Nkhwanana Makes Strides in Kiddies Parties
Lebogang Baingapi | Tuesday July 4, 2017 15:59
It becomes even more interesting when you have to create such memories for kids, as it requires the colourful blend of fun and setting that will bring joy and smile to the little angels.
This best describes what Wananani Nkhwanana of Jwaneng does almost every weekend to make kiddies parties more memorable and leave lasting positive impressions on the guests.
Her dream came true in October 2015 when she received a life changing call from the youth office.
“I received P100,000 funding through the Youth Development Fund (YDF) programme to start a kids’ events management company.
The fund came handy towards the festive season when I had a bunch of clients to render my service to around Jwaneng,” she explained.
During the weekends, Nkhwanana is a busy lady and she revealed in an interview that she realised that most of the kids’ events management services were sourced from Gaborone, yet there was a niche in the Jwaneng market.
She started as an agent in one of the events management companies and she resigned to start her own company, something she does not regret.
Prior to that, she was a Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) officer at a local contractor in Jwaneng for six years but she developed interest in the catering business.
Nkhwanana acknowledged the government’s assistance, as she was able to buy jumping castles, tiffany and whindlong chairs, top tables and couches as well as childre’s chairs of different sizes to expand her business and keep up to date with the growing market.
“The business is doing well and it requires one to be creative and network with other like-minded service providers wishing to hire from me when I am not providing the service anywhere,” she said.
The mother of two has extended her business to include a party shop where she sells face musks, party cutleries and also cater for events such as bridal and baby showers to do the décor.
Furthermore, she takes the responsibility of looking after the kids during parties to make sure that they play safely.
Though she mentioned lack of transport as one of her challenges, she remains optimistic that she will make it, as long as she focuses and creatively sharpens her skills to satisfy her customers.
Her packages differ according to the number of attendees and she allows the customer to choose the colour of the decoration, the theme and the character. Other services include face painting, mascots, pinators, cakes, music and the master of ceremony who will entertain the kids.
Her clients are also treated to lunch packs and snack boxes for the kids.
The 34-year-old added that she wishes to extend her business to nearby villages and do catering for weddings and other functions of high magnitude.
“This business is not for lazy people, it requires hard work and dedication to attract more customers”, she added.
She said after her proposal to secure funds from the government failed in 2013, she dusted herself and tried her luck again the following year.
Nkhwanana gives credit to her mother who monitors the business to make sure that she makes money to refund the government loan.
She emphasises in business, all should be driven by passion rather than copying what other people are doing.