31 Aug 2015

In an endeavour to boost local businesses, the Member of Parliament for Boteti West, Mr Slumber Tsogwane says establishing a marketplace is essential for business growth.

Addressing the business community and Khumaga and Moremaoto residents in Khumaga recently, Mr Tsogwane said having a market place was critical for developing sustainable businesses. He said people should concentrate on upgrading their businesses rather than abandoning them for Ipelegeng.

He noted that the Boteti Sub-district was rich in natural resources that could be used to start viable businesses citing abundant fish, establishing cultural villages and weaving baskets. He noted the high number of tourists visiting the sub-district, saying they should take advantage of the opportunity by providing a market. A market day, he said, should be a daily business.

The MP was responding to a number of residents who complained that their businesses, which they acquired through poverty eradication, have collapsed due to lack of a market. The principal economics officer, Ms Favour Phumusa advised residents to choose projects that were in high demand in their area.

Ms Phumusa also noted that the Khumaga business community have been advised to identify a place that could serve as a market in the village, and that they have failed to do so. She said they could not say the market was not viable in Khumaga while they have not yet established its feasibility.

She noted that they procure clothing for destitute children in large enterprises to enhance their dignity. Ms Phumusa said local businesses were given an opportunity to supply school uniforms.

She added that locals could undertake minor maintenance projects in primary schools. Ms Phumusa further explained that people funded through the poverty eradication programme were taken through business training followed by technical training which was specific to the business chosen.

She said it was important for a person to have passion for a business as most of them abandon their businesses for Ipelegeng as discovered during monitoring.

She said in businesses such as tent hire, they use their data base to award local businesses when they host events. An official from Water Utilities Corporation (WUC) said they procure a variety of services from local businesses, and urged residents with the technical knowhow to register with them.

He said they procure such services as welding, construction, repairing of tanks, hiring JCB’s and hardware businesses. He stated that they currently source the services from Maun and Francistown, saying the only challenge was that businesses increase prices when the quotation was for WUC.  Ends