21 Oct 2015

While other youth would rather wait for someone to employ them, Mogomotsi Motlhanka has grabbed the opportunity to use Youth Development Fund to open his business.

Motlhanka, who benefited from the YDF, said in an interview recently that the youth office in Mmankgodi assisted him to set up Balthaza Photo Studio. He received P94 000, which allowed him to buy film and picture production equipment.

The challenge was that he was funded during the period of the public servants strike, which delayed all his plans.

The strike, however, did not discourage him as his proposal was successful, allowing him to continue with other processes as he had already registered his business.

He said while still awaiting for funds disbursement, he had to pay rent for the apartment he had hired for the studio even though it took some time for the business to start running.

Motlhanka appreciated the increased time frame for repayment after he made a proposal to the youth office regarding the payment looking at the challenges and costs he met before he could settle well in the market.  

He said he was faced with a challenge of competitive market for the business as more people were venturing into the film industry.

He stated that when he had tenders to shoot at weddings and other events, he engaged two or more youths to assist him. Currently, he said he operated business from his house in Gaborone after he moved to Gaborone to find lucrative market. 

He intends to find office space in Mogoditshane, where it will be much cheaper.

Motlhanka indicated that he did not go to school to learn photography or videography, but it was a passion that he just had of taking photos, which he learned by himself and kept on advancing as technology kept on changing.

He urged other young people to be patient while waiting for their proposals to be attended to and first look for the market before they start businesses, adding that youth should use government initiatives while time still allows to better their lives and earn a living. Ends