10 Dec 2014

Most Batswana, if not all, are obsessed by their traditional practice of rearing livestock and cultivating crops for subsistence purposes, to the extent where even if chances of failure are visually feasible they will rather continue doing it for the passion that prevails within them.

This has now become a trend country wide even in places such as Kgalagadi region where there is scarcity of rainfall and deficiency of pasture.

However, only a handful numbers of Batswana are genius when it comes to globally cogitating on how to make a fully-fledged wealth from what the ‘doubting Thomas of this world’ do not believe will succeed. 

Ms Margaret Kgogobi is one living testimony that to prosper in what other people cannot ponder of takes someone who can critically think outside the box.

She might lack impressive business plan and cash flows that epitomize modern businesses presented on black and white but when she talks one can hear the perfect execution of ideas and plans 

In the midst of heavy sands that has blanketed every nook and cranny of Hukuntsi, Ms Kgogobi has spotted a secluded place where there are a bunch of stones and opted to use and transform the stones into cash spinning business.

Nasha as the locals call her said she started gathering stones or concrete and selling it for a long time. At first she used to sell each load P50.00 and as years elapsed just like any other business she increased the price in order to balance what she earn from her business with the economy of the time.

The vocally gifted mother of five indicated that to her being registered in government’s destitution programme has never been an option. 

It may sound clichéd to say she took it upon herself to assure that none of her family member goes to bed with an empty stomach but with the 73 year grandmother the old saying is certainly true.

She said she was acquainted with the hiccups that were possible to present themselves in her business avenue and she was well equipped to face and walk over them.

The active grandmother of five divulged that due to ageing she has trim down her business but she expressed jubilation for her business to remain strong and optimistic amid the pessimistic efforts by soothsayers.

Her children, grandsons and daughters have been for years pleading with her to bring it to halt since they are able to provide all the necessity she may need but to her one cannot teach an old dog new tricks. 

“It is not like I do not listen and understand my children’s point ke ba uzwago mbe heri to go tjhatja gore ke emise gka waaze go togka madjwe iya gka go towel,” she said with a deep Sekgalagadi accent which loosely translate in to I do fathom what they mean but is hard for me to bring it to halt because it is more like a second nature to me.

She alerted youth that thinking of business is an easy thing that anyone else can do but the devil is in the details as one has to go through trials and tribulations in order to climb the ladder of success. ENDS