16 May 2017

Poverty eradication projects in Borolong are said to be progressing well and continuing to improve livelihoods for the better.

In an interview, Kgosi Israel Molema of Borolong projects such as bakery, fashion design, tent hire and decoration, food catering and several others continued to achieve their intended purpose.

Kgosi Molema said though beneficiaries of some of these projects decry of low market opportunities in the village, the projects outcome had made a significant mark in improving the living standards.

“Beneficiaries have not allowed such challenges to lead to the closure or collapse of their businesses,” he said.

“Some beneficiaries here have not been spared from challenges of low market opportunities; however they have not given up. We are impressed to see them working effortlessly on means to sustain their projects,” he said.

He said beneficiaries have resorted to provide their products and services to other neighbouring areas instead of limiting themselves only to Borolong.

Kgosi Molema also appreciated efforts by the Tonota Sub-district Council officials; noting that different tenders in line with projects such as bakery, fashion design and others were being availed to people to try their luck and boost profit margins.

He however said he was impressed that the successful projects were significantly contributing to the growth of economic activities in the village.

Meanwhile, a 61-year-old woman, Ms Bolokanang Keeditse is one of the beneficiaries engaged in fashion design project, ‘which is doing well.’

She narrated that she got assisted in 2012, through the Social and Community Development (S&CD) office with necessities such as the industrial sewing machine, over locking machine and others.

Before she started operating, she received some basic training in sewing and patchwork at Rural Industries Innovation Centre in Kanye.

She further advanced at Francistown College of Technical Vocational Education (FCTVE) specialising in garment construction, commercial patterns, fashion accessories and others.

Due to lack of a business plot, Ms Keeditse operates from her home and her clientele base is satisfactory as she serves people from as far as Tonota, Francistown and Mathangwane.

When listening to a mother of five children and also a granny to six grandchildren narrating how she started, one can pick that it was not an easy task.

She said though she was equipped with necessary skills and some experience from her previous employment in one of the local firms, she still felt challenged but the thought of giving up never crossed her mind.

“This was not an easy task especially that when I started I had to compete with some youthful designers who had been exposed to the industry for quite some time, who also have a better taste of fashion." ENDS