01 Nov 2020

Business aspirants need hard work, determination and self-drive to be successful.  

Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Dr Thapelo Matsheka, said this at a youth business meeting in Lobatse on Saturday.

He explained that without smart strategy and positive mindset, business empowerment programmes would not deliver positive results.

“Government has a struggle around trying to address each and every need in the society and we have a multiplicity of programmes that may assist us. But, these programmes cost us a lot of money, so it is important to look at yourselves.

Until you sort out your own position, the programmes will cost us more,” he said.  

The business meeting was organised by Royal Assembly Ministries International.

Pastor Thulaganyo said the objective of the meeting was to share ideas, motivate and inspire young business people in Lobatse.

“It is our mandate as a church to work with different stakeholders to build our community,” he said.

A renowned youth mentor and public speaker, Mr Boago Ramogapi, said the church based its existence on empowering the community.

He said during the missionary times, churches built hospitals and schools. He said modern churches should also play key role in community empowerment.

“Why can’t we restore those days where we empower the people in the community to be the best of themselves, where the church is in the fore-front of moulding people’s behaviours and solving communities and national problems?” he said.

Mr Ramogapi encouraged young people to see challenges in business as stepping stones instead of stumbling block.

He said challenges should not become an excuse for failure.

“You must develop the capacity to function in hardship. You should have an idea of how you want to do business and take responsibility,” he said.

He told them to ask for advice from more experienced entrepreneurs before setting up businesses and also to have development business partnerships for sharing of ideas.

Mr Ramogapi, who was awarded the 2017 Botswana Youth of the Year, said having the right business relationships increases the chances of success.

“A lot of people lack mentoring. They have good ideas, but because they are doing them with limited knowledge, they are not able to go far. Avoidable mistakes can only be avoided when somebody who came before you advices you,” he said. ENDS