21 Sep 2017

For 33-year-old Ms Matshediso Kealotswe, 2017 will go down the memory lane as her year of breakthrough. After working as a house maid for years, she was finally funded under the Poverty Eradication Programme in July.

Unlike her peers who flocked for fancy businesses, Ms Kealotswe’s mind had always been on bricklaying, and her wish was granted when she received a mixer, 150 bags of cement, three spades, three shovels, brick moulder, water tank as well as basic office furniture.

Every morning she makes her way to the industrial site in Jwaneng where she operates, to meet the demands of the booming construction in the township.

Even though most of her customers are within Jwaneng, she occasionally gets clients from neighbouring Sese which is also experiencing a high construction rate.

As a way of marketing the business further, the Palapye-born young woman has resorted to walking house to house, leaving flyers in yards where construction is taking place, especially at the newly developed Unit 8.

However, sometimes she gets disappointed when her bricks differ in texture with the ones initially used by the clients.

“It’s a setback when clients reject my bricks because just like any business I want to make maximum sales. Sometimes customers would complain that I am using more crush dust in my mixture, but I have since corrected that and I hope those who bought bricks from other suppliers can still buy from me.”

Even though the business is relatively new, Ms Kealotswe is optimistic that it will do well as it is already providing for herself and her daughter.

It has had a positive impact in her life as compared to the domestic work that she used to do. She even engages other young people on temporary basis depending on the orders at hand.

“Since I am using a manual brick moulder, I have to engage other people to help me so it depends on how they charge per bag of cement. Working with others helps me to finish orders on time while at the same time they get empowered as well,” she said.

However, the exorbitant rentals in Jwaneng are a threat to her infant business. Her efforts to seek a cheaper space have proved futile and she has to continue with the high rentals.

Notwithstanding, this has not dampened her spirit as she envisions her business having branches in villages such as Sekoma so that she can cater for other areas as well. BOPA