19 Oct 2015

Despite the Department of Gender Affairs efforts to fund and curb unemployment rate amongst Batswana, it is still disheartening to see potential small businesses struggling due to lack of profound support from well-established organizations.

Quko (PTY) LTD is facing the same predicament. The company was registered in 2014 and started operating in May 2015 after Gender Affairs funded it to the tune of P250 000 from which P20 000 was used on food and accommodation during  training. 

The Gumare -based company makes chemicals and other cleaning materials such as floor polish, multi-purpose cleaners and dish washing liquid. It was founded by four ladies and one gentleman.

Speaking in an interview with BOPA recently, the two company shareholders, Ms Reetsanang Mokoya and Ms Gasewame Lesolentsi said before they started the business they were all unemployed.

“Through word of mouth, we heard that Gender Affairs is able to fund potential business owners who were unemployed at the time. We decided to try our luck and our application was successful,” said Ms Mokoya.

The duo explained that starting up the business was much easier because one of the shareholders, Ms Moamogeleng Pule had a wealth of experience in the chemical business.

They explained that they chose the chemical business because it was unique in its own right and there was a gap of the supply in their area.

Ms Lesolentsi explained that they found a business place to rent at P1 800 a month. They used some of the capital to pay rent, buy machinery for mixing the chemicals, other material and substances needed to make the procured end products and saved some of the funds.

She said they buy all the material from Gaborone because it is much cheaper compared to Maun. Ms Lesolentsi said they use their own transport hence the cost affects their business. She said their prices are on the competitive niche with other businesses in their area. She said 25 litres of dish washing liquid goes for P500, 20 litres for P280 and 5litres for P100. Floor polish for 20 litres at P300, small tab for P110, 20 litres pine gel for P310, 5 litres for P110, 25 litres of multi cleaner for P300 while 25 litres of handy Andy for P295.

Quko (PTY) LTD is doing all it can to cater for the needs of the residents of Gumare. They have distributed business cards in offices around Gumare and have put up signboards to market their business. They also make door-to door campaigns to boost their sales and usually offer discount to regular customers.

‘’Despite all our effort to market our products, well established businesses in the area do not buy from us. They would rather order from Gaborone, Maun or South Africa which kills our spirit,” Ms Lesolentsi said.

Other contributing factors are high rent and transportation charges to deliver goods from Gaborone to Gumare . Ends