14 Jul 2014

An attempt, just like any other qualifying youth, to secure funding with the Youth Development Fund (YDF), hit a blank. This did not, however, mean the end of the world for 28-year-old Mr Mothusi Oneile as he pursued his dream nonetheless.

In an interview recently, Mr Oneile, who holds a certificate in basic computer science from GIPS, said he was grateful to the creator for having afforded him the spirit of perseverance.

He also credited the Francistown-based youth club, Bopaganang Basha, for helping in paving his way to make his vision become a reality. 

Mr Oneile joined the club while he was a senior secondary school student and it was within that club that he drew inspiration on many things, including business.

“We worked with different organizations, from business oriented to non-profit making and as a result it was inevitable that one would draw inspiration from them,” he said.

They worked with the National AIDS Coordinating Agency (NACA) and the main goal was to reduce the spread of the Human Immune Virus (HIV) and to urge people to avoid having multiple concurrent partnerships (MCPs).

He said their contract with NACA ended in 2012 and they could not get funds to further their projects.

It was then that he decided to go into business as he had offered free services in computer repairing and anything that had to do with computers while still with the club. 

The experience gained in the process is the one that is working for him and has in a way made him forget the unfortunate rejection by YDF, which he attributes to his business partner.

Mr Oneile said he was turned down by YDF because his potential partner did not have thorough knowledge of the business and that was evident in an interview they were called for. 

“When you reach the interview stage it means you are almost done with the long process, so you can imagine what that did to me,” he said.

The other reason he was turned down, he added, was that his dream was to pursue he running of an internet cafe business and that was not recommended as there are already a number of failed internet cafe businesses in Francistown.

He said that did not however bring him down, but instead he went ahead and pursued his business using his two personal computers.

“Giving up is never an option for me,” he said. “I believe that even the greatest men alive today went through challenges but are successful because they managed to overcome the challenges.”

He said he borrowed a printer from Bopaganang Basha club and started offering printing services. Fortunately for him, two other graduates, Mr Mogakolodi Mangure aged 26 with a qualification in computer science and Mr Theodore Sebina aged 27 with a qualification in graphic design joined him as they were unemployed at the time.

Mr Oneile said he was fortunate in meeting the duo because when he explained his vision to them, they showed keen interest.

They joined and they started working well together and with the income they got every month, they bought machinery they could afford. 

The business encompasses graphic design, fixing computers, designing CD sleeves and video shooting among others.

Mr Oneile’s business, which is situated in the Francistown main mall, is doing well and he markets it using pamphlets.

At the moment, he is content with the earnings and even though there are a lot of people doing what he does, the secret for him lies in the quality of the work.

“I have a qualified graphic designer working with me and his work is really commendable with regards to quality. 

That is one of the ways we win customers,” he said. 

He said even though the resources are still minimal, he is confident that his business will grow and he has decided to have his employees as partners in the near future as they contribute largely to his business.

Mr Oneile noted that the challenges he encounters include lack of resources and the relevant machines.

He said his dream is to see his business growing to a point that he would have branches all over the country. 

The ambitious young man appreciates that he currently does not pay for office space as he uses the old government buildings, which are offered for the youth who are pursuing their businesses.

“I am grateful for the free office space because I could be spending more on expenses if I was operating somewhere else. Here I only pay for electricity,” he said with a sense of satisfaction.

Mr Oneile said he has since approached the YDF again and the response has been positive as he mention that he started the business independent of their fund, the officials were really impressed and took time to assess his business.

“They came to see where I was operating and I think they were really impressed because after that, they said I should see them at the offices,” he said. “I am positive that they will fund me this time around because I have proven myself.”

Mr Oneile said the secret to success is perseverance and when one is in business, they should not lose focus and determination. ENDS