03 Feb 2016

From humble beginnings, Mr Gobonaone Setlhakwane is now a proud owner of a successful Internet café. 

This is all thanks to Mascom’s initiative to pick, train and fund young individuals to join the business world. 

Born and bred in Kareng, the 26-year-old budding entrepreneur appreciates that the Mascom’s Kitsong Centre campaign came at the right time when he needed funds to start his own business.

‘‘After completing an advanced diploma in software engineering at Botho College in 2013, I was unemployed for some time.

I then decided to apply for the Mascom’s Kitsong Centre campaign, which required that applicants should be unemployed. I became a finalist and finally won,’’ said Mr Setlhakwane.

Mascom funded his business in 2013 and he was handed a fully air-conditioned Mascom caravan laden with a couple of Information Technology (IT) equipment which comprises of two printers, a fax machine, two computers, a modem as well as Mascom sim cards.

Since he had a background and passion for IT, operating his own Internet café was a cup of tea.

“Information Technology is my calling. I could do it in my sleep. I had an urge to see people’s life change and through Sehithwa Kitsong Centre my yearning became a reality,” said Mr Setlhakwane.

Mascom’s main concern was to take new age services to the people especially in far-off villages. 

They also wanted to curb unemployment rates among  the youth as well as to ignite youth empowerment. That is why they formulated Mascom Kitsong Centre, observed the young entrepreneur.

The centre, which was nominated the best Kitsong Centre in the 2016 Mascom Kitsong Centre Awards,  offers Internet services, photocopying, printing and faxing. To supplement his earnings, Mr Setlhakwane also does video shooting and editing for P1 500.

‘‘I do video shooting and editing of different events such as weddings and parties in my village and the sorrunding areas. I am currently working on a project of shooting and editing a wedding video in Nokaneng,’’ he said.

Mr Setlhakwane boasted that he was 10 steps ahead of his competitors. ‘‘I advertise my company through word of mouth and pamphlets. I go to kgotla meetings and notify people about my services. I have a facebook group called Sehithwa Kitsong Centre in which I exchange ideas and feedback with my clients. All this is vital for exposure and to reach new markets,” he explained.

The promising entrepreneur’s dreams and aspirations is to see his business grow from strength-to-strength. 

Mr Setlhakwane stressed that Mascom was his life saver. He explained that the other benefits procured from the company was a sponsorship to do a course in International Computer Driving License (ICDC) at E-zone Africa, a company based in Gaborone which trains and provides certification.

The computer driving license is a license that covers both software and networking. The course fee, accommodation and food is fully paid for by Mascom. There are a few challenges that he passes through in his business such as poor network in Sehithwa. He also explained that when the business opened in 2013, residents took a while to embrace technology. His business is doing well under the circumstances.

‘I am in the process of expanding my business. That is one of the main reasons I applied for Youth Development Fund (YDF). YDF will be able to give me a platform to put my business in a competitive niche,” said Mr Setlhakwane.

Mr Setlhwakwane is optimistic that good things will prevail from now on, and he encouraged his fellow youth to take the bull by the horns and follow their dream.

“I would also like to thank Mascom for seeing the potential in me and investing on the youth since we are future leaders,’’ he concluded. ENDS