www.dailynews.gov.bw

SPECIAL REPORT

Tuesday December 15, 2015

By Sefhako Sefhako

Botswana saw the introduction of co-operative societies in 1964 with the Swaneng Consumer Co-operative being registered in

August 31, 1964.Records show that the idea of

cooperatives originated in Rochdale,

England on December 21, 1844 to be precise.

At that time, Rochdale Equitable Pioneers Society opened their store selling pure food at fair prices and honest weights and measures.

The cooperative business revolution saw a billion co-operators as members of 1.4 million cooperative societies across

the world with Botswana being part of the Rochdale Co-operative Theory. With many Batswana dismissing cooperatives as irrelevant, Assistant Minister in the Ministry of Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Dikgang Makgalemele, says co-operatives are still very much important in today’s economy. “Their meaningful contribution to the country’s

economy can never be over emphasised; hence our commitment to them,” he says. For instance, Makgalemele observes that 20 per cent of the economy of Kenya was in the hands of co-operatives, thereby relishing the input of different skills to take the business forward.

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INSIDE

PAGE 16-17 PAGE 20

Steel pipes to end NSC

1 water woes

Cont..page 12

Cooperatives still relevant

Vice President, Mokgweetsi Masisi (left), Rwanda Minister of Trade and Industry, Francois Kanimba (second left) and Assistant Minister of Trade and Industry, Advocate Sadique Kebonang touring stalls at the 11th African Cooperative Ministrial Conference in Gaborone recently. Masisi says Botswana has always recognised the role played by cooperatives as a model of business that could be used to empower communities and reduce unemployment. File Picture

Blindness does not

deter Xikae

Laughter Gardens brightens

Ramalepa’s life

DAILYNEWS..... Special report Special report ...DailyNewsTuesday December 15 ,2015 Page 12 Tuesday December 15 ,2015 Page 13

By Booster Mogapi

Ishmael Mosinyi of Chini Holdings is reaping the rewards of his relentless dedication, hard

work and patience. Having started Chini Holdings,

a poultry farm at Bokaa near Mochudi back in the early 1990s, with only 24 chickens, Mosinyi and his wife have a success story to tell.

Their 24 chicken layers grew to 74 and then 8 000, but their short sightedness of only supplying one dealer cost them dearly.

The supplier sold his enterprise, and the new owners did not engage them as before and their business went down.

From the mistake, the Mosinyi’s learnt a great lesson, which they corrected over the years by ensuring that they engage different buyers across Botswana.

With their never-die-attitude, they recovered and today, they stock 4 000 chicken layers, and sell their eggs to different buyers such as Shoprite, Spar- Mochudi, restaurants, individuals and bakeries.

Mosinyi says they started Chini Holdings after realising that there was potential in poultry business. Then, few Batswana had not tapped into the market.

He says they were allocated a plot and later sort financial assistance from government through Financial Assistance Programme (FAP).

He also got a loan from First National Bank to buy a cold room.

After being turned down by a

number of financial institutions for expansion, he did not give up and it was in 2010 that he approached CEDA, where his application for funding was approved.

Today, his business is steadily doing well, thanks to his relationship with CEDA.

However, there are challenges that he faces in his egg production business.

He says they import layers from South Africa, which has proven to be a challenge as they have to schedule orders for the whole year.

He further says some small poultry producers have shut down due competition from established poultry firms, adding that the egg market prices sometimes fluctuates depending on productions levels.

The heat wave currently experienced, he notes have affected their business as some have died due to high temperature because anything above 38 degrees Celsius kills their layers.

“We had to give them ice and water to cool and also fed them late in the afternoon when temperatures had cooled down,” he says.

As a way of trying to diversify his business, Mosinyi has added poultry abattoir so that aging chickens could be killed and sold.

Mosinyi further says the abattoir also assists other poultry business owners in the surrounding area, as there is a shortage of them.

Already, he is readying himself to be one of the people to benefit from the Economic Stimulus Programme.

Mosinyi’s humble beginnings payCooperatives still relevant

Mosinyi in one of his poultry houses. Initially he had 8 000 chicken layers, but due to market fluctuation the number went down to 4 000. Photo: Booster Mogapi

Assistant Minister Makgalemele

OtlhabanyeMosinyi supplies a number of business enterprises and individuals with eggs. Photo: Booster Mogapi

He also plans to purchase a backup generator to augment power at his farm.

Mosinyi also intends to have a big firm that can produce high quality eggs so that he can

sell to different buyers at large quantities.

He says he wants to expand his abattoir to cater for many people as they now only slaughter 1 000 chickens per day. Mosinyi’s

humble beginnings can certainly serve as a source of inspiration for the would be entrepreneurs. BOPA

“Let us take construction as an example, you need a financial manager, marketing expert, engineers, and architectures, amongst others, to come together and form a co-operative society,” he points out.

