19 Jul 2017

Mmabesi multi-product cooperative is akin a bleeding swimmer trying to cross a deep sea infested with sharks, but hopeful to reach the other end unharmed.

Seized with insurmountable challenges ranging from lack of a suitable trading place to securing a robust market for various household detergents, the cooperative is hard at work to keep afloat.

First on their menu is addressing lack of funds to necessitate their developmental agenda.

The cooperative seeks to build a modern and spacious workshop which is a prerequisite to certification.

Registered in 1996 under Botswana Cooperative Act, the struggling cooperative is barred from certifying their products before satisfying some grounds like a clear demarcation of areas within a workshop.

Situated at Mere ward, Serowe, the building housing Mmabesi Coop is secluded behind Cash Build at Boiteko Junction Mall, where accessibility is inhibited, save for manoeuvring through a footpath that passes the building into residential areas.

Production manager, Mr Albert Kenosi recollected that at some point, they had to abort their expansion plans after Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency reportedly declined to fund them on grounds of ignorance on cooperatives operations.

However, Mr Kenosi expressed that they have since approached some embassies to help erect a workshop that would see them producing in good numbers to satisfy their market.

Although decrying lack of market for their products after withdrawing from an agreement with some local chain store that spanned two years due to high production costs against the set price, the cooperative has since found a market in

Selebi Phikwe and Bobirwa region, where they supply an array of detergents.

The cancelled agreement was necessary to save the eight-member cooperative from a near collapse in a tough business environment that required them to survive nonetheless.

Mr Kenosi revealed that there were initially 60 members who later fell by wayside as the business environment toughened.

In Selebi Phikwe and Bobirwa areas Mmabesi Coop, Mr Kenosi revealed, supplies Saverite Supermarket and Welcome with cleaning detergents.

He also revealed that they had since tabled a proposal before Saverite management to supply their other branches in Tswapong region.

Despite some individuals and companies warming up to Mmabesi Coop products, the production manager fault government institution for lack of support.

He said they had tendered to supply schools and government offices with detergents and paints but have consistently failed despite satisfying all the requirements.

Ironically, even the department of cooperatives has been fingered among the non-supportive institutions in consumption of cooperative’s supplies.

However, he conceded that uncertified products could be a defining factor in their loss, but argued that they could still source certified products if given the tender.

While conceding to some challenges, Mr Kenosi said they had cast their net wider and were working with Botswana Investment and Trade Centre to supply some market in Zimbabwe but that was if they got certification from Botswana Bureau of Standards (BOBS).

Mr Kenosi revealed that they were using BOBS standards for some of their over 30 products.

The use of standards in question costs about P6 000 per product and certification costs P47 000 per product.

Getting some raw material from Gaborone had proved a daunting task for the society since the closure of their then supplier.

Resources permitting, Mmabesi Coop will import raw material straight from China, which will cut down their production costs.

While trying to make their mark in the market, Mmabesi Coop household detergents and paints face a stiff test against renowned brands that customers have grown accustomed to.

To change customer perception there is need for aggressive marketing of the products but, shortage of funds has curtailed their efforts and therefore continues to play second fiddle to the tried and tested brands, Mr Kenosi said. BOPA