Silver Lining In Clouds For Young It Entrepreneur
Bonte Seepi | Monday January 18, 2016 14:45
The 30-year-old from Mapoka operates his business, Ntebogang Technologies, at the busy NAPA Complex area in Palapye.
Ntebogang is also webmaster for Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST).
His business started operating in April 2010 when Ntebogang was about to finish his university studies at Tshwane University of Technology, but it was formally registered in 2012. Ntebogang, holds a Degree in Software Development from Tshwane university and a Diploma in ICT from Vaal University of Technology. He said he was driven to start his business by the passion he has for IT.
Initially, Ntebogang started in Gaborone using his personal savings but he relocated to Palapye in 2012 after securing permanent job with at BIUST.
“Some of the services that I offer include e-commerce solutions, website design, development and maintenance, IT consultancy, custom software development, web and IT security, bulk SMS service and domain registration and web hosting,” he said.
He said he started the business with his savings.
Ntebogang currently has three employees. He explained that since his venture is in its formative years he is still trying to market his business well to the public and develop good relations with his clients locally and internationally.
He added that the business is now doing fairly well.
“I can’t complain much about the business. It is growing. Again a lot of developments are coming to Palapye and I intend to capitilise on that,” he said.
He said that his main challenge is the tough competition from established IT companies.
However, Ntebogang said that low prices, good customer services and hard work have helped him compete well with other established IT businesses.
He added that his main aim is to use his business to support the e-Governance initiative, which is being rolled out by the government.
He said, ”ICT has brought developments in the country and it makes life easier. We can become efficient in doing such business”.
Ntebogang urged youth to start their own businesses to reduce unemployment in the country.
He advised them to embrace handiwork and to be critical thinkers if they want to venture into business.