28 Apr 2019

About seventy aspiring and small entrepreneurs have completed an entrepreneurship training which aims to empower them to grow their businesses.

The five-day training was organised by SKL Group of Camps in collaboration with Local Enterprise Authority (LEA) and participants were equipped with information on areas such as how to start a business, business plan and preparation, planning for growth, business opportunities and access to finance and market among others.

SKL company is a citizen-owned business that has four main camp areas within the major game reserve and it also operates Crocodile Camp Safari and Spar in Maun.

As part of their social outreach programme, the management of the company decided to give back to the community more effectively by empowering them to thrive in the business industry so that they  could become significant contributors of the economy.

Giving a motivational message, SKL Company chief executive officer, Mr Reaboka Mbulawa urged entrepreneurs to be patient and focused in order to succeed noting that business needed commitment, perseverance and hard work.

He said well-established business owners were not born business persons but they had dreams and goals which they followed until they achieved them.

He advised small entrepreneurs to sacrifice, calculate risks and do a market survey to see the viability of their businesses noting that starting a business was not an easy task.

He said some came from poor family backgrounds citing himself.

“I started small and grew with time until I reached where I am today. I urge you not to give up in every business idea you have, just push forward and your efforts will be paid off at the end,” he added.

Mr Mbulawa said business needed the owner to be the driver because it had ups and downs, emphasising  that financial discipline was also an important element.

In business, he said it was always about winning or losing hence one had to be strong and face the challenges as they come and turn them into opportunities.

He also emphasized team work, saying  other members of the team could offer expertise while some had resources.

Mr Mbulawa who is also a specially elected councilor appreciated efforts by the informal sector in Ngamiland and wished informal sector could be planned for like in other districts such as Chobe.

He said there were many open spaces in Maun which could be developed to cater for the informal sector.

He said they wanted to see businesses graduating from informal to formal sector and creating employment opportunities for others.

He informed small entrepreneurs that they were the future of Ngamiland district hence the need to keep steady and show commitment, encouraging them not to undermine the role their businesses played in the local economy.  

For their part, small entrepreneurs appreciated efforts by LEA and SKL saying the training was an eye-opener as they had learnt many things which could help transform their businesses.’

Some stated that business plans, access to finances and securing land had been a hindrance to pursuing their dreams. ENDS