Rat skin is the new fashion
If you saw a rat in your home, your first thought would probably be to get rid of the pest.
Unless you’re an employee at Roto Exclusive.
According to co-founder of Roto Exclusive (Roto is the seSotho word for rats), Sibulelo Kanjana, rat skin is surprisingly like elephant leather; it is very strong and will last you for many years.
A group of young people from Daveyton and Etwatwa saw an opportunity to establish a sustainable business producing watch straps, shoes, handbags and jewellery using rat skin.
Kanjana said rats are problematic for everyone and they decided to come up with a solution to the problem.
“We decided to create employment for ourselves and the youth of Etwatwa,” said Kanjana.
The company’s co-founder, Jerry Moimana, said they researched facts about rodents before launching their business.
“As a team we thought of something unique and different,” he explained.
“There is no other business like ours.”
The business has been running for three years now and they can’t keep up with the demand for their unique product.
The businessmen don’t just use any rats, they first have to examine the rodents to determine if they have diseases.
Kanjana said they scout different locations to find suitable rats.
“Then we tame them before we skin them, dry the skin for a day and then get creative afterwards,” explained Kanjana.
The entrepreneurs have grown so fond of the rodents that they even breed their own to keep up with the demand.
Fashion is just a starting point for these young people.
These entrepreneurs have big plans; they want to venture into the cat food market with all the rat meat that is going to waste.
