21 Apr 2016

Mr Bernard Mazunga (31) of Kgaphamadi ward in Kasane has started a tyre service business in the Chobe District capital.Speaking in an interview, he said his experience was gained while working at Tyre Max in Kazungula.

He stated that he worked for six years at the company solely to acquire the requisite knowledge, skills and experience because he had an ambition of starting his own business.The young man also received support from his friends and family, especially advice on how to operate a successful business.

In December last year, he left the company to start his ambitious project and by January this year, the business was fully operational and had much hope that through patience, hard work and discipline, he would reap from his business.Mr Mazunga said he had challenges while acquiring machinery.

He stated that he was currently using manual tools, something that delayed a lot of customers who then sometimes moved to other service providers. He managed to source a tyre compressor at Pandamatenga hardware through the help of friends, noting that the other shortcoming was lack of a proper place to run the business because the physical planning department at Chobe District Council had suspended allocation of temporary spaces around the district due to some developments taking place.

Therefore, he had to look for shelter under a tree near Kgaphamadi bus stop.He stated that had not employed anyone, but hoped that in the near future, he would empower the youth in Chobe because he was also concerned with high unemployment rate amongst the youth, wthat at times tempted them to give in to alcohol and drug abuse, prostitution and many others.

Mr Mazunga stated that he would hand it over his business plan to youth office for funding in order to extend and grow the business.His future dream was to have a well segmented workshop, where he would employ a significant number of people according to their expertise in tyre fixing and that would make his business more efficient.

He remained positive that this would create opportunities to tender for service provision in government departments and other non-governmental agencies or companies.Mr Mazunga said as Botswana will be celebrating 50 years of independence this year, every Motswana should show what they were doing for this country.

He said every business had its own challenges and it took patience, passion and a strong positive attitude to overcome these challenges.Mr Bokwalwetswemang Montsho, who was sitting in a couch tailor made for customers while waiting for service, said he always brought his car to the place as he trusted the work done by Mr Mazunga.ENDS