09 May 2016

The Local Enterprise Authority (LEA) recently held a flea market at Mochudi to showcase small businesses in Kgatleng .

Speaking in an interview with BOPA, the project coordinator Mr Khaolani Phineas said the flea market event commenced in January this year. 

He said the event is organised every month end in Kgatleng by LEA with the aim to create platform for unknown businesses in the region. 

He said the latest event was the third to be held in Kgatleng.

Mr Phineas said they invited small businesses to come and showcase their skills and products through the Youth Development Fund of the Ministry of Youth Sport and Culture and  poverty eradication programme, as well as everyone in the region who had a small business with the aim that people will recognize them.

Mr Phineas said entrepreneurs came with their own ideas, LEA advised them and saw how they could flourish in the market and industry.

He said LEA helped small entrepreneurs by providing them with development services through screening, business planning, mentoring and business management. 

He also said the organisation promoted domestic and international linkages between the small businesses, the government and large business entities.

He said evaluation had shown that entrepreneurs were happy with the flea market initiative as it had given them a lot of exposure.

He said there was little turn up of people as  there were many national activities held every month end which hindered them from coming. 

He said another challenge was from some invited entrepreneurs who did not show up at the flea market.

Mr Phineas advised entrepreneurs to be committed, passionate and hardworking if their businesses were to grow. 

He further advised the public to encourage local business and support them before supporting international entities.

One of the LEA beneficiaries, Ms Kebareng Kgang who is the proprietor of The Foundation Design said she started her business last year after being sponsored by the Youth Development Fund. 

She said she had passion in manufacturing bags so she followed her dream.

 She said LEA advised her on how to start and market her business. 

She noted that the flea market initiative had helped her as more people were now familiar with her business. 

Another beneficiary, Mr Mooketsi Setshedi who is the founder of Kejapholo’s Art and Craft said he recently started his business after being sponsored by the Youth Development Fund. 

He said his passion for art started when he was at primary school. He advised talented artists to showcase their art works at exhibitions and benchmark so that they could grow their potential and skills. ENDS