He further says poverty eradication programmes are also as good as co-operative societies, adding that economic empowerment programmes could fund societies with up to P500 000, which shows government’s commitment to co-operative societies.

In 2012, the minister says government reviewed the co-operatives policy to allow more businesses to go into co-operative societies.

According to the commissioner of co-operatives in the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Motse Otlhabanye, co-operatives are recognised globally as vehicles for social, economic, environmental and cultural empowerment directly benefiting one billion members.

He says data from India and Africa indicates that consumer needs of 67 per cent of rural households in India are supplied by co-operatives.

Otlhabanye says the data also indicates that the 300 largest co-operatives had a combined annual turnover of USD 2 trillion (about P20 trillion) in 2010 and that in Africa, 40

percent of households belong to a co-operative.

He says the number of co-operative societies had since increased significantly in the country from 19 at independence to 224 to date, with a total membership of 112 405 as of October 2015.

“This is made up of 169 trading primary co-operatives (non-financial), 51 savings and credit co-operatives (SACCOSs) (financial) and four secondary societies,” he says.

The commissioner says the co-operative model is still relevant in today’s economy as they empower shareholders by meeting their economic, social and cultural needs.

Also, he says the profits are distributed among the membership on an annual basis when the co-operative society realised profits at the end of each financial year.

He also emphasises that co-operatives creates employment to the citizens of Botswana, adding that members in turn gains business acumen through the co-operative philosophy.

The fact that members believes in saving their money, he says boosts the economy and that, women and youth businesses in particular could operate through the co-operative model.

On the impact of co-operatives in the country’s economy, Otlhabanye says generally, the movement had

Co-operatives can mainly be sustained by good

corporate governance; this enhances profitability to any business enterprise including the co-operative

subsector,

He says training of board members and staff on co-operative philosophy and business acumen is important, encouraging co-operatives to automate their operations to enable them to survive the competitive business environment.

“Co-operatives can mainly be sustained by good corporate governance; this enhances profitability to any business enterprise including the co-operative sub-sector,” says Otlhabanye, adding that viable business entity should be

able to survive for many years because it continues being profitable year after year.

He says the longer a business entity can stay profitable ,the better is its viability and sustainability.

Among all the co-operative models in Botswana the only model, which is no longer relevant, he says is the consumer co-operative, the reason being that there are more chain-stores which are out-competing them. BOPA

provided employment to 559 people; 357 of the number being women.

As of August 31, 2015, he says non-financial co-operatives or trading co-operatives had a turnover of over P128million, incurring a net loss of P598 232, which was mostly contributed by ineffective marketing and competitive strategies to stand the prevailing modern business environment.

On the other hand, Otlhabanye says SACCOSs)had a turnover of over P72million with a net profit of over P20million.

Furthermore, he notes that financial co-operatives had disbursed loans to members amounting to over P364million against total savings of over P266million at the end of June 2015.

“SACCOSs had overall investment portfolio of over P171million out of which 38million is invested in property for 11 SACCOSs.”

However there are challenges facing co-operative movements ,which include low levels of education in both board of directors and the general staff.

He also cites poor management of books as well as lack of information communication and technology as some of the challenges the movements are faced with.

...from page 11

DAILYNEWS..... Special report Special report ...DailyNews

By Booster Mogapi

After going through a difficult time in life, entrepreneur Cathrine Ramalepa found solace in recreation and farming.

It was through a challenging phase in her life that Ramalepa, who is the managing director of Laughter Gardens Farm at Malotwana near Mochudi, gave in to her calling.

She got the vision of the project, when she was at her lowest point; hence the name of her farm.

She wants it to be a place of laughter and joy.

“I do not only want joy and laughter for myself, but my plan is to help other people going through difficult and trying times to regain their composure and know that it is not the end of the world, they can still start afresh,” she says.

Starting her farming project was not easy, as she realised that patience and planning were virtues that she needed for it to be a success.

At first, she wanted to turn her farm into a recreational park, but her plans were thwarted when she was refused to change the land use of the plot.

She says she wanted to have an integrated recreational park with conferencing facilities, Christian retreat and a cultural village.

Ramalepa says she contemplated selling the farm so as to pay her debts and

By Segolame Seidisa

The Italian dialect, ‘Buon’ Appetito’ ,which infamously means ‘enjoy your

meal’ is a clear referee or depiction of the food offered at Aumure Pack Restaurant.

The restaurant, situated in the heart of Gumare is the brain child of the Youth Development Fund (YDF) beneficiary, Gaotlhophe Ditlhokwe.

Thir t y- one -year old, Ditlhokwe says her love for the culinary arts started back at Maun Secondary School in 2004, when she was studying Home Economics.

Whilst, awaiting her form five results, she started working at Spar-Gumare, at the bakery department, that is where her life event began.

