21 Mar 2016

One youth in business who was funded through the Youth Development Fund (YDF) last year August has praised the programme for assisting him to reach his dream of owning a business. 

Mr Goitsemodimo Gunda, 28, runs a business called Spring Wealth Enterprizes which deals with servicing earth moving equipment like tractors, heavy duty trucks as well as hyper machines used in the mines.

“Even though I find most business in earthmoving machines that are normally used for a larger and heavier work, I still service normal family cars,” he said.

Mr Gunda explains that his passion of servicing cars dates back to his childhood when he used to be like an average young boy who liked fixing and knowing different parts and their use in cars.

“When growing up I used to play with toy cars, that alone cultivated this passion because I got curious to know more about cars and how they are able to move,” he said.

Spring Wealth Enterprizes owner says that he has always wanted to run a business that deals with cars and that after completing his school leaving examinations he decided to work in different workshops in Francistown and Jwaneng to gain more experience and necessary knowledge that he could use in running a business.

“On top of working in companies between Francistown and Jwaneng I also managed to get a certificate in hydraulic and pneumatic in South Africa and this was a wise move on my side as it added education to the knowledge I already have,” he explained.

His workshop, which is located in the industrial site of the town is advantageous to his business as he is among businesses that operate earthmoving machines used by the town council as well as Komatsu and CAT in the mine.

“Being located in industrial site is beneficial to my business because it is a one stop for a lot of services and products needed by different clients, so my business being here gets the exposure it needs,” he said.

When talking about business growth, Mr Gunda said his business is doing well considering that it is new in the industry as now he gets regular calls from the town council  and sub contracted companies in the mine to service their earth moving machines.

“So far I am pleased with how the business is doing considering that it is new, it gives me hope that with a few more years it will be a big brand to reckon with,” he said.

In support of curbing unemployment among the youth, Spring Wealth Enterprizes owner says that he engaged two workers on temporary basis as his business gets extra work during the hot season.

Concerning challenges his business faces, Mr Gunda says though the support from government departments is phenomenal it sometimes it forces him to dig deep into his pocket to buy products needed for servicing as the departments take too long to release his payment. 

He explained that though his business faces such challenges, it does not deter him from moving forward with his dream. 

He explains that because of passion he is able to stand for all hurdles that his business comes across.

“I chose this business out of passion therefore I go an extra mile to make sure that it stands, making profit out of my passion is just a bonus for me,” he explained. 

 He encourages other youth to enroll in assistance programmes and also encouraged them to open businesses that they are passionate about so that their businesses can stand the test of time once they are active in the industry.

He says that the youth should move away from opening businesses with the objective of making money explaining that passion will help sustain businesses. Ends