13 Jun 2018

Living with disability is a haunting experience that can deprive one opportunities to prosper in life, but for Mr Sekwena Dikhutso, through government  efforts to make the disabled inclusive in their programmes, this discarded the obscurity to his prosperity.

In an interview, Mr Dikhutso, who is a beneficiary of the Poverty Eradication Programme, said he now prides himself in the art of leather works business, and he is now living a dignified life like any able person.

The 41-year-old narrates that after being trained in two-year leather works courses in Maun Rehabilitation Centre from 2000 to 2002, then in 2012 he was funded with P15 000 to kick-start his business.

He said he went for a refresher course in Molepolole where he pursued leather tannery in goat skin, and that at the time he specialised in crafting bags.

This leather goods maker never ceases to amaze because in doing his designs of bags he does not to script a pattern but just takes his tools and get hands on.

Despite his speciality being  making bags he did not confine himself to that product as he also crafts shoes, belts and knifes, cellphones and money wallets.

The unique leather goods maker said the passion for leather works started at a tender age as he emulated a herd man  who used to work at his grandfather cattle’s post who he  was immensely proud of.

He said the secrecy of his business to thrive was that upon being chosen to be trained he instilled that the job was meant for him and that his blue collar job was equivalent to white collar job.

“Everyday at sunset when I wake up I am hands on regardless of the business that day,” he said. Mr Dikhutso, who is going sole in his business, said his wish was to develop a partnership with some people who shared the same business interest.

“I have approached some people who showed an interest in venturing into this business and advised them to seek for help through the poverty eradication scheme and I am hopeful that this will bear fruit,” he said.

He said he has made an observation that people feared to partner with others because of finances when business was flourishing, but that the solution to the problem was to engage an accountant to manage the finances as well as business management advisors

Mr Dikhutso said his main challenge was expensive leather which he uses.

“If I was not a patient person my business could have collapsed because I love my job with the less money I have I would rather starve and buy stock,” he attest.

He said his earnings were made from selling goods to local people in surrounding villages as well as when he attended some shows at towns.

“Through my business a traceable mark can be seen because I am now able to take care of myself, I  have  been able to able to purchase some goats,” he said.

He said he has attended several shows and managed to scoop awards in monetary form, and  in 2016  he won an electric leather crafting machine at the international trade fair  which was an achievement to him. 

Even though he is not conversant in operating the machine he is hopeful that he will be trained on how the machine works.

He further said it would be a major boost to his business because it would speed the production of his goods..ENDS