Entrepreneur surpasses own ambitions
Chakalisa Dube | Monday June 9, 2014 09:26
Sebokolodi is now the proud owner of Francistown Canvas and Tents, a business that started full operations in March this year. The business manufactures various products, ranging from bags, tents, canopy covers and chairs, made of canvas material.
He even repairs torn car seat covers using canvas material. Sebokolodi, an unmarried father of three, recently welcomed Business Monitor to his premises, located in the Monarch light industrial area.
“I always had ambitions of setting up my own business but lacked the zeal to do so.
“It was after an interaction with a friend sometime in 2011 that I decided to take the initiative and registered the business,” he said. His friend, Sebokolodi recalls, encouraged him to start the business after noticing his potential in manufacturing canvas products.
“After registering the business I began looking for funds. The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture funded my business last year December,” he explains.
“I only began full operation in March this year because I was still looking for a suitable place to start operating.”
The Ministry funded his business to the tune of P90,000, money that he used to buy machinery and material.
He sources most of his material from a local company called Master Trade.
The young entrepreneur acquired the skills to manufacture canvas products from his previous employer, The Jolly Bushman. Located in the Dumela Industrial area in the city, The Jolly Bushmen manufactures and supplies canvas products.
“I learned the craft while worked for The Jolly Bushmen Botswana, where I was from 2007, before quitting last December after receiving funds from the youth ministry to establish my business.
“I started at Jolly Bushmen as a general labourer, but rose through the ranks until I became part of the manufacturing team making canvas products,” he said.
The Monarch-born businessman said he started his business because he was convinced that there was a huge market for canvas made products.
“Most of the canvas products are imported from neighbouring South Africa. Local companies cannot meet the country’s demand,” he said.
Sebokolodi said clients have responded fairly well to his business. Currently he caters for individuals, but government entities such as councils and the Department of Wildlife have been inquiring about his products.
“They have been asking for quotations for some of my products and hopefully they will begin placing orders,” he said.
The business does have its own challenges, he added. Some Batswana are reluctant to buy canvas-made products because they consider them expensive, despite their durability.
“I hope that as time goes on they will understand why prices for canvas made products are a bit higher,” he explained.