30 Oct 2017

Participants at a two-day Kweneng District Poverty Eradication Expo have been challenged to take advantage of CEDA’s Mabogo Dinku scheme to get empowered and to grow their businesses.

Speaking during the Kweneng Poverty Eradication Expo themed: Integrating Programmes to Mainstream Business, the Citizen Entrepreneurship Development Authority (CEDA) chief operations officer, Mr Andrew Madeswi said the loan scheme provided opportunities that small entrepreneurs could take advantage of.

“The scheme has since benefited over 670 000 nationwide at the amount of over P7 million while 4 062 people from Kweneng had benefitted out of which 3 073 businesses are reportedly doing well with loan repayments,” he said He said 252 people had sourced funds through loans that started at a minimum of P500.

He challenged beneficiaries of government programmes such as poverty eradication to work towards sustainable businesses that would not only improve individual’s economic status, but also create employment opportunities for Batswana.

Mr Madeswi advised about the need to properly identify businesses relevant to the demand of consumers of such product, saying business was not what the owner wanted, but what the market required and how it would benefit the community.

“We regularly have to be aware of factors that constantly affect business success such as markets in order to develop specific areas with the aim to make a difference in identified areas of operations,” he said.

He emphasised the need for beneficiaries to take advantage of government initiatives and ensure that they positively impacted on their lives.

Mr Madeswi expressed optimism of success as evidenced by the quality of exhibited products ranging from textiles, fashion design, bee keeping, leather work, horticultural produce and small stock among others.

He encouraged beneficiaries about the need to ensure advocacy for such programmes to encourage beginners to emulate them by actively committing towards achieving successful business growth.

Ms Kennetseng Mmusi of Sesung shared how Nyeletso Lehuma had transformed her from being a needy person to an employer.

“I am happy that I have graduated from fencing with motsetsi to mesh wire fence,” said Ms Mmusi. BOPA