03 Nov 2016

One of the major concerns at the moment is unemployment especially amongst the youth.

There are many graduates roaming the streets with degrees feeling demoralised.

Unlike many youth who find themselves in a similar situation, 33-year old Ruth Kgautlhe beat the odds, fate ushered her new relief in 2014 when she heard that the then  Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture had launched Youth Development Fund (YDF) programme aimed at uplifting the lives of young people.

She did not want to be left behind and tried her luck.

She applied for funds and was funded to the tune of P100 000 which assisted her to kick start her bakery business.

Initially she was funded to operate from Jwaneng but she encountered challenges relating to operating space.

Nevertheless, it was in March 2016 that she moved to the nearby village of Sese and started her business.

The funds were however not enough, since they did not cover the purchasing of raw materials resulting in Kgautlhe sourcing money from friends and family members for some raw materials. Nonetheless, this shortcoming did not discourage her.

She pleads with the government to consider the kind of businesses when funding because the costs are not the same, saying some youth projects get more than they require and others not given enough for projects.

With a staff complement of four, she says she never looked back since what she only wanted in life was success and nothing else.

“I found something to live on and help others,” she says.

Her business is renting a space at one of the general dealers which is situated in the centre of Sese, just a minute’s walk from the village’s main kgotla.

Given that she was not skilled in baking, she says she then enrolled for a one week short course in business management where she acquired the required skills and orientation.

She says market-wise the business is doing well, “The business is doing well. Our primary customers are individuals, tuck-shops, general dealers and most of the people from Jwaneng,” she says
At the moment her stove bakes 60 loaves per bake. So on a good day she bakes about 360 loaves but she can make up to 540 when demand is high especially at month end.

Her products range includes cakes, rock buns, fat cakes and cream doughnuts.

She is steadily making her name through her business in Sese. She says recently during the inspection of projects by the Presidential Inspectorate Task Team she was applauded by the team for her endurance, perseverance and hard work. 

Even though the business is doing well, she says her worry is that she has not yet branded her business as most people go for big brands.

However, she says branding her business is on the pipeline.

Despite her positive story, the budding entrepreneur reveals that lack of her own business plot is a setback as she spends a lot of money on paying rent.

The youthful entrepreneur also laments that their greatest challenge is the ongoing water rationing and electricity in the village of Sese, “This has hugely affected our baking output capacity. We had to reschedule our baking times,” she says
She is nonetheless hopeful that the business will survive despite the challenges and encourages other young people not to give up on life when days are dark.

Even though some youth are still reluctant to venture into business, she advises them to take advantage of available government programmes so as to relieve themselves from poverty and also reduce the rate of unemployment.ENDS