21 Jan 2016

Operating his business next to his competitors does not worry 28-year-old Mr Leonard Motatoki.

The Marobela born owner of a small business that operates from the outskirts of Molapo in Francistown told BOPA in an interview that it was never easy to start selling fruits and vegetables as the business has a lot of challenges. He said one needs to be strong and determined in order for the business to run successfully.

As it is his first business, he wants to be familiar with government schemes so that he can be able to apply for loans to boost his business. 

He employs three workers and noted that they have good relationships which keeps them focused to developing the business.

He said that his business targets individuals, noting that time was money in business and emphasised that the youth should not waste time because they could be using it to earn ​money.

Mr Motatoki said he developed love for selling fruits and vegetables when he came from South Africa where he was working as a boiler. 

Due to lack of employment in the country he was forced to start his small scale business to keep away from substance abuse and criminal activities.

He explained that the challenge he comes across in his business is that there is shortage of vegetables in the surrounding areas, so he is forced to travel as far as Borolong to buy tomatoes and onions.

The young businessman is sometimes forced to go to South Africa to import vegetables like watermelons which is too costly for him. 

He further said weather conditions are also a challenge as he operates his business from an open place.

Mr Motatoki’s advice is that the government should allocate them land so that they can grow their products locally to sell to Batswana and stop importing from South Africa.

He urged Batswana to buy from their businesses so that they can grow as small businesses. Ends