07 Oct 2015

Small business owners have complained that they were made to compete with big enterprises during the Makgadikgadi Epic on recently. The Small Medium Micro Enterprises viewed the event as a golden opportunity to make money but were disappointed to have been paired with well established entities.

Unlike last year when only eight SMME’s were given the opportunity to set up stalls at the event, this year the number had been increased to 10. 

Although appreciating the opportunity to make money that they do not make on their daily operations throughout the year, some decried the unfair treatment by Nata Sanctuary and Botswana Tourism Organisation (BTO).

Based in Nata and running her catering company, Dicks and Sons Catering, which started its operations in 2010, the manager, Ms Dikakanyo Dilo said being part of the Makgadikgadi Epic after failing to make it last year brought the hope of making good returns this year. From the 40 people that applied to have catering stalls at the event, her company made it to the required 10 that were allocated stalls. 

Although it came at cost because  they had to part with P250 which was non refundable and P300 after being awarded the tender, Ms Dilo said parting with such an amount was tough considering that it takes her more than two weeks to make the money.

She said after being allocated stalls as SMME’s and believing that it would only be them competing against each other, they got a shock of their life when some well established entities such as Barcelos and Segwana started setting up next to them. 

And despite seeking clarification on the issue, she said the feedback that got was not satisfactory because they were informed that in the case of Segwana, it was a client using the branding material of the mother company and not the company itself. 

However, Ms Dilo said instead of selling drinks in bulk, the client was also selling in units just like them. She noted that the client beat them in prices as his soft drinks were sold at P6.50 while they sold the same drink for P10 in order to make returns and cover the costs of going to Francistown to order at the depot or wholesales. 

She said comparing themselves  with such entities, they had played a meaningful role in empowerment as they had engaged unemployed youth, adding that in her case, she had engaged two young people to help in the stall while Segwana came with its employees from Francistown.

Commenting on the concerns, BTO chief executive officer, Mr Thabo Dithebe said unlike last year were SMME’s owners had to set up their own stalls and make all provisions for their stay, this year they had provided them with everything including water.  

Regarding Kgalagadi Breweries Limited (KBL) presence, he explained that SMME’s should not see them as competition, but as business partners who could partner with them.

Furthermore, he highlighted that KBL  was also there on the basis of their invitation because last year SMME’s failed to supply people with bottled water, adding that they were also there to promote the country’s brand being St Luis lager. 

Ms Dilo noted that SMME’s were not allowed to sell alcohol as per the conditions of their vendors’ license. 

As for the P550 which they had to pay, Mr Dithebe said it was to cover the costs of the provisions they made such as a complete stall. He also noted that not everybody enjoys traditional cuisine and that Barcelos was there to cater for such people. Ends