10 Oct 2013

Most young people are unable to take advantage of available opportunities to build their businesses because they lack perseverance, determination, commitment and discipline.

At times those who were funded to start their businesses abandoned their projects or divert funds elsewhere. However, government and other stakeholders conducted workshops and seminars to sensitise young people about the qualities needed for one to become an entrepreneur.

The youth were also repeatedly trained on available business opportunities and the importance of research and choosing the appropriate enterprise model.

Two young women from Maun had shown that efforts to promote entrepreneurship among the youth were bearing fruit, as they now owned a thriving catering project that they started from humble beginnings.

The two, 25 year old Ms Odirile Gakelona and 21 year old Ms Taboka Puo, started their catering project after benefitting form the poverty eradication programme.

The project opened its doors to the public in February this year. “We are both orphans and we were registered under the destitute program and later given funds to start this project. Before that we worked under the Ipelegeng project,” they said.

Ms Gakelona explained that they learnt about the poverty eradication program during a kgotla meeting and decided to submit a proposal to the Department of Social and Community Development (S&CD).

She said their proposal was approved within a very short period of time, and they were later taken for training where they were equipped with skills and knowledge on catering.

The S&CD department also assisted them with all the necessary equipment and materials. Currently the two have rented out a building from the Village Development Committee (VDC) and their business is now thriving.

“We recently won a tender to cater for attendants at the Chanoga poverty eradication pitso. The market is still stable and the council fully supports us as they give us regular tenders during seminars and meetings.

For example we cater for council employees at Maun Administration Authority,” said Ms Puo. She said their plate is affordable as it sells for only P15, adding that they intend to broaden their services to other government departments and members of the public.

Her colleague, Ms Puo said it is not all smooth sailing as their company faces challenges. She however said they have learned to persevere and turn challenges into opportunities.

“A true entrepreneur needs patience, hard work and commitment, even in the face of challenges. We love our business and we will cherish these principles to make sure that it grows to become a living example for other youth out there,” she said.

She encouraged young entrepreneurs to have patience and avoid quitting at the first sign of problems, but rather seek other avenues and strategies through which they can attain success.

The two business women said their catering company has made a great difference in their lives as they are now able to put bread on the table and take care of their families.

They also encouraged poverty eradication beneficiaries to change their attitude towards work and seek guidance and assistance when ever they face challenges.

For his part, S&CD Chief Development Officer, Mr Uyapo Mafunyi said they are very happy with the way the catering company was performing and commended the duo for their commitment and hard work. “We are working hard to give them market access and exposure,” he said. Ends