Senkang Finds Niche In Bakery Business

Pini Bothoko | Monday June 27, 2016 14:10

 

She runs a business she started in 2015, at her home in Satellite South location.

She told Monitor Business that before establishing her business she depended on working as a house helper for survival, but says the money she earned could not adequately cater for the demands of her family. “I used to work as a maid for a man who owned a supermarket at Kalakamati village and as a result I fell in love with entrepreneurship,” said Senkang.She stated that one day she decided to pass by the Social and Community Development offices in Francistown to enquire more about the government poverty eradication programme that she once heard of on Radio Botswana (RB1).“I told the social worker that I have an interest in enrolling for the programme and she advised me accordingly.  After that visit I decided to quit my job and relocated to Francistown to start my entrepreneurship journey and I have not looked back since,” said Senkang. Senkang further stated, “I started submitting my proposal in 2012 and it was rejected about three times. I persevered until it was approved in 2015”. She added that the government through the poverty eradication scheme bought her a four-burner gas stove, which has an oven, a gas cylinder, fridge, bowls and a baking pot.  She, however, says that she has now resorted to baking on open fire because the oven is slow.

The business specialises in bakery products being loaves and mapakiwa. “At the moment I am struggling to use my hands to mix flour. I need a dough mixer and a well-furnished bakery to bake quickly,” said Senkang. “I currently supply Mahube Primary School with bread. When I started the business in 2015 I won a tender to supply the Centre for the Deaf in Francistown with bread and it motivated me to hold on.  I am optimistic that the future of the business is bright,” said Senkang.

She said her dream is to secure funding in order to establish a fully-equipped bakery and be able to supply big supermarkets with her products. Senkang does not boast any major qualification in baking but attended a basic baking course.