14 Aug 2024

In an impressive display of entrepreneurial spirit, a team from Lesilakgokong emerged victorious in the Mindest Change Campaign Community Business Ideathon recently Molepolole.

The team, alongside four others from the Kweneng district, brilliantly pitched commercially viable and self-sustaining business ideas.

Emphasis was for teams to come up with self -sustaining projects in long term without continuous external funding needed.

The Lesilakgokong business idea for a bakery proved to be an impressive winner, setting them apart from their competition before a panel of judges during the business idea pitching event.

The idea is set to benefit the community because of the village’s location away from developed chain stores.

The team’s insightful business concept demonstrated keen understanding of the local market and their commitment to developing a unique product that would set them apart from the competition. By identifying the unmet need for a bakery in their village and the potential for a distinctive product infused with area’s special Mmupudi wild berries, the team showed great entrepreneurial promise.

The team demonstrated their ambition to become synonymous with their signature baked goods that could potentially bring significant attention and tourists to the village, providing economic benefits and potentially inspiring other entrepreneurial initiatives in the district.

The Boatlaname village team’s business concept centered around recycling products, a sustainable solution that not only addressed environmental issues but also had the potential to stimulate economic growth.

By leveraging on recycling, the team aimed to minimise waste in their community, promoting sustainable practices and potentially creating new job opportunities.

This could also lead to the generation of revenue for the village, contributing to the overall economic development of the area.

The team from Mogonono capitalised on the government’s importation ban on vegetables.

The team aims to cultivate a thriving horticulture business in their village, that already has  a  farm and a borehole. They indicated that their project could significantly contribute to local food security, meeting the community’s demand for fresh, locally grown vegetables.

Furthermore, they demonstrated that the venture could potentially lead to economic growth and employment opportunities for the village, spurring further development in the agricultural sector.

The team from Sojwe demonstrated foresight and entrepreneurial acumen by recognizing the untapped potential of the lake close to their village. Their idea focused on developing the lake for tourism activities, creating revenue streams and employment opportunities for the community.

By utilizing the lake for tourism-related activities, such as boat rides, fishing, or swimming, the team hopes to capitalize on the natural resources of their village, drawing in tourists and generating income for the local economy.

This idea not only presented a viable business opportunity, but also promoted sustainable tourism practices that could provide long-term benefits to the community and its environment.

The team from Loologane  showed impressive resourcefulness by identifying the untapped potential of the Morama tree. Abundant in the area, these trees produce flavorful fruits that the team intends to harvest, process, and transform into various value-added products.

Their proposal highlighted the potential of the Morama fruits in creating a sustainable value chain, from harvesting to product development and commercialization.

By turning these locally available resources into products with a wider market appeal, such as coffee, milk, nuts, and oil, the team aims to create long-term employment opportunities and a more resilient local economy.

Twenty teams competed, presenting a range of business ideas that were evaluated based on five key criteria.

The judges assessed the sustainability, relevance to district strengths, impact, innovation, and team collaboration of each proposal.

Each team’s performance in these areas was carefully evaluated, with scores reflecting the quality, feasibility, and potential of their proposed businesses.

The goal was to select the strongest ideas that not only showed promise for financial success, but also demonstrated a commitment to social and environmental responsibility and an ability to effectively work as a team. BOPA