01 May 2017

A 28 year old Mr Kholisani Nkumane of Kalakamati has explained that his previous setbacks in life inspired his business name.

Trading under Once Beaten Twice Shy Farm, the youthful entrepreneur hopes that his P100 000 youth funded project will inspire youth all over the country to never give up in life, as well as to try harder until they achieve their dreams.

In an interview with BOPA recently, Mr Nkumane who was not successful in his Junior Certificate examinations said he he had now achieved his dream after trying and failing many times.

He said he did three short courses at Impala on fish farming, leather works and small stock, adding that he also believed that these three courses will change his life ,especially that he was now following his passion.

He further stated that, armed with these skills, he intended to venture into more businesses and make enough money to change the lives of those around him as well as be an example to other youth that they could also make it despite their educational background.

Furthermore, Mr Nkumane also stated that before pursuing the three short courses, he was braaing meat for sale in bars at night to make ends meet but failed due to low profits.

Narrating his journey, he mentioned that he was once a labourer at Fire Bricks Company in Kasane in 2011 before moving to Gaborone where he worked temporarily as a waiter at CurryPot Company.

According to Mr Nkumane, after he realised that nothing was working for him he moved back to his home village, Kalakamati, where he worked at the Department of Wildlife and National Parks in Masunga under the Tirelo Setshaba programme from 2012 to 2016 where he resigned to follow his farming interests.

He was then funded through Youth Development Fund to the tune of P100 000 in 2016 and managed to buy 52 goats.

He said though he was now into farming, he also wanted to venture into office supplies and civil engineering, to follow in his father’s steps.

“One does not need a degree or a tertiary education in order to make it in life,” he said. He also added that once they faiedl at school most youth today threw in the towel instead of trying harder.

“I am not ashamed that I did not go to tertiary but with passion and determination, I am going to change my life and take care of my family,” he added. ENDS