Later on in 2014, she moved to Francistown and enrolled for a six months course in Pastry; where she learnt how to make dough, different types of pastries and how to operate a pastry machine.

Later in the year, she applied for YDF and was approved on March 2015.

“I realised that I had a passion and heart for cooking, so I wanted to showcase my innate talent for the world to see,” she says.

She was funded with P99 000; which she used to buy a dough setter machine, dough mixer, a single deck oven, stove and deep freezer, measuring scale and cutlery.

The restaurant sells hearty Italian inspired cuisine, such as pizza (mexican, vegetarian, mince flavours), assortment of pies, such as chicken peri-peri, plain chicken, sausage roll and russian.

Aumure Pack Restaurant also offers freshly cooked full -course meals and

delightful posh breakfast such as mogodu, chicken livers and traditional buns such as mapakiwa.

T he mother of t wo revered that her food is unique from the rest in the area because she does not use a lot of cooking oil and salt, which are bad for overall health.

Like any esteemed chef, she believes flavour and taste define the epitome of a great meal.

Without the derivation of this two, a meal is, without any doubt; repugnant.

Admittedly, her business is facing a number of challenges though still new.

She cites, high rentals and other costs incurred for buying other ingredients such as mozzarella, cheese, mushrooms and sausages from as far as Maun as some of the challenges bedeviling her business.

Selling delicacies such as p ies and p iz z a in Gumare, was a challenge as first, as only a few were accustomed to such treats.

However, that is a thing of the past, as she now cooks them as per the requests.

She has four people under her payroll to help with the day to day of running of the business.

“In terms of dreams and aspirations, after five years my desire is to buy a business plot and operate from there without incurring the costs of renting,” she says.

Ditlhokwe is grateful towards government for curbing unemployment rates amongst the youth, through empowerment initiatives like the YDF.

The world of business, she says is a tough calling; hence one should not always be money oriented. Rather, she says they should be armed to face the struggles and trials ahead.

She says res i l ience, passion and self-motivation are the key factors to achieving greater things

Tuesday November 15 ,2015 Page 15

Restaurateur hails YDF

in life.She also praises officials at ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture for assisting her in the operations of her business; through assessing and monitoring. She says the ministry has opened a window of opportunity for all youth. BOPA.

I realised that I had a passion and heart for cooking, so I wanted

to showcase my innate talent for the

world to see

Ditlhokwe, a beneficiary of YDF dressing a salad in her restaurant in Gumare. She says she promotes the essence of healthy, fresh food at all costs. Photo: Segolame Seidisa.

Laughter Gardens brightens Ramalepa’s life

start something anew. After disappointment and seeing her plans collapsing, she decided to turn to horticulture; though she is not a farmer but an entrepreneur.

“I had to do something because already I had committed myself and my funds in developing the plot and have to repay the loan I got from CEDA of over P800 000.”

However, starting her horticulture project was without setbacks.

When she started she hired some people who destroyed her dreams by stealing from her.

It was during that time that he prayed to God for guidance and met Jomo Monyepi from Palapye who is the current farm manager.

Today, she produces tomatoes, spring onions, cucumbers, lettuce, herbs among others and supplies Mochudi Spar, Pula Spar, Choppies-Mochudi, LSC, Mr Veg, hawkers and individuals.

She also has a nursery garden. At the beginning of the year,

she made a lot of losses for a couple of months, until she met Monyepi.

“God proved to me that I have met a faithful manager who produces as agreed and has met his own set targets.

Despite the challenges, such as reluctance of workers to work long hours, she has managed to pay her monthly dues to CEDA.

She is thankful to CEDA for funding her project and LEA for giving her advice on running her business and also organising short courses such as business management, finance and accounting to broaden her business acumen.

Ramalepa says there are many empowering schemes offered by government and urges Batswana to tap into them to change their lives.

She says one does not have to be a farmer to excel in farming, but can engage farming experts who can run their farm successfully. BOPA

Ramalepa and Monyepi checking one of the produce at the farm. Photo: Lame Dilotsotlhe Ramalepa with the farm manager, Monyepi at the maize field ,which forms part of Laughter Gardens Farm. Photo: Lame Dilotsotlhe

A view of Laughter Gardens maize field. Photo: Lame Dilotsotlhe

Ramalepa says the establishment of the farm has brought her laughter and joy and would like to help others. Photo: Lame Dilotsotlhe

Tuesday December 15 ,2015 Page 14

DAILYNEWS..... Special report Special report ...DailyNewsTuesday December 15 ,2015 Page 17

By Jeremiah Sejabosigo

Constructed over 15 years ago, the North-South Carrier phase 1 (NSC 1) was the first step towards addressing water shortage along

the eastern parts of Botswana.The 360 kilometre pipeline was built

to transfer water from Letsibogo Dam near Mmadinare to augment supply in the greater Gaborone area, which was getting thirsty.

