17 Jul 2024

Local Enterprise Authority (LEA) purchased 15 stalls worth P1 000 each for catering businesses to tap into the business opportunity necessitated by the three-day Softball Extravaganza which started July 13 and ended July 15.

In addition to the stalls, LEA also provided an eating area for their customers, making it convenient for one to buy and comfortably enjoy their meal.

Ms Maitumelo Lerumo, a Business Executive at LEA Phikwe branch explained in an interview that LEA came on board to sponsor the tournament mainly to help support the informal sector tap into the business opportunity provided by the tournament.She said the authority had observed that these businesses were struggling to make profit despite a large following of the tournament because most preferred to buy food from the shops instead of supporting them.

She said the move was well receive because four of those businesses were Chema-Chema programme beneficiaries and were able to make a kill during the three day tournament.

One of the caterers, Ms Keleutwetse Gasebonwe thanked LEA for going all out to create a conducive environment for small businesses to thrive.

“What LEA did came as a surprise, we did not expect it and we are thankful for their unwavering support,” she said.

Ms Gasebonwe thanked sponsors such as BTC and NAPRO for giving caterers aprons to use and providing free internet connection during the tornament, something that worked in their favour.

She was also appreciative of the Chema-chema programme and softball extravaganza which helped push up the town’s economy.

Another caterer, Ms Gaolefufa Mokao from Damochujenaa said the tournament was different from the previous ones in that patrons this time around opted to buy from them because the stalls their were presentable and clean.

She lauded LEA for making it possible for small businesses to thrive and encouraged the authority to continue training and mentoring the informal sector so that they too could graduate to the next level.ENDS