12 Jun 2018

A young entrepreneur, Ms Nametsegang Ntebele, who earns a living by operating a glass shop at Good Hope, says government is playing an important role in uplifting the lives of the youths.

Ms Ntebele, who hails from Kanye, commended government efforts to diversify the economy from relying on diamonds by supporting and empowering local businesses to create employment and help stimulate the economy.

She said her business, Superior Glass Shop, which specialises in selling and fitting glasses for individual homes and businesses was funded by the Department of Gender Affairs in 2016 with over P98, 000. She said she used the money to buy stock and functionalise the project.

Ms Ntebele, who is also the director of Superior Glass Shop, completed her diploma in business marketing at ABM University. She said her business was inspired by her dream of owning a house built out of glass material, and that she was keen to know more about glasses, hence starting a glass business.

Ms Ntebele also noted that she wanted to diversify and be unique from other funded youths by venturing into the glass industry, and take head on challenges of the male dominated business.

She stated that during her first year of business she faced a lot of challenges such as penetrating the limited market, but said she has conquered the challenges and looks forward to better days ahead as she was now at break-even.

Ms Ntebele said the main challenge was unreliable clients who placed orders and failed to collect and pay for ordered goods whilst others provided inaccurate measurements resulting in waste because of returns. She also stated that at times suppliers failed to deliver on time.

She said she managed to fend off competition by robust advertising strategies which her competitors were unable to match. She has since expanded her services to other places such as Borolong, Lobatse, Kanye, Molepolole, Thamaga and Gaborone.

Ms Ntebele said a business needs mentorship to guide the owner on the proper business model. She said she was mentored by Mr Katlo Baitshoki, who is currently doing his master’s of business administration in India. He also has a high diploma in agricultural education and BSC agricultural economics.

She urged the youth to utilise government programmes and operate successful businesses to sustain livelihoods and create employment for others. She said they should work hard for the success of their businesses. ENDS