15 Sep 2014

A business, which was funded by the poverty eradication programme at Grootlaagte in Ghanzi District, appears, at least on the face of it, to be doing very well.

The business consists of four men who came up with ways of generating income for themselves in 2013 and found solace in the poverty eradication programme.


The four gentlemen whose ages range from 25-40 years explained that it was a dream come true when the poverty eradication programme gave them an opportunity to start what they enjoy doing most with their bare hands.

They applied for brick moulding alternative package under the poverty eradication programme last year but started running their business this year in April.


On behalf of the team, Mr Xukuri Xao who is 32 years old said brick moulding is a business that needs well determined people who know what they want to achieve because if one is not focused they can easily fail.

He however commended his team for their determination in setting a good foundation for the business.


Mr Xao said they were given P10 000 as start-up capital which they used to buy all the materials they required for their business such as cements, jojo tank, and equipment for brick moulding.

He further noted that they make bricks for the community adding that their biggest market was the council because they build houses for the less privileged in the community.

Mr Xao lamented that even though the business was doing very well there were challenges that hinders their day to day progress. 


He said shortage of water in Grootlagte was a hindrance as they have to occasionally source it from Ghanzi. 


“We can wait for a period of two weeks for the water to arrive, and mostly we lose out on business because we will be forced to close down business. If this challenge could be addressed very soon we believe our business will go to greater heights,” he said.


He also mentioned that they do not have reliable transport to bring them sand which they use in their business adding that they wait longer than expected for them to get sand when it is finished.

Mr Xao said it could be better if they had reliable transport to bring them water and sand so that it becomes more rewarding to them.


Mr Xao said that since they started operating their business, they work well as a team and they give each other P100 each at the end of the month so that they can buy toiletries for themselves.

He said they use some the money they get from selling to buy materials when finished and put the remaining in the savings account.


He further noted that they want the money to pile up in the savings account before they can start getting enough money to take care of their families.

He also said they want to buy machinery for brick moulding which does everything automatically because the ones they are using now are time consuming and difficult to use adding that it makes their job heavy to do.


Mr Xao indicated that the smooth running of the business shows that indeed the business will help them to eradicate poverty and improve their lives and their living standards together with their families.

He however advised other people out there who have no means of acquiring income to make use of poverty eradication programmes implemented by government to help eradicate poverty among its citizens. Ends