16 Jun 2013

Repairing of cell phones is an emerging field, which some people undertake to make a living.

In an interview recently, Mr Face Mokgalo (42) of Tutume said he started the business in Selebi Phikwe. At first, Mr Mokgalo repaired digital watches and sold earrings in Selebi Phikwe since 1990, but he could not make ends meet. Then he decided to try his luck somewhere else and he was offered a job by Onkabetse Panel Beaters for a few months.

He then quit after he was invited by some of his friends in South Africa to go and learn the basics of how to repair cellular phones. While in South Africa, he learnt the trade through his friends, who taught him the general maintenance of a cell phone. In 2002, he returned to Selebi Phikwe to apply his skills and started a small company, which specialised in repairing cell phones.

As the market was still new, he progressed well and in 2004, he was able to buy himself two motor vehicles with the money he got and also fed his family. In 2007,  the demand for cell phones increased, adding that he decided to  move back to his home village of Tutume as there was no more market in Selebi Phikwe.

The market was awesome as many customers in his home village trusted him and a day would not pass-by without having received at least 10 customers. Mr Mokgalo encouraged anyone who wished to venture in to the field to be more creative and innovative and have passion for it as it was a challenging job. ENDS