06 Sep 2020

Lack of markets for government funded small scale entrepreneurs such as poverty eradication beneficiaries, is a challenge.

A few years ago, Okavango Sub-district started hosting mini shows as a platform for such people to showcase and sell their products.

The latest one-day mini show was recently held in Shakawe and it brought together beneficiaries from as far as Qangwa and Gudigwa.

Speaking in an interview, principal home economics officer at the sub-district council, Ms Akanyang Tshomane, said the event was meant to give beneficiaries exposure and platform to showcase their goods.

The mini show, Ms Tshomane noted, was aimed at encouraging development of competitive and sustainable business as well as to bring together small scale entrepreneurs to share notes.

She said the sub-district wanted poverty eradication programme’s beneficiaries to grow in business.

Furthermore, Ms Tshomane said most of the projects operated in backyards, which made it difficult for them to be recognised, hence the mini shows.

Projects such as basketry, weaving, sewing and carpentry were showcased. 

Meanwhile, the mini-show also attracted individuals, who were not government funded.

One such was Ms Marina Maseko of Delta Embroidery in Shakawe, who took advantage of the mini show to market her self-sponsored business.

Delta Embroidery designs logos, printing of t-shirts, bottles and cups, among other things.

Ms Maseko said her main market was Shakawe Senior School uniforms logos. Ends