03 Jul 2017

Business people have been advised to be hands on rather than running their businesses through remote control while they stay in urban areas.

Speaking at the official opening of Saverite Supermarket in Letlhakeng on June 29, Eureka Wholesalers store manager, Mr Emmanuel Bane said running businesses by remote control was the main reason many of them were collapsing.

Mr Bane also said most Saverite supermarkets that they did business with were not run by native Batswana, and therefore said the Letlhakeng branch was an exception as the proprietor was a native who started small in business and worked his way up to success.

He applauded the owner of the new supermarket, Mr Kablay Motseonageng for his good business acumen and his hands-on-approach as he said this had ensured the success of his businesses throughout time.

Mr Bane also pleaded with residents of Letlhakeng and surrounding areas to support the supermarket to ensure it survived from its competitors in the village.

He said the opening of Saverite Supermarket in Letlhakeng would make prices competitive as well as save people travelling to Molepolole to access decent shops.

For his part, the owner of Saverite Letlhakeng, Mr Motseonageng indicated that for many years, he had been a loyal customer of Eureka Wholesalers where he bought most of his stock.

He said it was through such loyalty that a friendship developed between him and the wholesaler’s management.

He said they then started giving him free business advice which culminated in him using their franchise.

He indicated that he started business at a young age after his parents died, leaving nothing much for him to raise his young siblings with.

“This then forced me to wise up at such a young age and I started doing business on everything I could, selling sorghum, opening a small kiosk and raising cattle until I got established and added other money making ventures,” he said.

Mr Motseonageng also urged the youth to utilise their youthful energy and make a living for themselves while they were still active.

He said his shop already had 16 employees, and said hopefully more employment opportunities for the locals would open up with growth.

The deputy district commissioner for Letlhakeng, Mr Boammaaruri Otlhogile indicated that Letlhakeng was one of the fastest growing villages in the area, and therefore it was only befitting that such a supermarket as Saverite opened shop there.

He also urged residents to support the supermarket so that it grew and create more employment opportunities.

He hailed Mr Motseonageng as a living example that patience was vital in business. ENDS