29 Mar 2020

Sixty-seven year-old Bazibi Manatsha of Matopi village has appreciated the support she has been receiving  in her leather business.

Manatsha, a beneficiary of poverty eradication program who was assisted with P15 000 in 2016, stated in an interview recently that the overwhelming support she got from Matopi residents had a positive impact on her business.

“Bagaetsho ba nthusa ka matlalo a dipodi le dikgomo a e leng o ne ke a dirisang mo kgwebong yame ya go roka matlalo,” she said in appreciation of the gesture accorded by the residents who had been supplying her with cow hides.

The only problem, she said was unavailability of the chemicals used for tanning leather.

Looking back, Ms Manatsha told BOPA that she was able to use proceeds from her business to turn around her life.

She said she was able to use proceeds from her business to pay school fees for her children, further her studies, build herself a two and a half house as well as diversify her business by procuring an ice-pop making machine. Her products range include shoes, handbags, belts and wallets.

Ms Manatsha’s business has spread its wings as far as Francistown.

The business has created employment opportunities for some of the village youth and her intention is to collaborate with some skilful young people to co-own the business one day.

She applauded government for the empowerment programmes aimed at alleviating poverty and wished the same assistance could be extended to many others.

Those who had not yet benefited from government’s schemes geared towards improved livelihoods, she said should not lose hope but should rather hold on tight to their dreams because they would soon realise them. ENDS