06 Jun 2018

 Mr Freddy Zwebangwe of Freddy Milling said life has not been pleasant since the deficit of rainfall befell the country around 2015.

He said the rain deficit led to a rise in sorghum prices from suppliers, thus denting his business.

Mr Zwebangwe revealed that only his determination to see his aspirations through has ensured that his business survived.

He said his business was coming up well since it started operating in 2009, with about five chain retail store clients under his belt.

Mr Zwebangwe, who hails from Sebina, makes a living through his milling business in Semotswane after being funded by the Youth Development Fund nine years ago in the form of milling machinery.

He said he also used to rely on local small scale farmers, who bring their harvest, especially sorghum grains and maize for milling, adding that he is now experiencing a low turn up from such clients, which together with high prices, have hit his business.

He said this has also affected progress of recovering from a previous financial hitch he said he experienced back in 2012.

The determined businessman said he had a business partner, however they had a fallout and the partner later walked away with a good amount of money acquired from a loan.

Before then, Mr Zwebangwe, said the business was doing great and had a fair number of clients.

He said after realising the promising prospects of his business, he secured a loan from Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency to meet the demand.

Things did not go as expected after the fallout with his partner, which saw the business suffering and losing clients and sometimes he would go a day without even receiving a single customer.

Despite all the challenges, Mr Zwebangwe said he had developed thick skin, revealing that only his determination to see his vision turn into reality keeps him going.

He said his experience working as a miller comes from way back when he used to work for a certain miller.

His dream is to one day own a milling plant, which will allow him to produce a variety of products. He is however optimistic that his perseverance would reap rewards as his business is beginning to show signs of recovery. ENDS