25 Jun 2019

Kanye based Citizen Entrepreneurship Development Agency (CEDA) branch manager, Ms Ogaufi Tafa has encouraged the owner of Saverite supermarket in Ntlhantlhe to work hard.

Officially opening CEDA funded shop in Ntlhantlhe, Ms Tafa said success in business required patience and hard work.

She commended the owner, Mr Jacob Keorapetse for his ambition and taking a bold step towards financial freedom.

Through the business, she said the owner would without doubt leave a legacy for generations to come.

A representative from Eureka Gaborone, Mr Smarts Sebele shared that his company assisted Batswana who wanted to own and manage Saverite supermarkets.

He revealed that there were currently 57 Saverite stores across the country, owned and managed by Batswana with a total of 1 200 employees.

He encouraged the residents to utilise the store and derive maximum benefit from its presence in the village.

For his part, Kgosi Malepa Orekeng of Ntlhantlhe was happy that the shop brought goods and services closer to his subjects and gave his village a facelift.

He said residents used to travel long distances to purchase necessities from nearby towns.

“We had challenges preparing for June 16 commemoration, people had to travel long distances to nearby towns for logistics,” he said.

He said the shop would cater for Ntlhantlhe and such areas as Mogobane, Lekgolobotlo, and Magotlhwane and create employment opportunities for the residents.

Area councillor, Mr John Taolo was happy that the shop would create employment for residents.

Mr Taolo also stressed that running a business was not an easy task, thus he encouraged the owner to work hard.

He also advised the employees to work hard and make the venture productive.

Co-owner, Ms Keamogetse Keorapetse, conceded that their journey was not a smooth sailing.

“It was a long, difficult journey for us, at some point we almost lost hope, but with God we made it,” she explained.

Ms Keorapetse thanked Eureka staff, the elders of Ntlhantlhe, the suppliers and everybody who gave them support. ENDS