05 Oct 2015

The Minister of Health, Ms Dorcas Makgato, has commended Ms Pinny Morupisi of R7 Butchery and General Dealer for contributing to the development of Malaka as well as creating employment for the community.

The business offers a wide range of services such as retail and agro business. Officially opening R7 Business in Malaka on Saturday (October 3), Ms Makgato said the government had come up with various programmes to help Batswana establish businesses and create employment for others.

She said the government introduced the Economic Diversification Drive (EDD) to assist in diversifying the economy. She said opening R7 Butchery and General Dealer formed part of the economic diversification initiatives because it would contribute to retail sector growth.

Ms Makgato, who is also the MP for Sefhare/Ramokgonami constituency, said the butchery and supermarket would not only benefit the Morupisi family, but Malaka and Lecheng villages as well because farmers and backyard gardening beneficiaries would sell their produce.

She said farmers could also sell their cattle to the butchery. She said setting up a business in Malaka was a welcome development, adding that such developments did not necessarily entail social amenities like schools and clinics.

Furthermore, she said the business would minimise trips to Palapye to buy groceries and other items. Ms Makgato further said setting up a business in a rural area was more challenging than in urban areas.

She applauded Ms Morupisi for defying the odds and opening the business despite the hardships. She also commended her for caring about the welfare of Malaka community, and urged the community to support the business.

She also encouraged her not to over-price goods so that the community could also be able to support her business. Minister Makgato further urged the Morupisi family to come up with initiatives aimed at ploughing back to the community.

Meanwhile, Ms Morupisi acknowledged having had it tough to start the project. She said she lobbied for support from both Malaka and Lecheng communities for her project to be successful.Her business, she said, offered a lot of services including agribusiness and retail, among others.

She encouraged other women to follow suit and create employment in their respective communities. Ends