05 Jun 2018

Behind every successful story there is a lesson to be learnt, so the saying goes and Gaborone Technical College (GTC) graduate Ms Gabapelo France of Mokobeng village lives the adage.

The 35-year-old was more than happy to share her journey to success with BOPA.

She says she has always seen people, especially the youth, sitting on their degrees waiting for manna from heaven and in the end they cry about unemployment and just how frustrating it is to obtain funds from youth programmes.

She said hers is a different story, as she built her salon from scratch and did not depend on the funds from government.

Ms France said she has what she has through determination and hard work.

She said she enrolled with GTC in 2006 and did a one-year certificate course in Beauty Therapy and hair dressing, and upon completion, she worked for a salon in Lerala

Then in 2009, she relocated to Maunatlala where she rented a two roomed house and used the other room as a salon.

She recalled that people would come to do their hair at her place and not minding that she used a bucket to wash the hair because they were very much pleased with the service they got and understood that she was still fresh from school.

Ms France said she then saw the need to apply for a commercial plot through Maunatlala sub land board, and in 2011, she was allocated a piece of land to kick start her business.

She explained that the reason she chose to pursue a business in a foreign area is because no one knew her background, hence they would be less judgemental and may not be jealous to support her efforts. As days went by, Ms France said her dream of owning a salon drew closer, adding that with the money made from plaiting and doing people’s hair at home, she was able to invest most of it for bricklaying and her father being a builder, came through for her as she could not afford to engage professional builders.

Ms France said that it is through her sleepless nights, determination and support from the community that her salon, which she named Glair Hair Saloon managed to come to life.

She said her belief that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, gave her the courage to keep on going.  She said even on days when the budget was tight, she still stuck to her goal as she knew that there is a destination to be reached.

In October 2016, France said she got her trading licence and started operating from her salon. Ms France said that business is good as she is not renting hence all the profits go into her business account, adding that she is proud to have done it all on her own, without having to ask for financial assistance.

She proudly announced that all the credit goes to GTC, the institution that cultivated and nourished the talent in her.

Ms France thus encouraged her fellow Batswana to take technical colleges and brigades seriously as they not only teach technical skills but entrepreneurship skills as well, and are more practical.

She noted that the end results of one’s hard work are sweeter and more valuable than that which one benefits through government programmes. ENDS