09 May 2016

Gone are the days when some skills were synonymous with men only because today, many men and women have broken gender barriers in as far as abilities to do things are concerned.

Ms Dikhufalo Keesi of Maun is one of the many females that have been able to break the gender lines through her lock smith and plumbing business previously dominated by men.

The 33-year-old Ms Keesi started her business through self-sponsorship in 2013 but was later regenerated through the Youth Development Fund (YDF) to the tune of P98 000 in 2014.

Sometimes a negative situation can be a blessing in disguise, and this philosophy resonates well with the young woman’s experience some years ago when she had to struggle to find a place where she could replace her lost car key in Maun

“I had to literally remove the car door and take it to Francistown for the service,” she said, adding that she was so desperate that she eventually realised a niche in the market and the rest was history as today, she is the proud owner of a company called Laureate and Lock Smith Enterprises.

With a plumbing experience from her former employer, Ms Keesi coupled the key cutting business with plumbing services and her business specialises in replacement of keys of all types including those of vehicles and property.

The business also offers the construction of swimming pools, plumbing, pump repair and installation.

Ms Keesi said through the YDF money she was able to acquire a key cutter automatic machine which has eased her operations.

Laureate and Lock Smith Enterprises serves customers in Maun and surrounding areas; safari camps are her major clientele as she supplies septic tanks that are environmentally friendly to them.

“The tanks allow waste to be treated and the water can be re-used for irrigation or washing purposes,” she said, adding that she appreciated the Local Enterprise Authority for training her on entrepreneurship and book keeping.

The LEA training, she said has nurtured her in financial management; hence she considers herself an employee who must avoid mismanagement of business funds.

She considers financial management core to entrepreneurship since many businesses collapsed due to misuse of business income. 

Ms Keesi noted that her two year old business was flourishing and currently has six employees with some working on site while others operate from the office.

However, Ms Keesi encouraged young people to engage in businesses and to exercise patience once started.

 She noted that a business was a risky undertaking with unknown outcomes. ENDS