01 Jul 2014

The market day that was held at Dukwi on June 27 has been well received by some beneficiaries of the poverty eradication packages and other small scale entrepreneurs.

One of the beneficiaries, Ms Kufanana Kehitile of Tumo laundry services said in an interview during the event that the market day availed her an opportunity to market her services and a chance to interact with other entrepreneurs.

“This day is crucial. Since I arrived here this morning, I had a chance to meet other entrepreneurs and we shared challenges that we encounter,” She noted. Ms Kehitile said they also discussed financial management and other innovative ideas on how to run their business effectively.

A street vendor, who also came to showcase her merchandise, Ms Bontle Away also appreciated the day, saying she would be able to grow her business with the information she received from Local Enterprise Authority Business Advisory.

She said the market day showed government’s commitment to assist even small scale businesses to reach their goals.

“This day gives small scale business owners the courage and the advice we have always needed and I am optimistic that the skills I got here will benefit me in future.” She said.

Ms Away said the ideas would also assist to lure more people, especially the youth to venture into businesses and scale up efforts on economic diversification.

Another poverty eradication beneficiary, Ms Gaboiphiwe Tsotlhe also commended the efforts and further urged other Batswana to take advantage of government’s initiatives and interventions meant to improve the lives of every citizen regardless of their status in life.

Meanwhile, Mr Budzani Mudubeki, who crafts mortars and pestles, commended the council for their support through the Social Welfare and Community Development (S&CD) department.

He said they have always helped him with transport to collect the barks he uses for crafting and they have also helped him market his products.

Mr Mudubeki said his business continues to gain momentum through the help of the S&CD and every time when there is a market day or he needs to sell his products outside Dukwi, he never worries because the social workers make arrangements to transport the products.

He also said the S&CD has also bought him an advanced saw, which now makes it easy for him to cut off the morula bark that he uses, as compared to the axe he previously used. ENDS