09 Jul 2013

Businesses have to be nurtured and groomed in the right way so as to create wealth and jobs, a senior government official has said.

Officiating at the Lobatse Mini Exhibition director of Department of Community Development Mr Stephen Ludick said that would in the process eradicate poverty especially that government has prioritised the quest. “Although some feel these schemes are an absolute waste of money and government resources, they will never understand poverty until it hits them,” he said.

He said that in other countries small retailers are major suppliers of material to big retailers adding that small retailers in Lobatse should not give up too quickly.

Mr Ludick said at the Ministry of Local Government they are assessing over 9 000 projects, out of which they have over 990 people with their small retail stores up and running. He said over P84 million has already been given out to people to start their own businesses as an alternative package.

He urged people with big businesses to mentor, develop and interact with small retailers in order to help bridge the gap between the big retailers and small retailers and advised the small market retailers to focus on good quality. Mr Ludick also advised the small market retailers to manage money wisely as it is the most important assets of business.

Deputy District Commissioner Mr Geoffrey Gare said the show was marking the beginning of working in partnership for development of the town. Mr Gare explained that the show was to help showcase the good arts of the Lobatse small market retailers, improve the economic standards of the country and equip retailers with market skills for easier diversity and growth.

Chief Executive Officer of Milk Africa Mr Phil Matibe during his motivational speech said when it comes to business one has to sacrifice, cut down on luxurious living and plan well in advance.

He explained that Lobatse is turning into a ghost town as all companies are leaving after a short spell among them the High Court. “We saw Lobatse as a fruitful land and long planed this project five years ago because we were still finding means to solve all the problems that companies are escaping in the town,” he said.

Mr Matibe said some of his company’s major challenges were lack of feed for dairy cows, land to construct the dairy farm and unavailability of milk cows locally.

He said besides bringing the dairy farm to Lobatse he would be bringing mentorship for the backyard gardening programme in support of poverty eradication adding that as an Agricultural Demonstrator this would help localize the market of vegetables as chain stores would stop importing them from South Africa.

He promised retailers that he would leave the show having bought dresses being exhibited for his family and would encourage them to wear them in America so as to help market them overseas.

Giving the closing remarks Deputy Town Clerk Mr Oganne Gontse said they were looking forward to more of the shows hoping they would be bigger and better which will be determined by the cooperation and interest of the public and exhibitors. ENDS