Its impor tance cannot be over-emphasised, as the south of the country has grappled with water challenges for well over a decade after rainfall decline caused poor water supply from Gaborone Dam.The dam has been the main source of surface water for the capital city for many years.

Since its commissioning in 2000 NSC 1 has, however, experienced frequent water spillage caused by pipe bursts.

Recently, these pipe bursts have resulted in interruptions to water transfer, causing parts of the greater Gaborone area to be dry for days.

Some of the areas that have been badly affected by interruptions of water supply include Gaborone, Mogoditshane, Gabane, Tlokweng, Mmopane and Kopong.

Through the Ministry of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources (MMEWR), government has however been working hard to eradicate those pipe bursts and ensure that there are no more water supply interruptions.

Interviewed recently, MMEWR Minister, Kitso Mokaila, explains that the ministry has been working on a multi-million Pula project to replace GRP pipes (synthetic) with steel pipes on a problematic section of NSC 1 which has been experiencing frequent pipe bursts.

The 26-kilometre section between

Moralane pump station and Palapye in the Central District, Mokaila says has been the most troublesome part of the NSC 1 and has affected smooth transfer of water to the south of the country.

After touring the project in September, the minister expressed happiness at workmanship done by the two companies doing the project, Tripple C and WBHO.

“I am satisfied by the progress, the project is almost complete. We are replacing GRP pipes between Moralane and Palapye with steel pipes,” he says.

The project’s resident engineer, Ephraim Kelaeng says the project commenced in February and putting steel pipes was finished in September, two months ahead of schedule.

“The replacement of pipes has been completed. They are now putting fittings in place and there will be some testing period before the end of this year before we can switch back to the NSC 1,” Kelaeng

says. He says he expected commissioning to be done early next year, after which the pipeline will operate efficiently.

The steel pipes, he says unlike GRP ones, will not need to be replaced moving forward.

“This area was a weak link in the pipeline. Every time there was a pipe burst, it was in this stretch between Moralane and Palapye,” he says.

With this problematic area having been dealt with, Minister Mokaila remains confident that government has made great strides towards resolving the water supply issue around the greater Gaborone area.

With an efficient NSC 1 operating next year, residents of Gaborone, Tlokweng, Kopong, Gabane, Mogoditshane, and Mmopane should expect sufficiently improved water supply in their areas. BOPA

Steel pipes to end NSC 1 water woes

Minister Mokaila being briefed on the progress of NSC 1 pipeline replacement project by representative of the construction company. Photos: Phenyo Moalosi

Replacement of GRP pipe with steel pipes is expected to end water leakages in NSC 1, which will bring solutions to water reticulation crisis in the southern parts of the country.

Works on the project to replace GRP Pipes with the steal pipes between Moralame and Palapye

Tuesday December 15 ,2015 Page 16

DAILYNEWS..... Special report Special report ...DailyNewsTuesday December 15 ,2015 Page 19

Tuesday December 15 ,2015 Page 18

By Idah Basimane

Th e s a d s t a t e t h a t charac ter ises some of Botswana’s water sources

such as the Gaborone Dam is the motive why Southern African countries are still bent on their original policy of shared water resources like rivers flowing across national boundaries.

As a riparian state of at least four river basins, a country like Botswana currently plunged in drought, will benefit from transnational water cooperation such as the ones being planned for the Zambezi and the Lesotho Highlands Water Transfer.

Speaking in an inter view, Water Affairs department official, Tracy Molefi says although it was dif ficult to predict what will happen next, there is no hope for water repositories like Gaborone Dam,if the current climate situation persists.

Molefi says Botswana has a 360 kilometre pipeline project known as North-South Carrier Project that receives water from rivers that are shared by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states like South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.

The pipeline is meant to ameliorate the water situation in the southern parts of the country, including those that were fed by the parched Gaborone Dam, notes the official, adding that all the dams in Botswana depend on rivers for their inflow.

For instance, Ntimbale and Dikgatlhong Dams receive water from Tati River; Shashe Dam is fed

by Shashe River; Letsibogo Dam is fed by Motloutse River; Bokaa Dam receives water from Metsimotlhabe River; Lotsane Dam from Lotsane River; and Gaborone Dam from Notwane.

All the said dams and rivers constitute the Limpopo River system which is shared by Botswana and South Africa, says Molefi disputing suggestions that Mmatshika River could have improved the inflow of water into Gaborone Dam if it was not for private ponds and water holes in the Mmokolodi Nature Reserve.

“ The main r ivers that feed

Gaborone Dam include; Notwane, Taung, Metsimaswaana and Tlhwaane. Government is aware of a number of small dams in the entire catchment area of Gaborone Dam, and their impact is insignificant,” she says.

The fact that for the past three years there has been limited rainfall to support the inflow into the Gaborone Dam is the main reason for the drying of the dam, said Molefi.

