09 Jul 2020

The Director of Rednest Investment, Mr Dikgang Mpharitlhe says one needs to follow some strategic process for their project to succeed.

The 34-year-old, who is in the business of manufacturing poultry equipment for six years now, having started in 2014 with egg incubators and brooder boxes, says constant research results in a successful business.

Mr Mpharitlhe said after  officially registering his company 2017, he further explored his creativity and innovation skills in the manufacturing of layer cages, biltong machines, incubator spares and other general supplies.

Speaking in an interview on Wednesday, he said the company was later funded by the Ministry of Youth, Sports Empowerment and Culture Development to the tune of P94 000 to purchase equipment.

He said relying on research as an entrepreneur gave the business its longevity, good quality products and results, provided that the entrepreneur was passionate about what they do.

Mr Mpharitlhe said for him, venturing into manufacturing of poultry equipment was something he was fervent of, even during his years as a soldier, the journey he cut short to pursue agriculture.

He said his company, which currently had 12 employees and is located at the Local Enterprise Authority (LEA) business incubator site in Francistown, was performing well even after the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He attributes his success to seeing every problem he encounters as an opportunity, which he seizes to earn money and venture into other projects, which in turn permit him to work with more personnel and create employment.

“When Botswana went into lockdown, a friend of mine from China shared information with me and encouraged me to seize the opportunity to produce sanitisers and other equipment, which were in demand,” he said.

Mr Mpharitlhe said he immediately tapped into the prospect, researched further and he was one of the first to supply schools with hand sanitiser stands with foot pedals, citing Setlalekgosi Junior Secondary School as a beneficiary of his expertise.

The Ramotswa-born noted that he did not receive any training on manufacturing, but he just researched and learnt from others.

He, however, advised entrepreneurs to refrain from  copying without attaining thorough knowledge of how they had managed.

He said that copying emanated from lack of passion, adding that after benchmarking one needed to research further to sustain their business.

Mr Mpharitlhe also advised upcoming entrepreneurs to refrain from hiring experts to do business plans for them, as it would only result in their businesses failing in the first stages of operation.

Although Rednest Investment was performing well, Mr Mpharitlhe said that they were faced with a few challenges such as lack skilled personnel due to shortage of vocational schools in Botswana.

He said another challenge was due to the closure of borders, resulting in low production as he sources raw materials from South Africa and Zambia.

Since its inception, the company has been able to bag a few achievements by scooping first position under manufacturing category for Business Botswana Northern Trade Fair in 2017.

The company was also awarded P10 000 for best image in the Business Botswana Northern Trade Fair in 2018.

Mr Mpharitlhe said that he marketed his business through social media platforms and by attending agricultural shows, where he was able to communicate and connect with his clients, being individuals and the government.

He further noted that one of the strategic ways of ensuring a business thrived was for the owner to be hands-on and learn how to identify faults in the business and rectify them promptly.

Mr Mpharitlhe acknowledged government’s efforts in assisting local businesses and urged entrepreneurs to recognise such efforts and actively participate in fending for themselves.

He said it was such unfortunate times as the COVID-19 era that should prompt Batswana to be self-reliant. Ends