08 Sep 2015

While many graduates are contending for few job opportunities, one youth in Sekoma is using his childhood passion to butter his bread. Mr Gaolatlhe Rakolopo, 28, runs a tyre service business called Pelo-Pedi Investments, which was funded by the Department of Youth in 2011 through the youth development fund programme.

Mr Rakolopo explains that his passion of tyre service dates back to his childhood days when he used to help his father patch donkey cart tyres that they used as a mode of transport in their home village of Keng.

“My father’s donkey cart tyres are the reason why I am in tyre business today, they cultivated the skill in me,” he says. 

The Pelo-Pedi Investments owner says he has always wanted to run a business and that after completing his school leaving examimations, he decided to work in different workshops in Jwaneng to gain more experience so that when he ventured into his own, he would have gained experience that he could use.

His business, which is located along the Trans-Kgalagadi Highway which is mainly used by trucks going to Namibia and tourists destined for the Central Kgalagadi Game Reserve and the world famous Okavango Delta, has helped his business grow as he has identified them as his main clients.

“Being located in the Trans-Kgalagadi Highway is beneficial to my business because this road is always busy with tourists and trucks transporting goods to Namibia,” he says. He explained that although he services off-roads car and trucks most of the time, his skills are not only limited to such cars, but also services cars of different brands and make.

Mr Rakolopo says his business is doing well because he is able to take care of his family. He says the P10 000 in average that he makes a month has enabled him to build a house.  “This business is helping me to upgrade my life both socially and economically, it has assisted me to support my nieces and nephews,” he says. 

He appreciates the support he got from the Mabutsane Sub-council and other government departments as they often use his services. “The government has not only believed in my dream by assisting me with start-up capital, even when I am operational she still supports my business,” he says.

He says although he is using a generator to generate electricity in his workshop, it will not deter him from working hard and dreaming big. He notes that challenges are part of running a business and that he will continue being in service until he finds a bigger space with electricity and water.

He advises other youth to venture into businesses that they are passionate about so that when challenges come, they will be able to hold on. He also encourages youth to make hay while the sun shines by enrolling and taking advantage of the initiatives that the government has put in place for the youth. 

Mr Rakolopo says he is aiming to have different workshops in the country to enable him to employ many people to help improve the economy of the country. He hopes that in the coming years there will be an event where businesses dealing in tyre services can showcase their skills and promote the industry as it is still marketable. Ends