10 Jul 2018

Managing director of Agri sales Botswana, Mr Gobusamang Rampa says saving is the main crucial step to consider when growing a business.

He said this during the Kgatleng District Council Social and Community Development mini show held under the theme; Self-reliance: a Pathway to Sustainable Communities at Ramonaka recently.

Mr Rampa said most businesses nationwide collapse due to financial constraints caused by owners not managing their money well.

He said it was common to find Batswana spending their profits on personal matters instead of building their brands for the future.

Mr Rampa said businesses collapse to become stagnant due to spending unavailable money in unnecessary things.

He said saving and spending money wisely would allow the business to blossom.  

He however encouraged every business owner to do likewise.

Mr Rampa encouraged business owners and those willing to follow their dreams to never underestimate small beginnings as they counted for so much more.

He said believing in one’s idea and putting it into practice actually brings businesses to life.

He said one’s future and security lies in their skills and how best they put them to good use.

Participants were encouraged not to sit on their dreams as they were the only ones who could bring them to live.

Appreciating the event, Kgatleng District Council chairperson and also Boseja Central Councillor, Mr Mpho Morolong thanked the beneficiaries of nyeletso lehuma programme for starting their business and doing well as they helped the council.

He said if it was not for the programme, the small business owners would be under the council social workers control and the council would be taking care of them.

He said time had come for the council to create a station for small entrepreneurs to market their services and grow.

Mr Morolong said they were grateful that the beneficiaries were producing good results and encouraged them to continue even in the midst of challenges.

He encouraged participants to be independent and not to depend on others.

Principal Home Economics officer, Ms Boitumelo Pule said the mini show aimed to instill a sense of self-reliance among skilled individuals in the community by teaching and sharing ideas with others on how to market and sell their products.

She said they also wanted to establish a working relationship among micro entrepreneurs in Kgatleng as they had seen the need for entrepreneurs to help one another grow.

Ms Pule also encouraged a healthy competition between micro entrepreneurs in Kgatleng and advised them to avoid coming up with businesses that were already in existence as that could lead to the closure of their businesses.

A beneficiary of nyeletso lehuma programme, Ms Renoldah Seloiso thanked the council for the programme as it helped her to provide for her family.

She said she had built a house and also took care of them with the money she made from her beading business.

“I am forever grateful for the programme as I have learnt a lot from the bead work school,” she said.  

Ms Seloiso has also started another business of selling chickens to boost her earnings.

Councilor for Ramonaka and Mmathubudukwane, Mr Seoke Seoke thanked the people for coming in large numbers and bringing their products.

He also advised participants that money should be saved for the running of the business and not used on unnecessary things.

He encouraged those interested in starting their businesses to be encouraged and take first steps until they make it. ENDS