06 May 2018

Nowadays, it is not surprising that people venture into businesses which they have not trained for. In this world of survival of the fittest, one looks at what works for them to make a living.

Steven Motlalepuo, 29, who has a degree in Information Technology (IT) from Limkokwing University and a diploma in Law from Gaborone University College of Law, is one such young man who has left all what he learnt at tertiary to fate.

A martial arts enthusiast, Motlalepuo aims to grow the art into a big business in Ngamiland and eventually spread it across the country.

“The plan is to grow Traditional Martial Arts organically in Botswana, and we already have two affiliate clubs in Francistown and Gaborone and this type of growth is the best way to maintain high standards and to teach people to be good human beings who care, show respect and help those in need in their communities,” he said.

Motlalepuo, the Maun Traditional Martial Arts club instructor, fell in love with martial arts at primary school, and has succeeded in turning his passion into a full-time income generating venture.

He is a self-employed instructor of both Chinese traditional martial arts and the increasingly popular sport of mixed martial arts.

Motlalepuo initially taught IT in primary schools and has  also worked in one law firm.

However, he realised that something was missing, hence he introduced the Maun Traditional Martial Arts Club.

He trains people of all ages but currently trains children from three to 17 years.

“Traditional Martial Arts is a pure system of self-defence that can be used by anyone and it gives the smaller guy the tools to prevail against much larger and stronger assailants and my passion is to keep it alive and pass on the skills for the benefit of future generations,” he noted.

Motlalepuo is a third dan black belt and remembers winning two gold medals in kata while in junior and senior schools.

Motlalepuo has put together a non-violent bully-proof programme, teaching children how to cope with verbal and physical attacks.

“Earning from what you love to do is a blessing and what I hear from thousands of small business owners is that not only have they turned their hobbies into profit but they also enjoy the freedom and flexibility that comes with being yone’s own boss,” he says.

He says there will be problems along the way when turning passion into a business but sticking to the plan is key.

Motlalepuo says some people are concerned that turning their hobbies into business will stop it from being enjoyable because there will be charges for the service.

On the contrary, he said people would continue enjoying and learning new skills.

Maun Traditional Martial Arts club has so far competed in Gaborone last year for the Wushu tournament where they won trophies, one gold and two silver medals.

The club has also, this year in March, competed in South Africa where they won 14 gold medals and six silver out of 22 children who participated at the tournament.

Motlalepuo is thankful to the Chinese Embassy which funds him to the tune of P30 000 every year as well as help from his students’ parents and Maun NTT Nissan. He charges trainees a monthly subscription fee of  P250.

“This year NTT Nissan Maun donated P2 000 and 15 caps for our trip to South Africa for the Wushu tournament and parents contributed P8 000 for the trip,” he said.

Meanwhile, Motlalepuo has pleaded with Ngamiland people and the business community to help raise funds for their trip to China in December this year.

The club is expected to participate in a Wudang  (Shaolin Mountain) tournament.

So far, Motlalepuo said only White Tiger Kung-Fu based in Francistown had pledged to donate P10 000 and the Chinese Embassy who will sponsor at least one trainee towards their trip to China.

With only about six months left, the club is expected to have raised P280 000 for 20 children who are to travel to China.

He said the trip to China would help grow children and the club adding that he would also be able to attempt his 4th Dan black belt.

His wish, he said is to see martial arts being introduced into Botswana Games and schools.

Ruth Monageng, a parent of one of the trainees spoke well about the importance of martial arts.

She allowed her 11-year-old child to train with the club in 2016.

“The club has changed the behaviour of the child and as a boy it is important for him to start being responsible at a tender age as the Setswana saying ‘lore lo ojwa lo sale metsi’ and for that my child has grown into becoming a man of the house because of the teachings he gets from the club,” she said.

As part of support to her child and the club, Monageng said she will be travelling with the club to China. ENDS