15 Jul 2015

While some elders struggle to come up with viable means of survival, and others look up to their children to provide for them, Josephat Mbise of Borolong in the Tonota Sub council has a different story to tell.

He is one of the individuals who have responded to the call for able bodied people to take care of their lives so as to reduce the high dependency syndrome.

At the age of 64, Mbise owns and runs a wood-crafting business, and according to him, the business has proved to be viable as it has helped him to remain self-reliant.

Operating from his home, the father of 10 children revealed in an interview that he has been in the business for the past 26 years.

A self-made entrepreneur, Mbise noted that it was not an easy to start off as he had to spend time cutting off logs, and that he did not have enough money to purchase advanced cutting tools, as such he had to use an ordinary axe and carry the logs by himself.

Despite all these, Mbise never gave up; he pushed his dream tirelessly for the success of his business. 

The grandfather of three said his business specialises in designing and crafting different items such as wooden chairs, mortars, pestles, traditional drums and others. He also uses an ordinary traditional tool known as petlwana for crafting.

“Simple as it sounds, this kind of business need to be carried out with extra care because I don’t use any ordinary species of trees, I have to select those that have good quality. I always use the logs of Morula, Mosetlha and Motswere because they don’t crack up,” he said.

Mbise noted that the concept of creativity, which he always incorporates in his work, was one of the factors that helped him stay on top of his game despite challenges from competitors.

There is no doubt that the old man has managed to penetrate the business market, as his sales are satisfying and they are on high demand in areas such as Kanye, Kweneng, Kgalagadi and the northern parts of the country.

Mbise also revealed that he had participated at the Gaborone International Trade Fair and got position one with a cash prize of P10 000. He admitted that though the business was doing well, it has not been spared challenges.

“I serve diverse customers, at times I even operate on compassion, as some clients always disappear into thin air without settling their debts,” he said.

He also indicated that lack of advanced cutting machinery proves to be a challenge, as he spends most of the time cutting logs hence the slow production.

Lack of proper transport to carry logs from one end up to delivery compromises his business, he added. 

“I solely depend on my bicycle for transportation and as for the orders that need to be delivered at far-away places, I have to hire out transport which is costly,” he said.

Mbise was certain that all the challenges he encountered would not push him to kiss his business goodbye rather he would keep on implementing strategies that would help him stick on. 

He said, so far, he had contacted the social welfare office to seek business advice. ENDS