07 Nov 2013

Mr Otshepeng Kgositau (29) of Draaihoek in the Kgalagadi District believes God helps people who help themselves and therefore believes this calls for every Motswana to do something for a living and eradicate poverty out of their lives.

He was critical of people who just wait for the government to spoon feed them. Jeff Cellphone Repairs, owned by Mr Kgositau, affirmed his determination. The Draaihoek-born man  laid a foundation of starting this business so that when he wants financial assistance, it will be easier, less costly and convenient.

After completion of his trade test B in auto mechanics at Matsheng Brigade in 2005, he worked at George’s Garage in Gaborone and encountered challenges that compelled him to change careers.

He said the employment shortcomings that he encountered made him realise that his future was at stake. He had to venture into something else because as an auto-mechanic, his earning could only enable him to pay rent, bus fare to work and food – but nothing to save for his future. At his former place of work, Kgaositau met a man called Mpho Mpho who repaired cellphones part time.

He became Mpho’s handy man and grew fond of cellphone repair work to an extent that he moved in with Mpho to learn the skill. Although some people consider cellphone repairs to be absurd and give it little recognition, Kgositau opted for it over auto mechanics because he made more money that way. In 2007, Kgositau relocated to Tsabong to start Jeff Cellphone Repairs after a market research convinced him that with the population and service demand in Tsabong, his business would be profitable.

Jeff Cellphone Repairs started small because finance came from the owners’ savings. Initially, Kgositau repaired seven cellphones daily but productivity increased to 12. He operates from a corrugated sheet steel structure and his tools of the trade include a computer, computer, flash box, cellphone accessories and other steel-made ones.
 He said a business management certificate that he obtained with the help of the Department of Youth helped him to improve performance. Add hard work, perseverance, affordable prices, quality work and service delivery and you have a competitive edge.

However, Jeff Cellphone Repairs is challenged by the distance of his suppliers in Gaborone. He therefore has to pay the buses that bring his raw materials to Tsabong. Other challenges include flash boxes that change every time there is a new range of cell phones and lack of business premises.

“Some people also undermine my business just by judging the building but because I trust my good hands that has made a mark in the market,” he said. “I worry less for I know people tell them not judge my business with its undesirable building and refer them back to me, and they always come back for my services.”

Another trouble is that he must wait for the end of the month to be paid because his customers are salary people who get it at month-ends only. This makes it difficult to buy more raw materials and other business requisites. Kgositau said he believed in the Setswana saying mokuduwa go tsoswa o itekang, meaning that God helps people who help themselves, hence he was working hard to lay foundation for a business that had a promising future.

“I am trying for I know the whole country is affected by the recession and therefore every Motswana needs financial assistance,” he said. “So my desire is that when I get financial assistance, it should not be so much that will inconvenience others to be aided. I also want to borrow a reasonable amount that I will easily pay back so that other Batswana will also be able to get financial help,” he pointed out.

Kgositau said he was looking forward to seeking financial help from empowerment schemes to develop his business as he wanted to meet the standards of bye law and licensing and also to operate in a customer-friendly place. If financed, he intends to sell cellphones also and stock a wide range of cellphone accessories.
His dream is to have his own building in future and to expand his branches countrywide. ENDS