
That day, my journey led me to the Lentsweletau area, where I spent some time documenting a borehole I came across during my drive through the hills between Kopong and Lentsweletau.
From there, I continued into the village, constantly scanning my surroundings for interesting subjects. To be honest, everything felt rather bleak, and I started to think it was simply going to be one of those days. Then I noticed a gentleman sitting beside his vendor stall, carefully sewing a bag.
I initially drove past his stall, but I knew that if I kept going, I would probably end up driving around aimlessly. So I turned the car around.
He turned out to be such a pleasant man. I introduced myself and asked if I could document his craftsmanship, and he happily agreed. I set up my lighting around his stall, and the magic began.
He was repairing the torn handle straps of a bag. To do so, he first reinforced the inside with support pads before beginning the intricate hand-stitching that brought the bag back to life. It was fascinating to watch, and what started as a simple encounter quickly became a wonderful photographic project.
Mr. John Martin Moyo allowed me to move around freely as I photographed his work. At one point, I became so immersed in capturing the details that my camera lens accidentally bumped into his hands once or twice. To my surprise, he apologised, when in fact I should have been the one apologising.
As we talked, I learned that his main speciality is repairing beds and sofas, although he occasionally takes on leatherwork and bag repairs for his clients. It was another reminder that some of the most remarkable craftsmanship often exists quietly, hidden in plain sight.
If you are ever in the Lentsweletau area and need your beds or sofas repaired, be sure to get in touch with Mr. John Martin Moyo. His skill, patience, and dedication to his craft are truly worth appreciating.
Enjoy viewing the work.
