30 Apr 2015

At 30-years of age, Mr Kutlwano Akanyang is living proof that a college certificate is not the  only  route to success. Hailing from Bonwapitse village, Mr Akanyang did not allow himself to be part of the unemployment statistics after failing at Kalamare Junior School in 2003/2004.

Neither did he choose the darker side of life such as criminal activities or any mischievous path. Instead,  he left  his village to undertake a 12km journey to Mahalapye to search for a job.
He landed in a certain electrical and welding company called “Mega Force Company”.

Like a Christian who had memorised  proverbs 16: 26, the labourer’s appetite worked for him, his hunger drove him on, he worked tirelessly. “Though hired as a labourer in the electrical section, when there was no work in my section I assisted the welding unit,” he narrates how he acquired welding experience.

In 2009, he quit the job that earned him about P700 per month and established his own Kupcha Holding  Electrical and Welding Company. “I felt I could stand on my own as I had ample skill and experience,” recalls Mr Akanyang who says he  had always loved to use his hand to earn a living instead of being an academic.

“I never did art or design and technology but I knew I could utilise my hands and I never took part in any sporting activities,” he says. Given success is not a bed of roses, his company struggled as he says there was shortage of equipment and raw materials.

However, he   was able to offset shortage of equipment and raw materials in 2013 when he received a bail out from government under the youth grant. He says the P99 618 of the youth grant was specifically for the welding section.  

Part of the money was used to buy a commercial generator which does both welding and electricity generation. He also bought two welding machines, two grinders as well as raw materials.

Now Kupcha Holding is able to meets customers’ demands which he reckons was almost impossible before government bailed him out. Trailers, donkey carts, burglar doors, window frames and sliding gates are some of his products.

Pastoral farmers are also catered for as he also manufactures cattle brands. Mr Akanyang also follows his clients to the grave yard as he manufactures shades for graves.
“Batswana like to buy ready made stuff” he adds hence there are always some to cater for such customers.

Those who need special orders or custom made are also welcome. The company boasts creating employment for two other Batswana males and making about P70 000 - P80 000 per month turnover as opposed to P1 500 - P2 500 prior to funding.

Nonetheless, the youthful entrepreneur says they sell trailers for about P23 000 while the price tag for donkey carts is P9000. Doing some welding in council vehicles is a boost for his company while being sub contracted in other project is a cherry on top.

He says it is always wise to put some money aside whenever one makes a lot of profit so that if there are any government tenders, the company would still be able to undertake such tenders as they need relatively large amounts to be undertaken.

He also states that there are days when business is low. Paying utilities, employees and P830.15 grant installment is not giving the youthful enterprenuer any headaches as his business is doing well.

Also, he affords to pay rental for accommodation and the workshop. The entrepreneur   from a middle class family of three children, two males and a female, can now assist his parents back home.

Though advertising is an integral part of luring more clients, he says production of quality products for customer satisfaction plays an even bigger role. “When you produce a good product for someone, one will tell a friend or family member,” he reckons.

He also advises other youth to observe business hours, for instance coming to work in time for them to succeed. Ends