07 Mar 2016

Market analyst and event coordinator from Ramotswa Local Enterprise Authority (LEA), Mr Khaolani Phineas has encouraged Small Micro and Medium Enterprises (SMMEs) to utilise the LEA flea markets to sell and market their products.

Speaking at a flea market coordinated by LEA, Mr Phineas said entrepreneurs came in small numbers yet the event was an opportunity for them. He said out of the expected 15, only seven  turned up for the Friday  flea market in Lobatse.

He urged entrepreneurs to up their game and come in numbers next month, adding that the event was a new initiative and was planned take place every month.

Mr Phineas further said the event was not only open to LEA clients, but to every small business owners who has something to sell or market as they normally struggle to make sales due to the small capacity of their products. 

He noted that retail markets normally want suppliers who could deliver in bigger capacities, saying bringing their products to the flea market was ideal for SMMEs to maximise exposure and improve their sales.

One of the entrepreneurs at the flea market, and director of Nut Fruit Juice, Ms Tsholofelo Tsumake said her products were selling like fat cakes as people showed they loved and enjoyed them, adding that her products were fruit juices and purified water. She said the day was important as it gave her a platform to market her products. 

Ms Tsumake revealed that her business was funded by the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture through the Youth Development Fund (YDF), and that she has employed three youth so far. She said she has contacted a few retail shops and hopes to supply them after addressing  a few issues.

The treasurer for Mazzy, Ms Kenalemang Guluzwa said her business was a joint venture of four youths and has not yet employed anyone. 

She said although they started by making peanut butter only, they have extended the business to catering and the supply of fruits.

She said their peanut butter was selling well at the flea market than at the operation area, adding that the event helped in marketing their products and services. 

She said their business was funded by the YDF after realising that there was no supply at most schools.

Ms Guluzwa said their main challenge was with their machinery supplier who was not corporative. She said the supplier recently supplied them with a machine which had no operation manual and disappeared. She added that they struggled to use the machine, noting that it delayed their production as they  used pots to roast peanuts. 

The director of Kelly’s Bead Work, Ms Kelebogile Tshuba said the event caused her a loss as she normally sells better at her home. She said  people were not fond of beads and traditional jewelry. 

She said she was funded by the Poverty Eradication Programme with P5 000 which she said was too small to produce variety and hire staff as the job requires more labour. 

She said at times she loses customers after failing to meet a target for group supply as she could not do it alone in a short period of time. Ends