29 Oct 2015

When life throws a lemon to you, make lemonade. It is a good inspiration for anyone trying to make the best out of a bad situation.

This is how Ms Masego Kanyatsega sees herself today after years of struggle. Just like any child in a family, her parents had pinned their hope on her with high expectations that one day she will get a well paying job and support them financially. However, their expectations were dashed following her underperformance in BGCSE in 2002. 

However, Ms Kanyatsega did not easily throw in the towel. She tried to supplement her BGCSE results for three consecutive years, but the academic route proved not to be her calling.

“I never give up so easily in life. This has shaped my character and developed a fighting spirit whenever faced with adverse circumstances,” she said.

In 2006, she relocated to Kang to search for greener pastures. Upon arrival she worked as a cashier in various supermarkets. Still life was tough as the little salary could not sustain her. 

However, luckily for her, she cultivated the spirit of entrepreneurship through networking with established business people.

Fast forward to 2013, the government presented an opportunity for her through Youth Empowerment Scheme (YES), and Ms Kanyatsega was fortunate to be selected among the youth who were trained for entrepreneurship skills at Pandamantenga. The arrangement was that following their training, they would be given the first priority to apply for government funding.

She secured a place to operate from and purchased some washing machines and other necessities required for her business. Her business caters for people from all walks of life including government and parastatals employees and Kang residents.

“People are busy because of the many demands in life and have little time to wash clothes for themselves, and my business became the last resort,” she reckons.

Ms Kanyatsega said she works alone as the work was not demanding and only employs temporary assistants when the need arises. She commends her business for changing her life, as she can now put bread on the table for the family. She is also developing her plot in Kang. She attributes the success of her business to her supporting husband.

“My husband has always been with me since the start of my business until now. There were times I felt like throwing the towel, but through his spiritual guidance I managed to overcome challenges,” she said.

The growth of her business, however, has put Ms Kanyatsega under pressure due to the small space as she cannot utilise bid, advanced machinery. To prove how determined she is in achieving her ambition to become an entrepreneur of note, she said she was still conducting a feasibility survey to consider whether she could make more profit by introducing a dry clean business.

Her word of advice to those in business is that they should learn from people who have tried and failed and tried again. Ends