30 May 2022

Taking time before making business decisions is critical for the success of any enterprise. A Khakhea farmer Ms Seabelo Kgaodi, said this during a poverty eradication market day held in the village recently. She likened the eagerness of some entrepreneurs to 'eat' profits to chasing a hen with a pan each time it lays an egg.

“With that attitude your hen will never multiply because you are not exercising patience and ultimately it will die leaving you with nothing for the future,” said Ms Kgaodi.

Another speaker, Mega Mining chief executive officer, Ms Tshepiso Mopipi also advised business owners who attended the market day that without patience, businesses would hardly grow.

“Most people would wrap up their businesses when customers do not come, but the key point is to not lose patience. You must also have love for your business and I promise you that this will ultimately pay dividends,” she said.

Ms Mopipi chastised those who always abandoned their businesses at the first sight of a challenge, saying that showed lack of passion.

“In my case, I consider myself successful to this point because I have a lot of passion for what I do. I never hesitate to come back to the business even late at night when my clients need my services; and is part of the reason I am where I am today,” she said.

Botswana Institute of Rehabilitation and Reintegration of Offenders (BIRRO) coordinator Mr Mothei Sejakgomo encouraged everyone to report criminal activities as they could destroy businesses. 

He also urged the youth to desist from criminal activities saying crime was addictive.

Gender officer Ms Jessica Mobita decried Gender Based Violence saying women especially were abused to the point of closing their businnesses.

“Some businesses are such that you may be forced to assist or receive business related calls even at odd hours, and imagine if you have an insecure partner who is abusive... you will not be able to assist your customers,” she said.

Principal community development officer, Ms Onalenna Kaboeamodimo said the market day, which was organised under the theme; The Rise of All After COVID-19, was aimed at re-building hope.

Ms Kaboeamodimo added that the event was also meant to equip small business people with skills that would prepare them for other potential pandemics.

She advised small business owners to support one another in order to grow, especially that they had common challenges. The market day was attended mostly by beneficiaries of projects funded under the S&CD. Ends