08 Jul 2020

While some entrepreneurs continue to feel the pinch of COVID-19 pandemic, some have bounced back and proved that the difficulties they experienced were but a stepping stone to success.

One such entrepreneur is Mr Othusitswe Kenalemang of Sepopa in the Okavango district.

He did not let the effects of the pandemic dampen his spirits because he believed that he had what it takes to make it in business.

The 42-year-old operates a tuck shop that specialises in catering services, situated right in the heart of Shakawe - the central business District (CBD) of Okavango.

His business experiences an influx of customers every day for both breakfast and lunch, where he spoils his clients with serobe (tripe) magwinya, barbeque sausages, while for lunch he specialises in traditional food including fried fish, seswaa and for those who do not like traditional cuisine, there is rice, fried chicken and beef stew.

In an interview, Mr Kenalemang, who opened the tuck shop last September after he left his job as a chef at one of the local lodges, admitted that the pandemic had paralysed many businesses, including catering services.

He however stated that he stood the test because he believed that nothing was impossible in life if one puts their mind to it, adding that although the business was not thriving as it used to, he still enjoyed a large customer base.

He said his clientele was mostly government and parastatal organisation employees as well as individuals.

Mr Kenalemang explained that the majority of the villagers preferred eating at his tuck shop because of his good etiquette and excellent customer service.

“I don’t use ordinary cooking oil,  but I use Olive oil and I do not cook fancy food because I cater for all people, including those suffering from high and low blood pressure,” he added.

After the lifting of the extreme social distancing two months back, Mr Kenalemang said he reopened his business with high hopes that it would recover with time.

Just like any other business, he put in place COVID-19 protocols and appreciated that his customers were cooperative in observing them.

Mr Kenalemang said only three restaurants had been licensed to operate in Shakawe, but currently only one was operational, which is good for the tuck shop.

Prior to operating the tuck shop, he ventured into a horticulture project, which is reported to be doing well.

He said he was funded to the tune of P90 000 through the Youth Development Fund to start the project at Kajaja in 2014 and later he relocated to Samochima, some 10 kilometres away from  Shakakwe.

The reason for relocation, he said was due to the drying of the river as he sourced water from it to water his vegetables, which inclusded cabbage, spinach, rape, green pepper and onions.

Mr Kenalemang said his horticulture project was a blessing to many business owners in Shakawe as they struggled to find fresh vegetables.

“Market is not a challenge as I supply supermarkets, individuals and the council has engaged me to supply Nxamasera Primary School with vegetables for a year,” he added. Ends