09 Mar 2015

If it was not for mankind’s oldest natural resource, which is also a gift from mother nature, he might not be what he is today; a successful businessman.

For Mr Lebuletswe Bapalang of Khuis in the Kgalagadi District, leather has become his companion and a way to sustain his life. Mr Bapalang said as a young boy, he always watched his grandfather tanning raw hides and skins into leather and he developed interest, which he took to a higher level.  

At first, he said, he took leather as a creative hobby as he did not have and knowledge or skills on whether leather work could be turned into a business.    It all started in 1998, when he attended a Village Development Committee (VDC) committee meeting and they were taught on ways of using talents to change their lives. 

After the meeting, he made his intention clear to VDC and he was assessed and sent to Lobu as a way of improving his knowledge and skills on leather tanning.   His business started operating in 2001 selling saddles by the road side to market his products. 

He used to move around Khuis asking for raw hides and skins for his business. After three years, he said he expanded his business by adding a variety of leather products such as handbags, wallets, shoes, belts, hats and placemats. 

At the moment, he said the business was flourishing because his clients pay him with either money or goats.

He said in 2012, he attended the poverty eradication launch in Struizendam in Kgalagadi district to acquire knowledge and skills from various exhibitors on services they provide. 

He also met officials of the Department of Gender Affairs who provided him with sufficient information on assistance provided to entrepreneurs engaging in leather business under the poverty eradication programme.

In 2013, he submitted a request to the department for funding and it was approved last year. He was also sent for short courses at Matlolakgang by Department of Animal Health and Production, where he received a Certificate in Basic artisan tanning and another Certificate in Basic leather.

He learnt how to design and make a range of leather products using hands techniques and was also advised to develop his own products using his own style. 

“This helped me to experiment and explore the creative potential of using leather,” he said.

Mr Bapalang appreciates assistance from Gender Affairs department, equipment and a monthly market day that they organise for small business people in the district.

 “Through market day, I am able to network with others, get to know my clients’ preference and make a better profit,” he added.

Mr Bapalang complained of untrustworthy clients who make orders and fail to collect them adding this had impacted negatively on his business.

“I always employ people to help me and also learn leather work but they never last because they want quick money and if I fail to get customers, they leave me saying that my business won’t take them anywhere,” he said.

Mr Bapalang said his future plans include opening a leatherworks factory and working with reputable business people to produce high quality products that would be recognised locally and internationally.

He advised people to get into a leather business because it has fulfilled a great need in his life and also take advantage of the programmes introduced by the government to turn their lives around. ENDS