21 Mar 2019

Patience and commitment are the philosophies that ushered in and kept Mr Edwin Selepe in the glass supply and fitting business despite its ups and downs.

Narrating his story, the 62-year-old former driver at Good Hope sub-Council, said he started his business in 2007 under the name Super Glasses.

“The idea all started after realising that infrastructure development was growing in Good Hope and surrounding areas,” he said. 

He said he acquired the skills of glass cutting and handling at Glazing Botswana where he worked as an attaché from 1998 to 1999.

Operating from his homestead, Mr Selepe funded the business from his pocket, and he purchased a glass cutting machine and glass sheets. 

He said the scope of his business included the supply and fitting of windows, door and mirror glasses, which were cut to specifications of the client. He said without much business acumen, three years down the line, he was still not making much profit and at times he was left with zero profit, but he persevered.

Mr Selepe said he had to be smart, that even though he did not make a profit, he had to ensure there was money to purchase stock.

“In business you do not have to aim for instant results, but establish and lay a foundation first, after that everything will fall into place,” he said.

Driven by the zeal and quest to build an empire, he said in 2010, after five years of service, he took a brave decision to retire from his job so that he could pursue his dream to full potential.

The same year, he was financed to the tune of P30 000 by the Department of Gender Affairs and the business took a leap.

“With the expertise in glass cutting and handling, I did knowledge transfer by training four people, who are now my employees,” he said.

Despite being the owner of the business, Mr Selepe said he was also hands on because he believed that it was vital to have first-hand information about the daily operations of the business.

He said the business targets people of Good Hope and surrounding areas and gradually, it has built an impressive customer base.

He said to retain customers, he ensured that quality was not compromised and customer care was fully practised. 

“I receive orders from clients from far away, which means that my service is excellent,” he said.

Mr Selepe said he distinguished himself through the fitting category, as his competitors only supplied while customers prefered supply and fitting to cut costs.

He said to reach out to his clientele he used advertising cards, and he was planning to catch up with modern ways of advertising.

He said he recently rented space at Mmathethe for his operations as a way of expanding the business.  He cited transportation as one of his biggest challenges, as his suppliers of stock charged for delivery and sometimes inflated charges.

Since business is growing, he said he was planning to venture into glass recycling, which has proven to be lucrative.

“I want to purchase a recycling machine so that the waste generated from my workshop can be re-used to produce glass goods, while at the same time contributing to a clean and friendly environment,” he said.

Mr Selepe said he had applied for a commercial plot and intends to build a workshop, and in the future be a supplier for the area. He further said he has diversified his business by infusing building and construction to augment the current business. 

He has also just recently graduated from the poverty eradication programme, and was awarded a certificate of achievement. ENDS