Entrepreneur Finds Niche In Radio Communications
Pini Bothoko | Monday August 3, 2015 18:00
Merapelo told Monitor Business that a two-way radio is a transceiver, which can transmit and receive information mostly among employees within the same organisation but in different departments or areas.
“These are available in mobile, stationary base and hand-held portable configurations,” said Merapelo. Merapelo said that his radio could be used for communication at mines, wild life parks, and construction sites as well as during corporate events.
The Ministry of Sports Youth and Culture funded the 26-year Moroka-born lad through the Youth Development Fund (YDF).
Merapelo holds a Diploma in electrical and electronic engineering from ABM University. Merapelo disclosed that he developed the idea of owning an electronics company in the early years of his tertiary education. Merapelo said that he registered the business in 2011 during his early years at ABM.
“Even though I did not know what kind of business I would venture into in future, I had a dream of owning an electrical and electronic company one day,” said Merapelo.
Merapelo disclosed that he decided to quit his job as a radio technician for Simbec Company following numerous retrenchment threats.
“ Though I had other options of offering other electrical related businesses the experience I gathered, Simbec influenced me to choose my line of business. I also noticed opportunities for growth in this line of business,” he said.
After identifying his business line, Merapelo said he then approached YDF for funding but was rejected twice before succeeding on his third attempt.
“ I was convinced that I will eventually secure funding,” he said.
He added, “To date my business employs three Batswana, a marketing executive and two technicians.” He said that emergency rescues, security, courier companies, soldiers and police officers also use his radios. Merapelo buys his radios from South Africa, installs software programmes and then supplies them to his customers.
He said that his radios do not require the use of network as they only use frequencies supplied by the Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA). Hence he said: One just needs to license the business with BOCRA.
“I have contract deals with my customers as I have to monitor and service my radios whenever there is need.” Merapelo said that he uses brands such as Motorola, Kenwood, ICOM and Tait Radio communications and the prices differ depending on the brand used.
The sky is the limit for Merapelo. His ambition is to grow his business into a multi-million venture and employ dozens of people.