The Greater Gaborone has been getting most of its water from Molatedi Dam in South Africa, she says, adding that should South

Africa change its mind obviously the water shortages in the area will worsen.

Senior programme officer for SADC’s water sector, Phera Ramoeli says the outcome of a study conducted in 2013/14 to review the status of implementation and harmonisation of the regional water policy with national policies indicates that member states continued to uphold the SADC protocol on shared watercourses.

Ramoeli says people of Southern Africa have also persistently called on their governments to urgently implement the policy and also for

SADC to come up with a plan for standard utilisation of transnational waters.

H e s a y s t h e s u c c e s s f u l implementation of the Regional Strategic Action Plan on Integrated Water (RSAP IV) would contribute towards assisting SADC member states to realise the achievement of regional, continental and international plans.

“The aim of RSAP IV is to build on the work of the previous RSAPs with a continued focus on infrastructure development, the programme officer says.

He adds that recently SADC made a number of developments, which include the review of progress on earlier action issues.

Some of the notable projects SADC has recently undertaken, he says include, the completion of a feasibility study on the Cross-Border Project Lomahahsa–Namaacha Water Supply and Sanitation Project between Mozambique and Swaziland, the commencement of the construction of the Kunene Water Supply and Sanitation Project, the feasibility study on the replacement of the canal with a Pipeline for the Kunene, and Trans boundary Water Supply Sanitation Project, and the completion of the Basin Wide Integrated Water Resources Management Plan for the Orange-Senqu Basin.

According to Ramoeli, SADC contr ibuted to cooperat ive management on water resources by establishing the SADC Protocol on shared watercourses as revised in 2000, which gives a framework for water cooperation in the SADC region.

He notes that River Basin States have defined and agreed on legal, institutional and regulatory frameworks for cooperation on water through the establishment of shared watercourse institutions like the OKACOM, ZAMCOM, ORASECOM, and LIMCOM.

Ramoeli says water is one of the most shared resources in the SADC region with each of the member states sharing a watercourse with its neighbor except for the Island States of Madagascar, Mauritius and Seychelles.

Research shows that 130 million percent of SADC people living in rural areas spend hours every day walking to collect water for their families, and that in Africa alone, women spend 40 billion hours a year walking for  water, and that women are responsible for 72 percent of the water collected in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The water division, which falls under the directorate for inf ras truc ture and ser v ices for SADC, is responsible for coordinating and facilitating the implementation of regional water related activities in close collaboration with the member states.

The division has the goal to cont r ibute towards the

improvement of the quality of life of people in the SADC region through promoting co-operation in all water matters for sustainable and equitable development.

Reports also have revealed that not only does walking for water keep kids out of school or take up the time that parents could be using to earn money, but the water is often impure and thus unsafe to drink.

Meanwhile, as nations are struggling to combat the effects of drought, South Africa’s Minister of Water and Sanitation, Nomvula Mokonyane told the media recently that four dams were at critical levels in South Africa namely Hazelmere dam, Goedetrouw dam, Hluhluwe dam and Klipfontein dam.

“Mandatory restrictions are already in place against communities the dams serve,” she said, adding that the current abnormal heat wave had increased evaporation rates significantly; hence the fall in capacity levels.

“This excessive heat-wave, which is the result of El-Nino, has grossly exacerbated the dry and arid conditions that we are currently experiencing and it is putting a strain on the already stretched water resources across all provinces,” she says.

Mokonyane further saysthe water sector in South Africa was facing considerable challenges, which include; climate change, lack of rainfall and poor maintenance of

infrastructure in some areas, water leaks, water pollution, illegal water connections, alien and invasive species, and heat waves.

She says the mitigation plan had been put in place by Rand Water and the three Metropolitan Municipalities working closely together to develop a recovery plan for water services in Gauteng, which is now at the implementation stage.

The recovery plan, she adds involves turning off water supply in certain areas between 7 or 8 PM and 4 or 5 AM for several days to allow sufficient time for the water levels in the water reservoirs and water towers to recover so that water can again be supplied to the affected high lying areas.

On behalf of government of Mozambique, Genoveva Bene, who is f irst secretary to the Mozambique High Commissioner, says his country participated in joint studies on the Incomati, Maputo, Umbeluzi, Limpopo, Save, Buzi, Pungue, Zambeze and Rovuma Basins, which are shared watercourses in the SADC region.

Bene says that had resulted with subsequent joint strategies including the established Joint Water Commissions with riparian States, RBO established River Basin Organization in the Zambezi and Limpopo, and agreements for the protection and development of water resources such as The IIMA Agreement for Incomati and Maputo Basins. BOPA

Gaborone Dam

Shashe River

Dikgatlhong Dam

DAILYNEWS..... Special report Special report ...DailyNewsTuesday December 15 ,2015 Page 21Tuesday December 15 ,2015 Page 20

Blindness does not deter Xikae

Blindness does not deter Xikae

I have had a tough life. Both of my parents have passed away, I

am only left with my aunt. There is no solid support system at home, so coming to work refreshes my

mind. I do not have time to think about the has-beens, says Xikae.

