25 Jun 2026

Mornings in Semotswane are quiet until Ms Julia Sebele-Molalapata opens her loft. 

The silence breaks with a spread of wings. White doves catch the sun, flying beautifully above.

For a few seconds an incredible scene is created. That is the business.

Ms Sebele-Molalapata has ventured into a dove-release business. The idea stemmed from her love for birds and she turned it into reality in 2022. She named it Jay Seb Dove for Rent.

“I have always had a connection with birds, holding a beautiful dove she named Trump.

When you release doves, something shifts. It is beautiful, and it sets the event apart,” she said.

Her dove-release business, which she operates from the small village of Semotswane, entails renting out her doves for weddings, funerals, graduations and unveilings. In fact, for any gathering that needs a moment to lift, she is the plug.

“Clients are not paying for birds. They are paying for the beautiful moment when wings take the light, rise as one and vanish into the sky. People love the idea of seeing doves fly into the sky as they get released. It is beautiful and sets the event apart” she added.

Doves symbolise a number of things to people. To some they point to peace and hope, and to others they symbolise a divine connection as they are associated with Holy Spirit, protection, guidance, new beginnings and renewal. “The doves acts as a guardian, reminding you to trust your intuition. During weddings, the release represents the couple starting a new chapter together with hope for peace and good fortune. People normally release doves during burial to let go of the soul of their loved one. 

During tombstone unveiling the doves may offer reassurance of the love and bond once shared with the departed,” she said.

Nonetheless, the work behind that moment is unglamorous as doves are sensitive. They need clean lofts, strict feeding times and handling that cannot be rushed.

Ms Sebele-Molalapata trains them from the time they are young, to make them familiar with their environment.

“This is to ensure that they are pretty sure with where they belong, so that they return well without getting lost,” she explained. 

This business, Ms Sebele-Molalapata believes to be one of the best that one can venture into it, especially women as they are quite patient.

Ms Sebele-Molalapata believes location plays a vital role in whether or not the dove-release business is profitable.

“It is a good business; however, it depends on the location you are at. As for me here, I can get bookings but not as often as those in locations like Gaborone, where bookings are plenty,” she remarked.

Despite some challenges such as some doves not returning home or getting preyed on by eagles, Ms Sebele-Molalapata is not discouraged. Passion, patience and perseverance, she says, will carry the business and see it through.

Ms Sebele-Molalapata has both varieties of doves being Racers and Homers. As for Racers,they are fast birds with stamina and can fly within a 1 000-kilometre range and still find their way back. The homers on the other hand can go far but not as fast as Racers and can only cover short distances at a time.

For now, the entrepreneur keeps to the routine. She trains, feeds, loads baskets and drives to events. She lifts the lid. The birds fly off. She looks up with everyone else, then waits.

When she gets home, she finds them home. ends