17 Aug 2015

Forty-eight-year old Ms Motlhaka Ramaphane did not want to be left out of the poverty eradication programme as she ventured into the laundry business in July 2015. 

Ms Ramaphane is expecting more from it so as to put bread on the table.

She said she started the business from her passion of doing home chores before venturing into the business. 

She says she worked as a maid for several homes hence adopted the business of laundry work and built her passion for it.

Through the poverty eradication programme, she was provided with a washing machine, tumble dryer, two irons, three fabric cleaners and others still to come. 

She started operating in July and currently she has about six regular customers. 

Ms Ramaphane is optimistic that her unique business will boost her financial independence and support her family. 

She would like to expand her business into a dry clean as advised by her regular customers. 

She says in every payment she gets, she ensures that a quarter goes to her savings account, another to her business material and the remaining for her household needs.

Furthermore, she says government assistance has enabled her to lead a normal life and encourages those who have benefited from the programme to work hard and those who are yet to join not to be ashamed to ask for assistance. 

“Unlike in other countries, we are fortunate to have a caring government,” she says. She commended the government for improving the lives of Batswana. 

She further encouraged her fellow beneficiaries to register their business, as this will help them in marketing their businesses for a good outreach. ENDS