21 Jul 2020

Chipmas Guesthouse director, Ms Chipo Masalila, says a wage subsidy will come handy for businesses that are still not allowed to operate.

Ms Masalila said business people, who operated tent hiring and events-décor companies like her, were hit-hard because gatherings such as weddings, were still on hold due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

She said an extension of the  wage subsidy would be more helpful in paying workers and averting retrenchments.

She appreciated government’s assistance for the previous three months.

Ms Masalila thanked government for support in funding young Batswana to start businesses.

She said  when growing up, she loved keeping her room clean and also helped around with house chores that later made her develop an interest in tourism and hospitality business.

In 2017, she registered Chipmas Guesthouse and was later funded with about P100 000 by the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Culture Development to acquire more material for the business.

Ms Masalila said although some might get discouraged by the long process of acquiring start-up capital, she was patient and had love to see her business succeed. Another reason why her proposal was a success, she said, was because she did not take advice from officials as impediments, but rather a guide to help her with better planning for the operation of Chipmas.

She advised those awaiting response to take into consideration advice from officials.

“Good things do not come off easy, but with patience and the love for what you want to pursue, one is set to make it,” adding that by having such qualities it would put one in the right manner to stand challenges that came with running a business.

Ms Masalila said due to COVID-19 pandemic, her business was not performing well and suspension of their operations had also affected the bond between them and customers.

“Before coronavirus, we had clients who paid deposits so we can offer décor for their celebrations, but as per new regulations, there are no refunds.

Now celebrations are on hold and some of our clients want their money back which we do not have as we often invest more to the business with the deposits,” she said.

She added that even some banks were not willing to understand and still demanded servicing of loans, ‘hence pleading with government to soothe the situation between us and the banks until we are able to up and running again’.

However, Ms Masalila said that she was patient enough not to quit but was also looking at other ways on how she could make ends meet, adding that she was also selling vegetables around the city.

Ms Masalila said running a business would not make one a millionaire over night and new ones should be prepared to spend and invest more into the business to gain recognition and be competitive.

She appealed to Batswana not to despair of current hardships, but should support government in fighting COVID-19 by adhering to set protocols. ENDS