By Segolame Seidisa

Kabo Salepito, a Youth Development Fund (YDF) beneficiary is a living

testimony that the programme has transformed today’s generation’s livelihood.

The 29-year-old, salon owner believes that the success of her company is derived from her knack and propensity to attainment.

Salepito chose a self-oriented decision that converted her life to greater heights and she is a true reflection that empowerment programmes have the ability to alter one’s life from the claws of poverty.

From humble beginnings in the remote area of Gumare, Salepito has always had the passion and flair for hairdressing.

Her first attempt at plaiting was at Kelekele Primary School, where she imitated some of the hairstyles done by her friends.

Funny enough, she mastered the art exceptionally well; even more than her mentors.

After finishing her form five at Maun Secondary School, the ever-bubbly, mother of one says it was hard to find a decent job to support her newly born baby.

So, she decided to try a hand at hairdressing and she was hired by Two Sisters Hair Salon in 2007. In 2009, she relocated to Kedi Hair Salon.

Working in these two hair salons armed her with the experience, which enabled her to experiment with a variety of hairstyles. “While at Kedi Hair Salon, I discovered that I had the innate yearning to be independent and to solely open my own business. I hunted and searched for funding possibilities that could make my dream come true,” she says.

Along she stumbled upon a golden opportunity, as in November 2010, she applied for YDF in Gumare and four months later, her application was approved and was funded to the tune of P71 500.

By Chendzimu Manyepedza

Jamakata is among the villages, which hosted poverty eradication workshops last year. Beneficiaries were equipped with skills on how to execute their projects.

One year later, it seems the workshop has achieved the intended purpose.

Glowing faces of some residents are testimony that abject poverty is set to become a thing of the past.

One cannot help, but be fascinated by the commitment and determination that some beneficiaries show towards their projects; an indication that indeed the workshop has left behind some happiness.

Clearly, beneficiaries highly regard their projects, not only as a means that rescued them from poverty, but also as a significant contributor to the economic activities within the village.

Most of the projects are doing well, and some beneficiaries admit that it was never an easy task for them to flourish as they had to deal with a number of challenges.

Patience and enthusiasm, they have towards their projects, has helped them to keep on keeping on, and implement strategies that helped them to soldier on.

One of the beneficiaries, who is into small stock production, 33-year-old, Onalenna Majeremane says the road to success, has not been spared from several challenges, but she never allowed such hiccups to discourage her.

“Some few days after the arrival of my 12 goats, four of them died, but the deaths did not make me despair. I took it that the change of the environment was one of the contributing factors that led to the deaths,” she says.

Subsequent to the setback, she worked tirelessly and consulted the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) and eventually the goats multiplied. Today, they are 14.

The mother of two opines that the project is viable and will positively change her future. As a result, the youthful farmer encourages other beneficiaries that focus and perseverance is a vital cog in any business.

Also, she says it is wise for beneficiaries to always strive for the growth of their projects or businesses for a sustainable future.

Another beneficiary, 33-year-old, Barulaganye Morongwa, who is into hairdressing also attests that her project has also not been spared from several problems.

Morongwa attributes that lack of water connection in her yard, has highly strained her project.

However, she never threw in the towel and had to come up with strategies that helped her to tackle the challenge.

“The success of my project depends on the availability of water. As such, I came up with the idea to use empty containers to store water so that work continued,” she says.

The sole owner of the project, who maintains that the business is moderate and gets a boost every month end and holidays,

Poverty eradication on track is determined to use her profits wisely and save some for future use.

“I operate from my household and as such I am not paying any rent. This enables me to save some profits for future use and so far I have managed to open a bank account,” she says.

The village leader, Kgosi Mosalagae Galebonwe is happy that projects are flourishing.

Not only do projects play a significant role in the lives of beneficiaries, but have also addressed some of the challenges the village is facing.

Also, Kgosi Galebonwe is of the view that projects have boosted economic activities within the village.

In addition, projects have brought in some of the services closer to residents.

Some villagers, he notes have benefitted from projects such as hair salon, bakery, sewing, small stock production, horticulture, among others.

“These projects are very useful since they were introduced here in the village. Issues of unemployment, uncalled for behaviour and other social ills have been reduced. Those who are serious, have something to look up to as their source of employment,” he says. BOPA

Youth embraces YDF

“Applying for YDF grant was an eye opener. Filling out the forms was a challenging yet adrenaline-charged task. I thank God because the programme officers were helpful and supportive, she says.

