05 Sep 2016

The presidential inspectorate task team has advised beneficiaries of government programmes on the importance of record keeping in any business venture.
Part of the team which was undertaking periodic inspections of government programmes in Mogoditshane recently,  noted that record keeping will make it easier for the beneficiaries to manage cash flow and understand how their business was doing.
“Recording keeping will also help in the growth of the business especially when it comes to funding. When you require funding from entities such as CEDA they will want to know if the business is on track,” said Mr Johnnie Swartz who was leading the team.
During inspections of projects under poverty eradication and Youth Development Fund (YDF), it transpired that most of the beneficiaries did not keep up to date records of their businesses while some did not have any.
The team also advised on the need to have a standard template for lease agreement as it had occurred that the lease agreement was always breached by the landlord, thereby leading to the collapse of most businesses.
Mr Swartz said it appeared the lease agreement was not taken seriously adding that in future a firm lease agreement should be a must when awarding government programmes to individual beneficiaries.
The issue of lease agreement as observed by the team seems to have affected many beneficiaries and Ms Veronica Malatsi is one of them.
She started operating in 2013 in Mogoditshane and her business of textiles was promising, being able to pay monthly business rentals of P2 000.
However, the landlord breached the three year agreement, forcing Ms Malatsi to close shop and relocate to Molepolole where she had to start marketing her business to the new clientele.
She was funded to a tune of P99 958.
The relocation and having to set up the business again affected her income and servicing the loan.
Earlier on during their interactions with Ms Tshwaro Tshimanyana, a poverty eradication beneficiary who runs a food catering business, the task team members advised her to market her business given the stiff competition from those in the same venture.
Despite the programme having uplifted her life, it appeared lack of a market strategy and comprehensive record on how her business was performing was a setback.
Ms Tshimanyana caters for individuals and government departments and has created employment for three people on part time basis.
The 28-year-old could not keep track of whether he business was making progress or if she was making profit.
This has as a result, dampened her spirit as she has now opted to cater on part time basis to individuals, and obviously the income is not something to be happy about.
Among others, the team also noted irregularities on equipment issued to the beneficiaries for catering. They observed that guidelines were not applied across board and varied from one individual to the other.
Ms Tebo Dira, a beneficiary seems to be making head way despite some challenges. She is into textiles, making school uniforms and clothes to individuals.
Her concern was lack of suitable sewing machines saying the domestic machines she currently uses were slow and made it difficult for her to reach target. She thus suggested for an industrial machine.
Ms Dira's business gets support mostly from government as she is often contracted to make school uniforms for orphans. She also appreciated the support she gets from the social workers who pays her regular visits to check if she is still on the right track.
She has also roped in her mother as a mentor in addition to the six months training she acquired before she started operating.
The 34-year-old Mr Peo Tshiamo is making use of the P100 000 she was funded with to kickstart his driving school business.
His business focuses on teaching advanced driving skills to both learner drivers and experienced ones. Given the demand of what his business offers, he has employed 14 people and looks to expand beyond Mogoditshane to areas such as Francistown.
The YDF beneficiary is struggling with high rentals, which stifles efforts to service his loan. However, Mr Tshiamo's wish to own a plot where he could operate from has been answered as he has been given a plot to operate from opposite the Sir Seretse Khama Barracks.
He however feels the piece of land measuring 5000 square metres given to him is small given the vision for his business.
Mr Tshiamo has also employed an accountant to manage the cash flow in his business, a move that impressed the task team members. ENDS