28 Mar 2017

A poverty eradication beneficiary, Ms Lesedi Thapelo of Semitwe has encouraged fellow youths not to despise the programme as it has the potential to bring in desired entrepreneurial goals.
Ms Thapelo noted this in an interview recently, expressing a concern that some of the youth only look up to Youth Development Fund (YDF) so as to start up their businesses.
She said when they fail to benefit from the YDF programme, they feel discouraged and quickly give up on their entrepreneurial intentions.
“The Poverty Eradication Programme does have the potential to help one achieve their goals as entrepreneurs, what matters most is the right attitude towards the programme," she said. She said though the start-up capital of the programme was little as compared to the YDF, this can be taken as a stepping ladder and one can upgrade with time.
The 33-year-old Ms Thapelo attested that it was through the Poverty Eradication Programme that she managed to kill two birds with one stone, and is now a full time entrepreneur. She narrated that when she finished her Trade Test B in carpentry and joinery at Mosetse Brigade, she tried her luck with YDF but never succeeded.
However, she said in 2014 she tried the Poverty Eradication Programme and received advanced carpentry machinery and other necessities at a total amount of P15 000.
When she started her project, she set her priorities right and today her achievements might be seen as a miracle, especially that she is doing well in a male dominated area.
While a lot of naysayers considered her job not an ideal way for a woman to earn a living, Ms Thapelo remained unfazed and her services include designing and fitting in wardrobes, kitchenette units and several other related services such as wood maintenance.
Ms Thapelo said she had always seen it that different empowerment initiatives are opportunities that need to be tapped into and with the right attitude one can reap a lot.
When she started operating, she received a good number of customers and now that her services are highly in demand in Francistown, she liaised with relevant officers to move to Francistown. “Given a chance to move to Francistown would be an advantage as it will help me cut off transportation costs,” she said. ENDS