She used the money to pay rent and bought equipment like hair driers, steamer, hair products and others. Her business named, Kab Hair Salon and then started experiencing a challenge of exorbitant rentals after operating in 2011.

However, she moved to a much bigger and well ventilated place, which is at the heart of Gumare, this year.

Her salon, she says differs from others in the village because she imports quality, synthetic hair pieces as well as human hair from as far as Zambia, while at the same time selling African print fabric, perfumes and make up to her customers.

To curb the unemployment rate amongst the youth, as well

as to give back to her home land, Kab Hair Salon has employed eight workers who are paid on a monthly commission.

Like any other business, she says Kab Hair Salo had encountered a number of glitches. She cites the reluctance of Okavango District Council to award them tenders to train beneficiaries of the poverty eradication programme as one of them. She says beneficiaries are trained in salons as far as Mogoditshane and Gaborone.

She says the move is dispiriting them in the process adding that their efforts are not valued.

Another challenge is that some of the youth she hires are sluggish; hence it is difficult to work with them. “In terms of pricing, some of my customers are not accustomed to paying a higher price on a quality product. For instance, human hair goes for P180 a pack, so they rarely understand that transport money is incurred in the pricing of a hair product especially if it was imported from afar,” she says.

Salepito appreciates competition and is not unfazed by it; rather she says it strengthens her as it emboldens her to work harder than before. She also explains that she pays her installments monthly at the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, and will continue to do so until she is done.

The acute business woman encouraged youth to involve God in everything they do, saying they do, all the trials and tribulations usually endured in business, will be easily handled.

She urges youth to apply for YDF so that they can fend for themselves and their families, saying doors are always open to everyone who has a willing heart to open a business.

Salepito further explains that investing or opening a savings account is equally important in maintaining a successful business.

Passion, drive and resilience are key to epitome to owning a successful entity. BOPA.

He urges people living with disabilities not to look down upon themselves, rather he says they should accept their disabilities.

He says they should look up to one famous Ray Charles, who was visual impaired and a achieved a lot despite his disability.

Xikae, who is a devoted m e m b e r o f H o l y G h o s t International Ministries says prayer has been his pillar of strength, adding that everything is possible with God.

“When one bows down and tell God what they want surely it shall be granted unto them.”

Also, he says they should not feel discouraged and stressed, ins tead they should seek counselling and receive proper help they need.

Keemetse Morotsi, 32-year-old, trained orientation and monitoring instructor from Mochudi Resource for the Blind, and also Xikae’s appointed right-hand man says it is easy to work with Xikae, more so that he is intelligent and self-driven.

“I have a passion for working with people with disabilities.

I used to volunteer and attend workshops dealing with people with disabilities, hence I was appointed by the Okavango Sub District Council to work as Xikae’s instructor and I embraced the opportunity with both hands,” says Morotsi.

Morotsi prepares Xikae for work daily, ensuring that warm water is available for him to bath and clothes are clean.

Also, he imparts knowledge in terms of assessing his body

position, teaching him cardinal points and making him familiar with his working environment.

Morotsi says the public , counselors and social workers and parents should accept and embrace people living with disabilities and assist them in many ways than one to make their lives easier.

“My longing is to see a rehabilitation centre being built in Gumare for the mentally challenged; to nurture and assist them from young age,” he says.

The director of Cook Tree Investments; Elias Diranyane says Xikae is close to his heart.

“I saw him walking down the street on his own and I was amazed with what I saw,” he says.

I decided to enquire at the rehabilitation of f ice at the Okavango Sub District Council to know if I could help this young man with anything.

“I then decided to hire him as a receptionist,” says Diranyane.

He says people living with disability should not be left to fight the struggle alone. He says they need all sorts of support to make a difference.

He commends companies like Choppies Group for hiring people with disabilities.

“Back in the day when my company was doing well I used to give five percent of my profits to the community or needy persons. I even sponsored three students at Ngethu Brigade. I paid their tuition fees and also gave them an allowance to keep them going. Xikae is no exception, I am just helping where I can,” says Diranyane. BOPA

By Segolame Seidisa

Being visual impaired does not necessarily mean the world should come to a

halt. Rather, it simply means one should work twice as hard or make

an extra effort in everything they do, which is really commendable.

According to a famous quote by well-known American activist, Dr Martin Luther King Jr, “Faith is taking the first step even when you do not see the whole

staircase”. Simply put, one should remain courageous towards their dream even if they cannot see the path ahead.

This is precisely evident in Xhinye Xikae’s life. Twenty-two-year-old, visual impaired young man from

Gumare is a true testimony that despite challenges and hardships, self- drive, determination and obscene confidence, can make one achieve greater heights in life.

Despite his disability, Xikae who was recently hired by Cook Tree Investment as a receptionist has had a tough life.

“Both my parents have passed away and I am only left with my aunt. There is no solid support system at home; so coming to work refreshes my mind,” he says.

