31 May 2018

One’s faltering beginning does not mean an end in itself, but a giant step towards a beautiful and fruitful future.

This is the story of a man who fought against all odds to become an entrepreneur of note.

From his meager income as a driver, the Serowe-born Mr Omphemetse Kgotlaetsile has built his manufacturing empire on camping equipment and become his own boss.

In June 2007, at the age of 30, Mr Kgotlaetsile and his wife Tshenolo opened their company called Silver Sword Investment, trading as Serowe Canvas & Tents.

At that time they only manufactured camping tents, but the company quickly expanded and now it manufactures other items that include rifle bags, police and army water bottle pouches, truck and tourney covers, shower equipment, sleeping bags,  stretchers, camping chairs, marque tents, spanner bags, and many more.

For Mr Kgotlaetsile, it was the beginning of a new dawn of life and the money he saved while he was a driver at Palapye Primary Hospital enabled him to start his company in 2007.

“I saved P1 000 on a monthly basis and this is the money that I used to start this profitable business,” said Mr Kgotlaetsile on the side lines of the just-ended Business Botswana Northern Trade Fair (BBNTF) in Francistwon.

He said it was also a blessing that his wife Tshenolo used to work for a camping equipment company.

He said his main objective when he established the Serowe Canvas &Tents was mainly to attract tourists from in and outside the country with accommodation amenities.

Mr Kgotlaetsile said this was in accordance with the pronouncement by government during NDP 7 and NDP 8 in which it was encouraging people to engage in activities that would improve their lives and create employment for others to ensure economic sustainability.

“Therefore my business is one of the businesses that will battle against lack of jobs in Botswana,” he added proudly.

He explained that his company currently employs eight people from Serowe, five women and three men.

Mr Kgotlaetsile explained further that since its inception, his company had won different tenders in Serowe and Palapye.

“We have supplied camping tents, stretcher beds and camping equipment to Palapye and Serowe councils. We have also supplied truck covers, camping tents, stretcher beds and folding mattresses to the Khama Rhino Sanctuary, Palapye Primary Hospital, Seba Civils, Food Botswana, Ngwato Land Board, Serowe Administration Authority, Palapye Administration Authority and other institutions and the community at large,” he said.

Mr Kgotlaetsile said trade fairs such as the BBNTF were a perfect opportunity and effective channels to access foreign markets and they provided an opportunity to network and market companies and products.

“Trade fairs serve as a specialised marketing tool designed to accelerate relationship building with other competitors in the same market place.

They (trade fairs) try to link buyers, sellers and other stakeholders from common industries,” he added.

Mr Kgotlaetsile explained further that trade fairs were also an effective tool for market research, adding that trade fairs allowed sellers to appeal to all buyers’ senses when showcasing products or services and highlighting competitive advantages.

“The trade fair provides a unique opportunity for direct personal contact critical for building confidence and closing a deal,” added.

Mr Kgotlaetsile also said trade fairs were a perfect platform to introduce new products and services and being able to explain in person what one’s company offers.

Mr Kgotlaetsile said he has created his own Facebook page (serowecanvas&tents), distribution of fliers as well as business cards.

“We have also branded our company vehicle for marketing campaign to make the company image stand out against the background of other messages being imposed by billboards, the internet and television,” he added.

His intention is to turn the company into a billion dollar investment and create more jobs for Batswana. ENDS