29 Jul 2026

Mr Samson Modisaotsile, a 32-year-old from Bobonong now based full-time in Palapye, has built a reputable welding and aluminium business.

Mr Modisaotsile battled unemployment for a very long time, finding comfort in selling tomatoes and trying everything he could to survive.  One day, while selling tomatoes on the street, his uncle who ran a welding business in Francistown specialising in car trailers, invited him to come learn the trade.

After years of learning from his uncle, Mr Modisaotsile was encouraged to relocate to Palapye to start his own venture.

He moved there in 2014, using all his savings to buy the tools needed to launch the business successfully.

That is when he started his company, General Trade and Manufacturing Supplies. Explaining the name, Mr Modisaotsile said the sky is the limit, and he did not want to restrict himself by specialising in just one trade.

“Not specialising in one business means more security, more learning, and more chances to grow. Have two to three related skills so when one is down, the others can carry you,” he explained.

Determined to succeed, Mr Modisaotsile joined a Zion Christian Church (ZCC) affiliated chamber of commerce that helped members learn about entrepreneurship and business growth.  That is where he discovered organisations such as the Local Enterprise Authority (LEA) and the Youth Development Fund.  He submitted a business proposal, attended interviews, and successfully received funding.

“I was successfully funded P100,000 and I expanded my business,” he said.

Mr Modisaotsile, now runs a blooming enterprise with 10 employees, three administrative officers and seven welders.

They no longer focus solely on trailers, having expanded into making aluminium windows and doors, sliding gates, carports, and burglar bars, among other products. “I can confidently tell you that we deliver everywhere in the country, and we recently delivered as far as Shakawe,” he noted.

When sharing his challenges, he said that the lack of specialised welding supply shops in Palapye forces him to travel regularly to Gaborone and Francistown.

He also noted that welding materials are very expensive from suppliers, which makes his own products costly to price in order to make a profit.  Because of the high costs, he plans to China to source materials directly from the factory.

Mr Modisaotsile shared that there are many welding businesses in Palapye, but he will continue to make unique products and bring his customers’ visions to life.

Even though he faces many challenges, he remains optimistic about the future and aims to make more products and find new ways to grow his business.

He says his faith and discipline keep his business going, and following business rules has helped it grow. The entrepreneur encourages the youth to stop waiting for jobs and start businesses in areas like agriculture, fashion and design, welding, and carpentry to make a living and create jobs to improve the country’s economy.

He also thanked the Local Enterprise Authority (LEA) and the then Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development for its funding and support, which helped improve his business. ENDS