23 Jun 2024

At the helm of his burgeoning auto mechanic business, Metsimotlhabe born, Mr Mpho Mokgatle stands firm amidst the challenging seas of entrepreneurship.

His company, established in 2018, grew out of a passion for mechanics fostered during his Trade B course in Auto mechanics at Botswana College of Engineering and Technology, which he completed in 2017.

 Determined to bring his vision to life, Mr Mokgatle secured funding from the Department of Youth in 2023, after a rigorous application process in 2022.

Even before his formal education in mechanics began, Mr Mokgatle found his spark in the engine of his neighbour’s workshop, where he served as a spanner boy.

“I was fascinated by the workings of automobiles from a young age.” reminisces Mr Mokgatle, “I would watch in awe as my neighbour dismantled and reassembled car parts. I knew then, that this was what I wanted to do with my life.”

While Mr Mokgatle’s scholastic career was unremarkable in its early stages, his passion and natural talent for mechanics blossomed in the Trade B course.  His newfound focus and dedication led to an unprecedented academic performance.

“It was like a switch had been flipped,” Mr Mokgatle shares.  “When I finally had the chance to pursue my passion, everything clicked into place.

Despite having secured the grant and obtained essential equipment for his business, Mr Mokgatle quickly discovered that navigating the competitive and turbulent world of auto mechanics in Mogoditshane was no easy feat.  Dominated by foreign- owned workshops, the market presented him with high rental costs, in part due to the customer demand for secure facilities in the area, which is known to have security issues.

Mr Mokgatle was forced to pay a rental fee of P4 500 per month, a hefty sum for a fledgling business.  Battling such odds, Mr Mokgatle’s entrepreneurial spirit remained undaunted.  Rather than retreat, he decided to face the challenges head-on.  He tapped into his skills and knowledge, honed during his training, to establish a reputation for quality service at reasonable prices, gradually building his client base, one satisfied customer at a time.

“At the beginning it was tough,” Mr Mokgatle confides.  “I had to find a way to compete in a crowded market while still making a profit.”

To combat these challenges, Mr Mokgatle turned adversity into an opportunity he recognised that many of his competitors were running unregistered businesses, he decided to focus on compliance and quality service as his competitive advantage.

“I realised that if I could meet the standards set by the government, I would be able to attract clients that required the highest level of professionalism,” says Mr Mokgatle. “It took time and investment, but it was worth it,” he adds.

In a strategic move, Mr Mokgatle decided to take his business to a new location, seizing on the lower costs offered by a plot near Sir Seretse Khama Barracks (SSKB) Botswana Defense Force (BDF) camp.

“I knew that every little bit of savings would make a difference,” explains Mr Mokgatle  “So, I decided to move part of my operations to this new location while also sharing rental space with my partner, Mr Mkhululi Ndlovu, who specialises in penal beating.  This arrangement not only lowered my expenses but also added another dimension to the services we could offer our clients.

Reflecting on his journey, Mr Mokgatle offers this advice to his fellow youth;

“The key to success is patience,” he says adding that many young people today want instant gratification, but they fail to see the bigger picture.  They want to make quick money without putting in the hard work.

He says in business, patience is one’s most valuable resource.  “It takes time to build a reputation and grow your client base, but if you stay the course and put in the work, you will succeed,” he says.

Mr Ndlovu, Mokgatle’s partner in the business, has nothing but praise for the hardworking entrepreneur.  He says Mokgatle is a breath of fresh air in this industry.

“He is extremely dedicated, and he has a real passion for his work. But most importantly, he is loyal, a rare trait in today’s world,” says Mr Ndlovu.

Mr Mokgatle’s journey, though not an easy one, has proved that determination and patience can overcome even the toughest obstacles.  As he continues to grow his business and develop his skills, he hopes to serve as an inspiration to other young entrepreneurs. ENDS