08 May 2016

The Local Enterprise Authority (LEA) and Lobatse Town Council collaborated to put together a flea market for local business owners, community and upcoming entrepreneurs under the theme Unlocking SMME potential in Lobatse Town Council.

According to LEA Ramotswa branch’s business a    dvisor Ms Pearl Segwabe, the objective of the flea market is to bring buyers and sellers under one roof and to help network and exploit month ends, as most people have cash at their disposal.

“Small micro and medium enterprises and other local businesses must take advantage of the flea markets as they are free and anyone is allowed to exhibit their products and services during that day” sighted Segwabe.

Adding on, Segwabe explicitly emphasised that the flea market is not for only LEA clients or Lobatse Town Council clients but for the community as a whole.

 LEA client and local business man Mr Fani Dikgang of Fire PRO company,  whose business specialises in supply and maintenance of  fire equipment said LEA has been his backbone since he began building his business in 2005 to where it is today.

Highlighting on why people should take advantage of services and products from LEA, Mr Dikgang said the short courses and mentorship from the organisation have made it possible to expand his business which is embarking on a manufacturing wing, focusing on fabricating portable fire extinguishers and assembling fire engines which has vast export potential.

 “My relationship with LEA has created more opportunities for me; I have had chances to network with incredible business people, and further have been sponsored by First National Bank to expand my business” said Dikgang.

Now a well-connected businessman Dikgang indicates that he is now a Fire Production Association of Southern Africa (FPASA) member, Business Botswana, Botswana Investment &Trade Centre (BITC) and also the Botswana Exporters Manufacturers Association (BEMA).

Furthermore Dikgang  mentioned that the national drive for economic diversification is what encouraged him to always consult through LEA so that he can create employment for his community adding that through it, he has been able to partner with CHUBB fire and one South Africa based security company which is ISO 9001 certified, a thing he said means that all his products and services are of international standard.

He said his company’s scope is to reduce import bills of firefighting equipment through the import substitution policy.

Giving credit to LEA for his growth and success Dikgang said “it can take you places you have never imagined or ever thought you can ever reach as a small entrepreneur, Batswana should come out of their comfort zone and explore the opportunities that come with having a good relationship with this organisation, it is absolutely free and it is high time every Motswana made use of this organisation to grow and diversify and to also expand”.

Also encouraging SMMEs and Lobatse community to tap into the products and services offered by LEA, Lobatse Town Council Principal Community Development Assistant Ms Kenaope Mokibe said, most of her client at the town council who are Poverty Eradication beneficiaries must also take advantage of the flea markets days.

Ms Mokibe said it is at shows such as these ones that most exhibitors have experienced growth in sales and have expanded their networks and have also had free marketing opportunities and exposure.

She said it is evident that after each and every flea market that SMMEs exhibit their products, they have had more orders that take their businesses even to greater heights. ENDS