12 Jun 2019

Despite the economic challenges due to the closure of the BCL mine, Selebi Phikwe Economic Diversification Unit (SPEDU) continues to explore business avenues to create job opportunities for Selebi Phikwe residents.

The closure of the BCL mine in 2016 did not only result in job losses, but also affected other economic sectors, which were reliant on the mine, hence some closed down, which further compounded the unemployment problem.

The government through SPEDU, has come up with a number of initiatives to stimulate economic growth and diversification of the regional economy.

One of the economic sectors identified is manufacturing, which is envisaged to help create employment in the region, hence companies such as OS Building with the support of SPEDU set base in Selebi Phikwe.

“The closure of BCL mine seriously affected the buying power of Phikwe residents, resulting in many companies relocating to other areas, but I took the risk to invest in this town despite the challenge, says the managing director of OS Building Mr Segaetsho Garekwe.

The SPEDU facilitated company is a 100 per cent citizen owned and trades under the brand Fibre Man.

The company specialises in fibre glass bath tubs, pit latrine seats, fun slides, swimming pools, cattle troughs, water tanks and other products.

The company imports fibre glass and other products from South Africa and currently has a staff complement of 10 and manufactures 20 bath tubs per day on one shift with a market in Gaborone and other areas in the country.

“The target is not to supply Phikwe only, we have customers as far as Gaborone and Francistown,” says Mr Garekwe.

However, the plan is not only to supply local stores, but to spread wings to neighbouring countries, which compels the company to look for a bigger space to increase production.

“We want to go up to 50 bath tubs a day on one shift, therefore plans are underway to increase production and staff,” he said.

Mr Garekwe says he learnt the skill of making tubs from one man from Sri Lanka, adding that fibre glass is more advantageous than other materials as it does not rust and keeps the water clean.

It is also lighter and repairable.

“Phikwe is fine, if we could open our minds and think of other business avenues other than the closed BCL mine we will get there,” he said and encouraged other companies to set up in Selebi Phikwe and establish their market within and outside the SPEDU region.

Another SPEDU-facilitated company is Alligiant - a water producing company, which trades under the name FresH2Go.

The P1.8m CEDA-funded company is also located at Selebi Phikwe Industrial Site, with a staff complement of nine employees.

The 100 per cent citizen owned company started operations in 2017 and produces 1 500 bottles per day.

The company’s managing director, Mr Peter Hughes informed the media that as Selebi Phikwe did not have much purchasing power due to the closure of the BCL Mine, his company also supplied water to other parts of the SPEDU region such as Bobonong and the Tuli Block.

FresH2Go water, which comes in different sizes, 500ml, 1.5L and 5L is also distributed to the central and northern parts of the country.

Just like other local investors, Mr Hughes is driving his goal despite the struggling Selebi Phikwe economy and would like to see his product penetrating the market in other parts of the country. ENDS