13 Oct 2019

Ms Kerileng Lebekwe, who hails from Mokatse in the Kgatleng District, is happy her poverty eradication programme project that she acquired in 2014.

Speaking in an interview, Ms Lebekwe, said she received a package for a hair salon and she set up Paradise, which is located in Mokatse, a stone’s throw from Oodi-Modipane road.

She provides hair services to people of Mokatse and surrounding areas from as little as P30 to P150.

Ms Lebekwe said she enjoys engaging with her customers; right from selecting their hairstyle and just general talk about everything.

“I also sell hair pieces and wigs I design. Initially I operated from a room in my house, but the hair salon did so well that in 2016, I was able to construct a 3.5sqm x 4sqm one room business premises where I am currently operating from,” said Ms Lebekwe.

She said she managed to connect electricity, water, fitted a geyser and ceiling.

Despite the proximity of Mokatse to Gaborone and the fierce competition of this sector, she said she managed to compete.

She said she spent P20 and P100 of her proceeds on water and electricity every month.

Ms Lebekwe further said she markets her business through word of mouth, placing posters at bus stops and shops.

Since every business needed to grow, therefore Paradise was no exception.

The enterprising mother said her dream was to open another branch and compete with other well-established brands.

When quizzed on how her business was doing, she said the business normally slowed down in winter and tended to pick up in summer.

“People do long-lasting hairstyles in winter and so do not frequent the salon. Most of my customers are school kids, who normally visit the salon a week before schools re-open, while month end also has more mixed customers,” she said.

Ms Lebekwe said she had diversified her portfolio by selling clothes.

She applauded the poverty eradication programme, saying it has improved her life in many ways. She said she was grateful for the opportunity that government has afforded her and promised to remain committed to this life-altering development.

 

“I have since registered a new business name and will soon be rebranding the hair salon,” she said, further saying the salon business needed a lot of perseverance. ENDS