25 May 2016

 

Mr Moesi Moesi (32) of Area L in Francistown did not give up on life after his temporary employment as a network technician ended last year.

In an interview recently, Mr Moesi said late last year, he saw his friend who is in the business of using old tyres to make chairs at Serowe delivering them in Francistown and he got interested.

Mr Moesi said he started researching on how the used tyres could be turned into chairs suitable for indoors and outdoors events.  It was until he found all the relevant information that he decided to start his own business.

He explained that he started by experimenting after he bought the necessary materials from his savings and it was tough to finish a chair alone but he did not throw in the towel and he got motivated to do the tables.

Mr Moesi noted that he uses old tyres he gets from car garages around the city and others from the dumping site.

The other materials he uses are the ropes, buttons, wood, spray paints as well as bolts, nuts and screws, which he said he buys from the shops.

Mr Moesi said as it takes time to finish one product because they come in different shapes and sizes, he decided to rope in his brother Mr Benjamin Maretele, aged 20, who was also unemployed to help him with manpower, hence paying him from the profit he makes.

He further said his business faces challenges of lack of transport to deliver ordered goods out of Francistown and the price negotiations from consumers, adding that people like negotiating prices, which puts them in a tight corner as they have just started their business and wants exposure.

“The other challenge we face is that we do not have a workshop and other machinery, because we do the business from the back of our house and lack of other machinery lowers our productivity,” he added.

He added that though there are some challenges, it does not stop them from producing more chairs as they wish to expand their business to the surroundings of Francistown and further.

Mr Moesi said his business was registered recently and is looking forward to applying for youth funds in order to uplift the state of his business, more especially in finding the workshop and increasing manpower.

Giving an insight of the chairs they produce, he said they are of good quality and durable, can stand harsh conditions such as rain and exposure to the sun and the materials used are environmentally friendly, they can be used by both parents and children and also affordable to buy. Mr Moesi said since he started his business, his family never went to bed with an empty stomach as he pockets enough to put food on the table and he said his family has shown support, which motivates him to up his game.

He further said he appreciates the support he has been getting from other Batswana as the idea is not being implemented by many, saying he has a wider market.

The enterprising young man encouraged the youth who are unemployed to stop being hopeless and use every opportunity they get to make a living,adding that they have an opportunity of modern technologies such as the internet, which they can use to get ideas that can improve their lives for the better when used wisely. ENDS