08 Nov 2017

In a bid to revive the spirit of self-reliance, government initiatives have been availed for Batswana to take them.

Such initiatives include the gender affairs programme, Youth Development Fund (YDF) and Poverty Eradication Programme.

Meanwhile, some Batswana are coming forth to benefit from the initiatives either individually or as a group.

Those who had heeded the call have viable projects that sustain their families, and have created employment opportunities for other citizens.

In Francistown, a group of four women have ventured into cleaning chemicals production through the assistance of the Gender Affairs Department.

They are Ms Elizabeth Mmusi, 54, Ms Esnat Mafale, 53, Ms Gaopalelwe Bulayani, 39 and Ms Pretty Moleele, 34.

In an interview, the group chairperson, Ms Mmusi noted that sitting at home had not been their option as they fought hard to come up with a project that could benefit them.

Ms Mmusi said initially they were a group of five women who kept together and had good times. While having fun, they came up with the idea of starting a viable business, a chemical production business.

They received P272 000 from the Gender Affairs Department which they used to buy raw materials and machinery.

“We have always had the desire to be entrepreneurs but due to financial constraints we had difficulties to establish ourselves,” she said.

Ms Mmusi noted that they operated as Elite Chemicals and that they produced cleaning chemicals such as dishwashing liquid soap, pine jelly, scouring powder and several others.

She revealed that upon starting the business, they were given a six months grace period on rentals, electricity and water bills.

That, she said, gave them a chance to save and that it helped them to attend to other business errands and activities such as branding their company.

For her part, Ms Mafale noted that since they were new in the industry, they decided on an P800 monthly allowance for each of them from the profits.

“Profits generated are saved for the hard times and we agreed that each of us will be entitled to an amount of P800 as our monthly allowance,” she said, adding that with their agreed monthly wages they were able to care for their families.

Ms Mafale also said being involved in the project had brought her a positive transformation, citing that she was no longer a burden to her children.

She said although they work as a group, she was happy that there was mutual cooperation, and that they were always able to resolve their differences amicably.

“The commitment we have shown towards our project has helped us win some lucrative tenders from several companies and some individuals who visit to buy in bulk,” she said.

Ms Bulayani noted that they currently operate from a rented space at Local Enterprise Authority premises, and that rental bills were not costly.

She cited lack of transport as a hindrance to their business.

Meanwhile, Ms Moleele noted that the Women’s Exposition they attended recently in Francistown had given them exposure which helped improve their clientele base and boosted their sales margin.

She also said the business had accorded her an opportunity to explore her potential as an entrepreneur, adding that working as a group has also taught her to exercise patience.

“Working as a group helped us to grow, whenever one has an idea, we work around it and develop it into a success story, she said.

Ms Moleele further advised other women to strive to make the best out of different empowerment initiatives.

She said although most of the women have the ability to make it in the business industry, they still limited themselves due to underestimating their strength. ENDS