29 May 2018

Whilst some may think of “metshelo” as mere financial assistance schemes, others take them seriously using them to full advantage by socialising and in the process exchanging business ideas.

Spinkie Bakery directors are a living example as it was during one of their motshelo gatherings in 2016 that the idea of opening a bakery was conceived and has since been achieved.

The five women, Ms Pinkie Lota (38), Ms Kemotho Balala (40), Ms Segametsi Otsetswe (43), Ms Rosina Mokalake (48) and Ms Reginah Dlodlo (45) from Senyawe, Motshegaletau, Mokungwane, Lecheng and Tonota respectively followed up the idea by seeking financial assistance from the Department of Gender Affairs.

Unlike many who struggle to get funding from the department, they were successful right away getting the finance in 2016. However, the business started operating in March 2017.  

Currently located in Extension 1 in the fast growing Palapye viallage, Spinkie Bakery produces almost all kinds of bread including, diphaphatha, fat cakes, scones, rock buns, cream doughnuts and  loaves.

On why they opted for a bakery, one of the company directors, Ms Lota was quick to point out that it was the best option as bread was eaten on daily basis.

“We also considered the fact that it is easy to prepare bread as most of the people know how to do it from back home.

None of us studied any course related to our business but we all came into the business with our little knowledge of preparing bread at home and from Home Economics classes back at Cambridge,” she said.

Ms Lota said they only went on a two-week course where they were taught the main requirements of preparing bread for business.

She said contrary to misconceptions that it was hard for women to work together harmoniously, Ms Lota said they were managing well because they got into business knowing each other’s capability and agreed that clients would be their first priority.

Furthermore, she said even if there were some disagreement, they never allowed them to affect business.

Ms Lota said they were not threatened by competition from large supermarkets because their bread had its own special taste which attracted more customers than one could imagine.

The bakery supplies the local primary hospital, some schools, some general dealers in Palapye and surrounding Tswapong villages as well as individuals.

Ms Lota said their main challenge was increased workload for the five of them when there were more orders because they had to take care of management duties, production, delivery as well as marketing on their own.

“We are currently doing everything on our own though sometimes we engage a few people temporarily but we wish to hire more staff in the future so that some of us can focus more on marketing the business which we believe will assist the business to grow,” said Ms Lota.

According to her, love, patience and determination were the requirements for a business to prosper saying most Batswana failed because they were lacking in those areas.

“The problem with Batswana is lack of patience that is why there are always misconceptions that government initiatives are given to certain people. Our application was returned many times for us to correct some mistakes in our business proposal but because we were patient and determined, we ended up being funded and here we are today able to support our families without struggle,” said Ms Lota.

Plans include buying more delivery vehicles to add to the existing one so as to service more areas countrywide. ENDS