05 Mar 2017

FRANCISTOWN - Some people believe that technology changes from one generation to another, hence their quest to take full advantage of such and eke a living.
This is true in the case of a 30 year-old, Mr Kagiso Monnei from Francistown, who believes that creativity can earn a living for many people if they fully utilise their hands.
Speaking to BOPA in an interview recently, he explained that he makes products that are made out of waste materials, which he picks around the city and recycles.
“Even though I am still in the process of applying to CEDA for funds, I am proceeding with the business by crushing  bones, bottles and broken plates to make ceramic, which is being mixed with water because I do not use any chemical,” Mr Monnei said.
Mr Monnei said that his business is bringing a lot of income because he does not buy materials and people call him for tenders so that he can make tiles for them.
He said although he still has a challenge with shortage of machinery, he uses a microwave to dry his products and explained that the microwave uses gas or oil only.
“These limit the number of products that I make per week because it takes long to process the mixture until we end up having a finished tile,” he said.
He further said he made tiles and clay glasses of all types, which attracts customers and companies, something which has boosted his market. Mr Monnei further said that he is using recycled clay dug from the mines to make the clay tiles and bones to make Aramaic tiles, which he will soon be selling to China.
A local tile seller, CTM has promised to help him to find customers around the country and have even ordered tiles from him.
“This idea came up because I used to bake and sell biscuits, so the tiles have the same shape and go through the same process and it motivated me even more to make ceramic tiles,” Mr Monnei added.
In addition, he highlighted that he is able to make everything on his own and now he is marketing himself though the media, which has the potential to expand his business. He said he entered a few competitions where he obtained position one in Francistown and Gaborone where some cabinet ministers encouraged him to continue with the business as they felt it was unique.
Mr Monnei said that although the community is interested in following in his footsteps, his advice is that it was not a bed of roses but he is willing to share knowledge once the business is established.ENDS