From first impression, Xikae is professed as someone who is reticent and reserved; but that is not the case.

He is opinionated, independent and a carefree individual who has a heart of gold.

It was in 2014 that he went for a three-week training in orientation and mobility at Mochudi Resource for the Blind, which is helped him to get familiar with the environment he is living in.

A l s o , h e w a s t a u g h t communication and interpersonal skills, which are vital in today’s f rugality. Xikae’s dream and aspiration is to see himself as a prominent businessman in the area, preferably in real estate.

His dream is to be a land lord Already, he plans to use his earnings to build a house in which he can lay a head on.

The one-roomed house, which he is sharing with his aunt, he says, is delapilated. Xikae, who is not yet financially stable, also plans to pursue a certificate in cookery.

Majeremane with her goats. Photo: Chendzimu Manyepedza

Morongwa says the business is moderate and picks during holidays and month ends. She admits that operating from her household has helped her save some profits for future. Photo: Chendzimu Manyepedza

Xikae at work. Photo: Segolame Seidisa

Xikae with his colleagues. Photo: Segolame Seidisa

One of the beneficiaries of YDF, Salepito styling one of her clients in in Gumare recently. She urges the youth to apply for empowerment programmes to better the lives. Photo: Segolame Seidisa

Some of the hair products sold at Kab Hair salon. Salepito (not in picture) says her business is doing fairly well. Photo: Segolame SeidisaCont..page 21

...from page 20

DAILYNEWS..... Special report

By Clara Thamae

Un l i k e m o s t graduates who l o o k u p t o government for

employment, Wachila Khani has taken it upon himself to create better opportunities for himsel f and other graduates through his business, Dominic Studio Investments in Tutume.

Af ter completing his M a s t e r s i n B u s i n e s s Administration (MBA) in South Africa in 2011, 32-year-old, Khani decided to use the experience he obtained during attachment at school to open his own business.

He approached his family for financial assistance and started by purchasing Disc Jockey (DJ) equipment and cameras to provide sound system and photography services at weddings and parties, while operating from home.

It was in 2012, that he d e c id e d to int ro du ce secretarial services, following a market research, which showed that more people were copying, faxing, typing and scanning daily.

He then met Ishmael Selebogo the same year who agreed to assist him with graphic designing and

multimedia, so as to produce good quality photos and programmes for his clients.

The init iative helped grow his business, hence he approached Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture for assistance in order to expand his business and introduce more services.

He was then funded with P100 000, which he used to buy an advanced sound system, back-up power system and opened another office at the centre of the village to attract more customers.

Also, he included other services such as car and sign boards writing, car plate numbers, computer repair, t-shirt printing, internet, general supply and same day photo printing.

Khani, who then employed two more people to meet his client’s demand, says he provided on job training for all of them so they can be in a better position to provide good quality customer service at all times.

S i n ce , e nte r i n g t h e business world, he says he has par ticipated in many youth workshops as a motivational speaker, judged Junior Achievement Botswana (JAB) projects and assisted other youth to write

business proposals. Already, he has

won tenders to provide a service during campaigns such as the tobacco d a y, M o n t h o f Youth Against AIDS (MYAA), road safety and youth pitso.

H e s a y s h i s s e r v i c e s w e r e enjoyed in other villages as they have already provided wedding services in Moshupa.

To market h is b u s i n e s s , h e produces f lyers , p a m p h l e t s , business cards, has a Facebook page where people can view what services are provided and also makes sure that they give out good customer service to all their clients so that they can recommend their friends to Dominic Studios.

In order to grow as a business person, he says he attends business workshops, so that he can network with other entrepreneurs and share ideas on how best to improve their businesses.

Tuesday December 15 ,2015 Page 22

He is also involved in projects around the village as a way of giving back to the community by providing sound system to McConnell College for free, assisting local netball teams with kits and balls, and had adopted Thini Primary School

since last year. At the moment, he is busy

building another office at his business plot in Magapatona ward, which is scheduled to be opened before the end of the year.

The building will consist of an office, library section, internet café where people can surf the internet, while having coffee and snacks, study room for students to use for group work and a photo studio.

Already, he says he has manage d to purchase a company vehicle and now able to provide services in other places at a quicker time.

Despite all the good things happening at the studio, he is still faced with a number of challenges such as lack of equipment, embroidery machines for t-shirt printing and bulk copying printers.

Nonetheless, he says his team is determined to provide good quality services to their clients despite the challenges they face.

He encourages youth to use entrepreneurship skills learnt at schools to come up with different businesses to better their lives as well as to create jobs for their peers.

His door, he says is always open to anyone who needs assistance or advice regarding business. BOPA

Dominic Investments reaches for the sky

Khani of Dominic Studios Investments in his office attending to managerial duties. Photos: Clara Thamae