10 Jun 2013

The mushrooming of tent hiring business in the last decades has seen great displays and decorations as tent owners try to outsmart each other in order to create a broad customer base.

The business, however, does not come cheap as it needs a lot of dedication, time and an appealing taste to customers for it to survive.

Those who have been running the tent business say they have had a lot of things to do to keep the business afloat as modernity keeps changing the style and taste of life. 

For some, the road has been tough as they have failed to survive the test hence their dream business empires tumbled down and are no more. While some fell by the way, others held on even during dark days when business was hard to come by.

Government’s Youth Development Fund (YDF), which was established solely to help the youth of Botswana to start their own businesses so they can later create employment for other youths, has benefited many.

Among them is Mr Kennedy Tlhowe, who was funded to kick start his tent hiring service in 2007.

Mr Tlhowe told BOPA that tent hiring business runs is seasonal because there are ups and downs depending on the kind of season for different events. 

He said competition in the tent business is getting tough every year as many people continue to get in the already congested industry.

Another aspect of the competition is with regard to decorators as other companies poach them due to their good work, he said.

“This does not help our business, as they keep running to and fro after being promised better pay which they never get.”

He cited lack of transport as a major hindrance for ease in his business but he has not given up as he keeps making other alternatives for transport.

 Nevertheless, he said after being funded under the then youth grant scheme, he has managed to make many achievements in his life.

Tlhowe said he has since grown and Batswana appreciates the work that he does whenever he was called to provide service adding that this has opened many doors for him. 

He cautioned the youth who want to go into business to carry out some research first before going into that business to be sure they can survive when things are hard.

He said he remained thankful for the opportunity accorded to him by government as he has managed to build his own house and family. ENDS