13 Nov 2016

Mr Joseph Nketsang (32) could not be happier after he received a life changing call from the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Cultural Development.
After completing his National Craft Certificate (NCC) in plumbing and pipe fitting from Jwaneng Technical College, the Kanye born then enrolled for an Associate Degree in Architectural Technology in 2008.
Upon completion in 2011, Mr Nketsang started doing a briefcase business of house plans and drawings from his house before he registered his company, City's JO Construction and Architects.
Government came to his rescue when he received a fund to the tune of P88 000 in September 2013. Although his business faced some challenges, he remained optimistic that his dream of being an entrepreneur would come to reality.
He was driven by the passion to excel and  intended to change the mind-set of Batswana to consume his architectural products.
He added that some Batswana were not familiar with architectural services and were not willing to pay, but he was optimistic that with education, marketing and advertising, he had a winning formula.
Although he had not been offered any tender by the local authorities, he was a proud sitting member of the Physical Planning Committee of the town council, where he is using his skills to contribute significantly to the development of Jwaneng.
Nketsang has been offered a renting space by Jwaneng Town Council at a reasonable price and has managed to secure such through the help of the town leadership. Although his services are not consumed every day, he has already started to repay the loan back.
Furthermore, he has expanded his business to include secretarial services such as photocopying and printing to help him pay rent, especially in months where the architectural business is low. He acknowledged the government for the fund, stating that most graduates bear the brand of unemployment, but such initiative can help create self-employment and eventually reduce poverty. He encouraged other youth to take advantage of the programme, to put food on the table and consequently create employment for others. ends