12 May 2017

Seven years after operating under a tree, Ms Keamogetse Bagidi of Keagiddis Mobile Kitchen finally decided to go mobile.

Though it was not as smooth sailing as she thought it would be, the Gamajaalela-born, Ms Bagidi is grateful that her long waited dream has materialised.

In an interview with BOPA recently, Ms Bagidi stated that she nearly let her dream die because of the complications she came across when applying for a trading license.

“I had to stand up and fight hard for this trading license and here I am all smiles making a living for my family,” she added.

She further stated that at first she wanted to rent a restaurant because obtaining a mobile kitchen was a bit challenging but after realising that all the profits will be consumed by rentals and bills she later approached the department of youth in May 2016 for funding of which she became successful and was assisted to the tune  of P100 000 in October 2016.

With the P100 000, she managed to buy a mobile kitchen at Kitchen Décor Company in White City in Gaborone at the cost of P58 900 and other necessary catering equipment with the rest of the money.

According to Ms Bagidi, she got her culinary skills which she is now passionate about from her dear friend in the mining town of Selebi Phikwe back in 2010.

She noted that they used to sell food together in the mining town and though she had limited skills in cooking and mixing of spices, her friend gave her the best knowledge she will forever be grateful of.

Furthermore, Ms Bagidi stated that even though she was paying P300 monthly rent for the space to mount her kitchen she did not go to bed hungry, adding that she made enough money to take care of her family unlike when she could have rented a restaurant. She also stated that she also managed to create employment for one youth.

“Unemployment is also a concern in this country, so one youth is better than nothing,” she added.

Ms Bagidi sells breakfast, lunch and supper.

She said that breakfast made more money than other meals, adding that since winter was approaching a lot of workers came to work on empty stomachs, some woke up late and failed to make breakfast whereas some would be feeling a bit cold.

She also indicated that, besides selling food in the mornings and afternoons, she also sold at bars at night.

“It is cold at night but with a mobile kitchen you can go anywhere, anytime because it can withstand all harsh conditions,” she said.

As the only mobile caterer in North East District, Ms Bagidi advised youth to always opt for something unique whenever they wanted to get in businesses, adding that they must also be passionate about whatever they did.

She added that patience too paid, if one thing did not go right they should not give up easily but fight for it like she fought for her trading license.

For her part, the Keagiddis employee, 32-year-old Ms Kagiso Khupe of Masunga, showed her gratitude to Keagiddis for creating employment for her, adding that she was scared on how she will survive due to scarcity of jobs in the area.

She stated that she could now buy  what she wanted with her monthly salary.

Ms Khupe also added that she intended to help Ms Bagidi nurture her business since she was also in a catering business before.

She said they would help each other come up with marketing strategies as well as new menus to lure more customers.

Ms Khupe also believes that she will own her business too either catering or any other and create more employment to other youth too.

She also advised youth to make use of government programmes and make unique businesses rather than staying at home hungry. ENDS