Entrepreneur Aims High In Cut Throat Waste Business
Oageng Batenegi | Monday January 23, 2017 16:25
Today, Moilwa owns Alumnus Waste Management Company which he started in 2014. “I never thought I will run a waste management company”, said Moilwa who is an Information and Technology graduate from Botho University.
Moilwa said he also draws his ultimate motivation from his family. His uncle runs a waste management business in South Africa where his maternal family originates. “My mother is also very supportive”, said Moilwa.
The 25-year-old, whose paternal family originates from Otse village, said her mother has never objected to his idea to own a business unrelated to his profession. But of course like any other young person, he used to see himself in an air-conditioned executive office after his graduation.
But he had to put food on the table. Moilwa said he could not wait for the economic hardships or the unemployment situation in this country to be an obstruction to his dreams. Moilwa had savings he used to finance his business.
“I started with two portable toilets. I now own 15”, said Moilwa whose company eclusively offers the service of hiring portable toilets. “Next month we are adding portable showers to the fold,” said an upbeat Moilwa.
Alumnus portable toilets offer the services of flushable portable toilets, VIP/Executive toilets, non-flush portable toilets and servicing of portable toilets. His clients include construction companies, events, festivals, weddings, funerals as well as home parties.
Moilwa’s best marketing tool has been attending and showcasing at exhibitions and expos. His business was part of the last year’s Youth Expo that was organised by the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Culture Development. “I had more jobs after the youth expo”, said a highly motivated Moilwa.
He also exhibited at last year’s Global Expo. And he adds that business has been good after the exhibition showpiece. Moilwa also uses the print media for advertising and plans to venture into radio marketing as well. “I don’t regret spending money on marketing. You have to spend money in order to make money”, Moilwa said without any equivocation.
After all this is a man who boasts Motor Vehicle Accident Fund and some of the big businesses contracted by Debswana as some of his clients. He got a piece of a cake of the BOT50 celebrations business and some government departments support his business as well.
Moilwa is currently only based in Gaborone, but wants to expand his business to other parts of the country. Though currently he is a sole shareholder in the business, he is open to possible partnerships that will help grow the entity.
The other option currently on his cards is approaching a bank for a loan to expand the business. “I want to venture into rubbish collection and a single waste collection truck is about P1.5 million”, he said. He concluded that he has no doubt that banks will help his business grow as his financial books are in order.