25 Sep 2016

 The job market in Botswana is highly competitive and no position is secured with ease nowadays. 

 When a contract for the job acquired comes to an end, it becomes difficult to secure another one with the same work experience.

This was the case with Ms Segametsi Sebati from Lehututu. Having worked for Makgabaneng in partnership with Humana People to People in 2008, she thought her experience was a master key to unlock any closed door of employment. 

However, the reality of unemployment proved her wrong as her endeavour to find another job was unfruitful.

Unlike many youth who despaired in similar situation, she kept hoping for better future. 

That may provide a clue as to why as the American President, Barack Obama gives testimony in his book, The Audacity of Hope, that only those with courage and dare to cope can beat the odds.

Perhaps it is against the backdrop of such tale that she carries the hope of a human spirit’s triumph over difficult situations despite the notion that having high hopes can lead to disappointment.

Hope ushered her new relief in 2012 when she heard through the winds of news that the government had launched poverty eradication programme aimed at uplifting the lives of citizens from poverty. Subsequently she applied and was funded the same year to buy a gas stove, serving dishes and other catering utensils.

Things changed for better as she started her catering company which sells traditional food such as fat cakes, variety of baked bread, diphaphata and salads. 

She learnt how to cook by watching his mother prepare traditional food.

Her business is renting a space at Lehututu VDC market which is situated in centre of Lehututu, just a minute’s walk from the village kgotla.

Ms Sebati received food training at National Food Technology Research Centre and Mighty Skills Training Institute in 2013 and 2014 respectively. 

She said the skills she acquired had helped her to become more business savvy.

Her company also enjoyed catering tenders from Hukuntsi Sub-District Council that supported through different functions. 

She credit the said council for supporting her with transport to various places such as Kang, Khawa and other places during the infant days of her business.

‘The 34-year-old businesswoman is an inspiration to her community and had managed to survive the challenges of business world amongst all beneficiaries of poverty eradication programme in Lehututu.

Recently during the inspection of projects by Presidential Inspectorate Task Team, she was credited by team for her endurance, perseverance and hard work.

As the business world can be uncertain, Ms Sebati has diversified her business portfolio and added laundry business. 

She said the business was doing well as her clients include local football teams, tent hiring businesses and individuals.

She prides herself as one of the youth who timely responded to government’s call of cultivating the spirit of entrepreneurship among Batswana.  She urged other citizens to take advantage of such poverty eradication programme to start their own businesses. ENDS