21 Sep 2020

While lack of mobility or inability to walk can be frustrating to the point of despair, such did not deter Mr Aaron Simon to pursue  a tapestry business.

The 35-year-old, who depends on crutches for walking, is a living testimony that disability is not inability.

For the Selebi Phikwe based budding businessman, disability is a state of mind and could not succumb to it despite being born in that condition.

“When life gives you lemons you do not complain instead make lemonade, that is why I decided to quit feeling sorry for myself but to face my predicaments head on,” Mr Simon said in an interview.

 He has always been assertive and optimistic that he was going to make it in life.

Mr Simon’s life turned around in 2000 when he attended a  handiwork workshop organised by Phikwe Theatre that gave him the platform to learn his craft.

“I learnt what they called tapestry at the Phikwe Theatre workshop and ran with it.

Today I am making a living from this craft. For that I shall forever be grateful,” said Mr Simon

Some of his creations include decorative tapestry for walls, door mats, rugs and others depending on what a client desires.

Like any other business Mr Simon’s  business also has challenges that include lack of a place to operate from.

Currently he possess a hawkers license and intends to apply for a vendors license that will allow him to setup and display his work.

His decorative products prices range from P400 to P600 or more depending on the size of the piece.

The budding entrepreneur added that his trade was eco-friendly citing that he utilised recyclable materials such as sacks, threads , wools and many more.

He advised people with similar condition as his not to give up on their dreams and be self-assertive adding that they should adopt an optimistic approach towards life.

“Better a live dog than a dead lion,” said Mr Simon

Mr Simon dreams to see his business grow and be able to employ both able and disabled members of his community.

“When BCL mine was operational, I could make satisfactory profits from this business but since the closure of the mine, the town’s economy and the livelihoods of its residents have plunged drastically,” he said.

Mr Simon explained that his craft was not easy to master let alone pursue, saying that it required a lot of patience and persistence, a virtue many lacked.

He also advised young people to believe in themselves and never let anyone tell them otherwise. ENDS