30 Jan 2017

Some poverty eradication beneficiaries who were funded for tuckshops are struggling to stay afloat due to mushrooming of similar tuckshops in their neighbourhoods.

Speaking at a meeting addressed by the Assistant Minister  for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration, Mr Thato Kwerepe, most beneficiaries decried an emerging threat from competitors.

Ms Grace Monyatsi, who is a tuck-shop owner and a beneficiary, said her tuck-shop had been doing exceptionally well and was able to support her family. 

She, however, said she was now failing to attract many customers since there were about four tuck-shops in the same neighbourhood.

“I am now very discouraged and at times I am tempted not to open the tuck-shop as I sometimes spend the entire day without any customers coming my way,” she said.

Mr Kwerepe advised Ms Monyatsi and others in the same predicament not to give up but to persevere despite the challenges. 

He emphasised the need to have the right attitude towards customers. 

“I would also advise that as tuckshop owners, you share notes and experiences for future collaborations to trade as a group as opposed to scattered individuals,” he said citing retail giant, Choppies as an example of a group effort.

Another tuck-shop owner, Ms Susan Chika said though her tuckshop was facing similar challenges, she was using the profits to build herself a decent three-roomed house, now at roofing stage.

Other beneficiaries in food packaging complained of threats from imports from neighbouring countries such as Zambia with locals preferring agricultural produce from outside.

Member of Parliament for Chobe, Mr Machana Shamukuni, thanked the assistant minister for appreciating challenges and achievements from the poverty eradication programmes. He however advised that in future, small stock be sourced within the district and neighbouring areas after reports of mass deaths of small stock which was purchased from the Ghanzi district.

Statistically, 271 poverty eradication projects were funded in the district.  Of those, 65 were not doing well, and 37 had since collapsed. Twenty-eight were categorised as successful. BOPA