06 Aug 2018

 Some young people cannot stop smiling as they have taken advantage of government initiatives to tackle poverty and unemployment.

With their dreams of being employed shuttered by the current reality of scarcity, some youth have turned inward to put food on the table.

Born 34-years-ago, Mr Ontuetse Kenosi of Lesanja Tyre Puncture situated at Roadway Filling Station near Letlhakeng Police Station is one of those who did not let the situation defeat them, but applied for the Youth Development Fund (YDF) and was lucky to get assistance.

Mr Kenosi is also one of the beneficiaries whose business is still running in his village.

Speaking in an interview, he said his business dates back to 2009 when he was self-funded and used to offer manual tyre services.

He revealed that he has always had keen interest in the tyre business from a young age after seeing it being done in garages in Molepolole and Gaborone. 

“After spending many years at home unemployed after failing my junior certificate, I then decided to start working on a long-time dream. Then I asked for money from my parents to help me fund my workshop at its foundation stage,” he said.

Mr Kenosi said he did not work in any tyre workshop prior to opening his own, but developed the skill by just watching how others did it, adding that he even managed to teach others after realising he was able to master it.

He was funded by YDF in 2014 to the tune of P94 000 and used the money to buy a tyre changer, wheel balancer and compressor machine. “The business is doing well and currently I have been offered a contract by Letlhakeng sub-council to render my services to them, even individuals make use of my services,” he said.

Mr Kenosi said after realising that more work came his way, he decide to expand his workforce and employed two young people to help him. 

He is happy to have contributed to the reduction of the country’s unemployment.

The business-minded young man says every business can have its own triumph story as long as the owner is determined to reach target goals, adding that patience and self-motivation are key factors to success. 

He is optimistic that with hard work, determination and respect for  his clientele, he is on the right path of mounting the ladder of success.

“I am very good with keeping financial records because I want to know my losses or profits, more especially that one has to be consistent and make progress, to make returns and pay back half the funding which is a loan,” he said.He said since there would always be dark days, one should be in a state to cope well and not let that discourage him from making his dream come true.

Mr Kenosi explained that even though business returns were satisfactory, he was faced with challenges such as high rentals and that the space was too small to accommodate all his machines. 

He has called on other government departments to stop getting services elsewhere, saying YDF beneficiaries should be awarded at least 50 per cent of government tenders as a way of empowering their businesses. 

The self-taught entrepreneur said his desire was to operate at his own commercial plot, which was more spacious and could accommodate all his machines.

He is optimistic that upon attaining his title deed, he will be able to expand his business and offer other related services. ENDS