12 Aug 2015

The government continues to implement a number of initiatives such as poverty eradication in order to emancipate the citizenry from poverty.

Sixty-eight-year old Mr Badusi Maphutha of Sebina lives with a disability, but has established his own leather production business which he operates from home.

The father of six said he ventured into the business three months back through the help of the LIMID programme. His products include shoes, belts, hand bags, purses and cell phone pouches.

Mr Maphutha revealed that his disability came after a long illness which resulted in the amputation of both his legs in 2004.

Nonetheless, Mr Maphutha never allowed the situation to turn him into a burden, rather he kept strong and decided to embark on something so as to make ends meet.

“I never allowed my condition to make me feel useless, I decided to venture into a simple business strategy that I could operate while stationed in one place, as such I felt repairing worn out shoes was ideal,” he said.

Mr Maphutha said he approached the Social and Community Development department so as to take advantage of one of the government initiatives geared to empower disadvantaged Batswana.

He said he was approved and his case was handed to the Department of Veterinary Services for enrolment under LIMID hence the leather production business.

“The department never chose the project for me, instead I was asked to identify the kind of business that I would be comfortable with. Because I had an idea of leather works I choose this project,” he said.

Mr Maphutha said before he started operating, he was sent to a leather works training institution at Dibete so as to enhance his skills.

He said he learnt leather tanning, drawing, cutting, and stitching, plus customer care, financial management and other business related topics.

From training, he said the department equipped him with all necessities such as sewing threads, shoe soles, cutting tools that enabled him to start operating.

“With the information I learnt from Dibete, I found it relatively easy to conduct the business. First I draw the pattern of the desired item and cut off along the drawing line and easily join the parts,” he said.

Looking at him working on his products, one cannot differentiate that he has a disability because he does his work so neat and perfect.

The die-hard fan of the national football team, said although he recently started, he was optimistic that his business would gain momentum and bring in satisfactory profit margin.

“My customers are individuals and some traditional dance groups locally and from neighbouring villages, and so far my business grows by word of mouth.”

The well-known Mr Maphutha, said although he operates from home, he receives a lot of customers who motivate and inspire him.

Mr Maphutha said credit should be given to the Department of Veterinary Services for helping him unleash his potential and talent which helped him remain self-reliant.

“Some officers from the department often visit to check on my project and to hear of any challenges I encounter,” he said.

Mr Maphutha decried of lack of a vehicle to transport his goods so as to reach other customers outside his home village.Another opportunity that helps Mr Maphutha supplement his leather production profits is that he also mends clothes using a hand sewing machine.

“If I am not engaged on my leather products, I mend out clothes for some individuals from my surrounding. I normally do patching or alterations,” he said.

Mr Maphutha is more grateful to his supportive family, he feels fortunate to have a compassionate family that always ushers him with unconditional support.

He can easily move from one point to another by himself and he can also attend to simple tasks around the house. He said he also feels happy that he can make ends meet for his family.

His advice to the community is that they should not feel pity for people living with disabilities, rather they should give them the necessary support and encouragement that would help them unleash their potential.

He also advised people living with disabilities not to be discouraged by circumstances they find themselves in, saying they should seek interventions that would help to empower themselves. ENDS