17 Dec 2020

Perseverance and dedication have paid for Mr Otaabona Mokwena who  operates a canvas making business in Maun.

Mr Mokwena who was born in Nokaneng village in the North West district 36-years ago is the epitome of hard work.

Through savings from his business, Mr Mokwena has managed to buy a plot worth over P200 000 this year to address his challenge of lack of operation space after he acquired machines that make canvas and remodel Safari vehicles worth about P150 000 in the past years.

He hopes the business plot would help his plans to fall into place. Mr Mokwena is yet to approach Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA) to build him a warehouse where he can operate both his canvas business and his welding business of converting Safari vehicles.

He said in an interview that lack of land had been a major challenge as he was at some point sent around from the department of youth, land board and council offices seeking to be assisted with land until this year when he used his savings to purchase land, taking into account that he was past the age of youth.

Mr Mokwena makes canvas products in a separate room he has erected at his home in Disananeng ward but unfortunately can not do the welding business since operating  such a business in a homestead is not permissible.

He said he was optimistic that CEDA would facilitate his loan application.

“CEDA employees have been very helpful to me over the years with positive advice, I encourage other business people to take note of encouragement given and not to be discouraged when one is not funded,” he said.

Mr Mokwena said he was also grateful for the assistance he received from the office of the Senior Assistant Council Secretary at Maun Administration Authority.

He said it was through the advice of the office that he was able to register a trading license and a hawker’s license so as to start operating from home as well as to erect a stall where he sold his products at Maun Old Mall.

According to Mr Mokwena, venturing into the canvas making business was not easy especially that there was nowhere that canvas making training was offered.

It was by sheer luck that Mr Mokwena witnessed canvas making and developed interest in it when a company that specialised in Canvas was temporarily engaged by Wilderness Safaris where he worked in 2008 to repair canvas tents and other products.

He then resigned from Wilderness Safaris in 2009 and joined Ngamiland Adventures at Jacana Camp near Jao still working as a general assistant.

He said it was at Jacana Camp that he crossed paths with his acquaintance who was skillful in canvas making.

The acquaintance gave Mr Mokwena lessons on canvas making and encouraged him to venture into canvas business.

He then resigned from his job with the aim to focus on canvas making.

Through his savings and severance benefits, Mr Mokwena said he was able to buy his first sewing machine worth about P4 700.

He reminisced that his friend assisted him to make 40 bags using canvas for a start after resigning from his job. The bags, he said were sold out but he still felt he needed to acquire more skill in canvas making.

Mr Mokwena explained that he then decided to volunteer at Canvas Zone Company that specialised in canvas between 2011 and mid-year 2012 focusing on canvas repairs and used his spare time to train at home making school bags.

He left the job training for a job at Bushways Safaris in 2012 where he was the only employee who did camping equipment, repairs and car rooftops. He said the job therefore challenged him to learn fast to perfect his skills.

In 2013 he resigned from Bushways Safaris to focus on his sole proprietorship in canvas making.

He made custom made products for his clients which he said was not a challenge since most customers brought samples.

“Fortunately, people brought samples and all I did was to do measurements and join,” he said.

He said he then decided to train his brother in canvas making who later assisted him in the business.

In 2014 Mr Mokwena felt he needed to buy extra machines but since he felt he was not making enough money he decided to look for employment.

He was then employed by Sanctuary Retreats Safaris where he worked until 2018.

In 2018 he resigned from the job and managed to buy the machines for sewing and convention of Safari vehicles.

He said the second aspect of his business of welding of convention of Safari vehicles was inspired by the need to expand his business.

Mr Mokwena said his biggest customers were Safari companies followed by government and individuals, adding that his business was able to relied on individuals during lock down.

On the remodeling of vehicles, he said he engaged welders to help do the job. Mr Mokwena said his aim was to empower young orphans in canvas making through the office of the Social and Community Development who would in turn establish  a company that could sustain them. ENDs