15 Jun 2016

Some young people have ventured into job creation instead of solely relying on government. 

Many young entrepreneurs are striving to make ends meet by starting up businesses.

One of them is Mr Moarabi Klass (34) who operates a shoe fixing business in Thamaga. 

Mr Klass said he started fixing shoes 10 years ago, having developed the passion from observing his uncles who were always fixing shoes.

“My uncles are the ones who made me fall in love with this kind of business and in 2006, I decided to start my own small venture using my own capital,” he stated.

When he finished his junior certificate, Mr Klass went to Gaborone where he said he did minimal jobs that were not paying much.

When he lost his job in 2006, he decided to return home where he started his small business of fixing shoes.

Situated near Choppies Super Market, Mr Klass stated that he chose the location because a lot of people were doing their grocery shopping there and that’s how most people knew about him.

“I wanted to be where there are a lot of people because I knew that’s how I would build my clientele base,” he said.

However, Mr Klass said he was yet to register his company, but he was planning to approach the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture to apply for funds in order to expand his business.

“In 2008, I tried to apply for the funds but was rejected as I was not fully aware of what was needed,” he said. 

Mr Klass indicated that he was happy with the income he made because he was able to support himself and his family.

Even though he said months ends were the busiest, he never went home empty handed even in mid-month.

“Everyday I make enough money to survive, that’s why I believe I have grown in this business and this makes me happy as it shows that customers are satisfied with my job hence they come back,” he said.

He stated that during the busy days, he got two more youths to help him. 

He said the high rate of unemployment among the youth was worrisome as some ended up being involved in anti-social behaviour like drug dealings and roberry just so they survive. 

He said this had compelled him to expand his business to create employment for his peers.

Despite the business doing well, Mr Klass decried lack of cooperation by some customers who never collected their shoes.

As a solution, he said he now demanded a deposit from customers when they brought their shoes for fixing. 

He said he had also stopped fixing low quality shoes as their repairing could be more expensive than the actual shoe itself, sometimes that often infuriated his less understanding customers as they felt he was ripping them.

“This was the main reason most customers ended up leaving their shoes here. They would feel it is better to buy another new pair of cheap quality shoes than pay for the repair,” he said.

He emphasised that, the shoe fixing business needs a lot of patience and one has to develop love for it.  

Mr Klass encouraged his fellow youth to start up their own businesses so that they could  be able to create employment for others. He stated that Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMME’s) are very vital for the growth of the economy hence the youth should come up with viable business ideas that could  give them profit. ENDS