01 Sep 2015

Mr Julius Magwaneng, 37, has found a unique way of earning a living without having to rely on the government’s initiatives and programmes.

With the use of mobile phones, laptops, iPods and other communication gadgets growing by the day, Mr Magwaneng decided to use the opportunity to start up a business.

The Mmadinare born self-made business man sells different types of mobile phone pouches, laptop covers, mobile phone screen protectors and other related accessories and his products comes in different colours.

The products also come in different shapes and designs, some are like the outer cover of a hard cover note book, others have a string that one can hang on the neck and others are clipped on the belt and neatly rest on the waist.

His place of operation is an open area at the busy Nswazwi Mall in Francistown. Speaking in an interview recently, he noted that ever since he started, he has received tremendous support from the public.

Mr Magwaneng revealed that he does not regret the path he chose to follow as it has helped him remain financially independent.

“I never allowed the challenge of unemployment make me idle with nothing meaningful to engage on, and as such I felt the need to find means that would help me remain financially independent,” he said.

He said although he sometimes goes home with less profit, he does not despair as it was better than nothing. Mr Magwaneng explained that before he embarked on the business, he depended on short-term jobs.

“I felt things will get better if I give it a try in a business area. I felt selling mobile phone pouches was ideal since the use of the gadgets keeps growing,” he said.

Mr Magwaneng said not even the scorching heat nor chilly days would ever discourage him, noting that nothing would ever come on a silver platter except through hard work.

He said although he operates from the streets, the spirit of customer satisfaction applies. “I sometimes negotiate my prices with my customers depending on what item they wish to buy. If one cannot meet the price, it does not mean I cannot sell the product, rather we negotiate and reach a price that will leave us both satisfied,” he said.

Furthermore, he advised others not to despise odd jobs, noting that for one to earn a living, it does not mean he should be engaged in a white collar job or working for a company with a reputable name. 

Mr Magwaneng is also critical of some illegal immigrants, who he said were into the same business but always sell products, which were not up to scratch with the intention to make quick cash.

 He said they tend to under charge the products and as such his business gets affected negatively. One of his customers, Ms Neo Jackson, who uses the pouch for her mobile phone, said it was convenient to use as it does not distract her in anyway.

 She said the pouch protects her mobile phone from scratches and dirt, adding that she has been using the phone for a while, but it still looks new. Ends