08 Sep 2015

From university most youths aspire to join the corporate sector in order to have good paying white collar jobs. Two graduates in Mahalapye decided to take the road less travelled and to open a business which provides architectural and digital printing services.

The duo, Mr Mafa Moloi and Mr Merapelo Magogodi both studied at Curtin University, but were distant friends who never imagined doing business together. Mr Mafa holds a degree in interior architecture while Mr Magogodi holds a degree in architecture technology and they both completed their studies in 2012.

“We work as a team because we have different qualities, abilities and skills which enhance creativity in our services,” said Mr Mafa The self-funded business started in 2012 but nearly closed down the same year. They stressed that perseverance and passion kept them trying during tough times. Their major challenge was inadequate funds and being unknown players in the market.

They offer services such as residential, commercial and industrial plans and attend to at least three clients every week. The business received a major cash injection after they applied for the Youth Development Fund to the tune of P90 000 in 2014. Through the funding they managed to acquire sales merchandise and advertised their business in a larger scale.

Mr Magogodi said they realised a gap in the market and decided to diversify their business by offering digital printing and branding services which they believe was the first of its kind in their region. The ambitious duo has future plans of diversifying their business by moving into construction and property in order to grow the business and increase cash flow streams.

However, they are facing competition from other players in the market, but Mr Magogodi maintains that competition brings creativity and that it was important to compete and not be in a comfort zone. Their main challenge is lack of office space in prime business areas of Mahalapye.

The space they currently occupy cannot accommodate all their machinery. This may in future force them to move to the outskirts of the village which might also affect their business. In addition, the equipment and consumables needed in the day to day running of the business are expensive and mostly imported from South Africa.

The duo would like to advise any youth who aspires to venture into business to be ready to persevere, work hard and face business challenges head on as well as to take advantage of government programmes and initiatives.  ENDS