22 May 2018

Maitlamo SACCOS cooperative society launched its five year strategic plan on Saturday at Hotel Selebi in Selebi Phikwe.

Officially launching the strategy, chairperson of Botswana Cooperative Society Association (BOCA), Mr Thatayothe Mpule commended the organisation for mapping a way forward for the cooperative society.

He said through roadmaps cooperatives could realise their objectives. He noted that challenges would be experienced during their realisation of the plan, but emphasised the need to do the best to achieve the objectives.

Mr Mpule said cooperatives should align their objectives with the national transformation strategy to realise their objectives and country’s drive to diversify the economy and bring prosperity to the nation.

He said cooperatives must come up with branding strategies to market and sell the organisation’s products and services. 

The move, he said, would attract more members and improve the society’s financial base. 

He also implored cooperatives to explore business opportunities. Furthermore, he said the organisation should strive to diversify its operations and venture into other business opportunities such as construction and real estate.

He urged cooperatives to engage the youth and encouraged them to participate effectively.

Mr Tumelo Abednico, who is the board chairperson of Maitlamo-SACCOS, explained that his organisation’s five-year strategy was developed in 2016 and approved last year. 

He explained that before the strategy was setup, they bench marked from other cooperatives in the country.

He said they aligned their strategy to National Development Plan 11 and the national transformation strategy as well as the national economic zone strategy.

Mr Zwibodo William, also representing SACCOS, said his organisation collaborated with various units in society to come up with the five year strategic plan. 

He said their strategy was also informed by the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry’s national transformation strategy. 

He said through the new strategy, 

SACCOS had concluded to come up with ways to bring in more capital for the organisation than relying on membership subscriptions to bring in funds.

He expressed concern at the decreasing numbers of members, adding that they needed diverse ways to retain them and attract more members.

For his part, Mr Christopher Tshekiso, also representing SACCOS, implored members to work as a unit to drive the five year strategic plan and realise its objectives.

 He said members should also support the initiative and rally behind those given the responsibility to lead in achieving the objectives.

 

BOPA