17 May 2021

Young people in Molepolole are withering the COVID-19 storm by utilising the Youth Development Fund (YDF) to establish their businesses. 

Six youths, three each from the two Molepolole constituencies have ventured into businesses ranging from auto mechanics to bakery and confectionery.

One of the challenges they faced, however, was high rentals, which were exacerbated by lack of business during lockdown.

While government stated that youth owned businesses should be given priority in land allocations, the youths said they had been thrown from pillar to post by land authorities although possessing supporting documents from youth department.

Under the YDF, government offers P100 000 of which half is a grant and  another a loan.

Mr Puisano Ramosabata who runs Agronardo and received funding during the 2018/19 financial year, said he started his business in Molepolole North but due to rental issues, he moved it to Molepolole South.

His business sold agriculture products mainly animal feed and also consultancy to his customers.

He said the number of customers had declined due to COVID-19 challenges and there was no longer interaction. 

Another challenge emanated from the Value Added Tax (VAT) increase and customers complained about high prices, he explained.

While he described his business as profitable, he had not been able to service his loan.

Mr Ramosabata said his dream was to have his own arable land to produce animal feed.

For his part, Mr Letso Busang, who operates a water purification and bottling business, said at the moment they were selling mostly refills since the market for bottled water had plummeted due to restrictions on meetings and workshops.

Another challenge was the source of bottles and stickers increased production costs hence they were unable to compete with other companies especially chain stores.

Ms Kesetse Molokwe who runs and operates a laundry and cleaning services said the P100 000 fund was no longer sustainable due to inflation.

She said most of the funds went to purchasing materials and had to seek additional assistance from her family.

She said her dream was to own a building, but the land board officers told her they were no longer allocating plots in Molepolole.

Another youth, Mr Thuto Kgwalabatho of A12 Motors, has an auto mechanic workshop. 

Mr Kgwalabatho who also received P100 000 said his business had been affected by the lockdowns.

He said he had increased the scope of his business to include painting, tyre services and would soon introduce welding.

However, he said the space he operated on was challenging and his intention was to have his own industrial plot, if only the land board could allocate him one.

He said he initially paid P20 000 as part of his loan and would clear the balance when his business improved.

Ms Oaboloka Tirelo who runs Miz Jay’s Beauty Parlour and Spa in a shopping complex popularly known as Supa Save said her main challenge was lack of water in the village, which forced her to buy from the private companies.

She was also faced with high rentals although the place was small and hence unable to fully offer her services.

Ms Tirelo said she was able to identify a piece of land to develop, but Molepolole Sub-land Board had not been supportive.

Mr Montiredi Otukile of Montiredi Bakery received P99 000 during the 2015/16 financial year and his business had grown over the years. 

He has 14 employees and five delivery vans. Like other YDF beneficiaries, he operated from rental premises, but said he had not approached the land board yet.

Mr Otukile said he supplied two primary schools with bread and described the market as promising as at times he could not keep up with the demand.

The YDF beneficiaries aired their views during a tour by the Assistant Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Culture Development, Mr Buti Billy.

He was accompanied by the MPs from Molepolole North and South, Mr Oabile Regoeng and Mr Kabo Morwaeng respectively as well as the youth officers and district commissioner. ends