28 Oct 2015

The then Acting Minister of Trade and Industry Advocate Sadique Kebonang has implored residents of Lentsweletau village to come up with viable business ideas that could positively contribute to the country’s economic growth and develop lives of communities around the area   

Giving a keynote address at the Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA)’s Seventh Open Day at Lentsweletau, Advocate  Kebonang urged Lentsweletau residents to make use of available services offered by CEDA so as to develop the lives of people around Lentsweletau through viable business opportunities as small business entrepreneurs were critical in the growth of the economy.

He emphasised the need for the growth of the economy adding that the government will not in any way be able to address the challenges it faces when there is no evidence of economic growth.

The minister assured Batswana of the available financial assistance provided by CEDA if they come up with viable business ideas that can develop Botswana. The Trade and Assistant Minister further cited the finance and development minister’s statement to the effect that the development challenges of poverty, unemployment and the economic inequality requires the growth of the economy.

“Without enlarging the size of the economy, it would be impossible to create jobs that the country desperately needs in order to address youth unemployment and generate revenues to support government social welfare programmes,” the minister stated.

He therefore urged residents to opt for CEDA’s financial assistance which has a lower interest adding that it could only finance businesses from P500 to P30million. 

The minister also encouraged people around the Lentsweletau area to make use of the available land in the area that appear to be abundant so as to help sustain the country’s food security. Giving an overview of the event, CEDA’s chief operations officer, Mr. Andrew Madeswi highlighted that showcasing their services starting from last year has yielded positive results with an impressive number of individuals coming forth. The idea behind holding open days as he stated was to reach out to communities that could not easily access services offered by CEDA due to long distances.

About  14 entrepreneurs at Lentsweletau village according to Mr Madeswi have so far benefited from the CEDA funding programme to the tune of P5 million. He however expressed concern over the fact that most projects are agricultural -based with only a few on small general dealers and Supermarket.

He emphasised on the need to indulge in manufacturing and property -related businesses arguing that they are viable and have the potential to empower people economically as they are labour intensive. Mr Madeswi shared the minister’s sentiment by urging communities around Lentsweletau to come forward so that they benefit from financial services offered by CEDA which is aimed at contributing to the country’s economic growth

Mr Madeswi admitted to the fact that starting a business may be perceived to be a bit complex as there are a number of areas that need to be taken into consideration before a business could get started, citing the Local Enterprise Authority as a guide on how to go into business.

The Molepolole/Lentsweletau Sub -district Council chairperson Mr Botokanyana Motoroko expressed gratitude over CEDA’s reaction to reach out to communities on the sensitization mission about the services they offer. He pleaded with those who benefited from it to ensure that they service their loans properly to enable others to benefit from the same source. Ends