Ten Lucky Shoppers Win Tractors In Sefalana Promotion
Staff Writer | Monday November 6, 2017 12:15
Buoyed by his recent acquisition of a state- of-the-art tractor and ripper combo, courtesy of the annual Sefalana Win A Tractor promotion, Hukuntsi man, Ungwang Mothibamele said he is sure to turn the tractor into real wealth. Although he is not a farmer, Mothibamele says the tractor and plough combo valued over P250,000, will come in handy in his area where he says tractors are in short supply, especially during the ploughing season. Another lucky winner, Mochudi man, Andrew Pheto also described his new asset as a sure wealth creator.
“We have two old tractors. This one will join them, and it is going to create wealth for our family. Already the two old ones are capable of giving us up to P200,000 after a good ploughing season of working night and day. Now I shudder to imagine the returns once this latest tractor is factored in,” he said.
Pheto says since he learnt of his jackpot in Mmamashia where he had gone to buy himself a new planter and other implements in preparation for the coming ploughing season.
Pheto is not alone in his optimism. Another lucky Mochudi, winner Orudile Boikanyo, 36, also says opportunities in the government arable farming programme, ISPAAD, are galore in the Mochudi area. He aims to take full advantage of them, as well as tilling his own land. He also sees opportunities in bush clearing tenders along the A1 road.
Another winner, Tsheole Gaosego of Palapye burst into tears upon realising that she had won a tractor. She says winning the tractor was an act of God, as she had been praying day and night for this miracle.
Prince Mosanana may be popular for his tourism outfits, Warm Hands Guest House and hotel in Kanye, but he describes himself as a passionate and dedicated farmer who had been using his sole and now old tractor to plough for himself and also to render farming services to other farmers.
With his old tractor, he says he had been able to do 10 fields, depending on size, but he is hopeful that with the newest addition, he will realise even better returns. He says the old tractor had been characterised by breakdowns and hope to be cruising all the way with his new machine.
Pinkie Thipe of Machaneng in Tswapong sees her feat as poverty eradication. She will be putting it to good use around Machaneng come the ploughing season. She is confident that through this tractor, she would be able to build a home for her family and generally uplift her household’s economic status.
“I fainted when I learnt that I won. My younger sister woke me up. I couldn’t believe it that moment. I was nervous and shaking when my name was called to open the envelope and when it said, tractor, I fainted.”
For 49-year-old Palapye man, Mokka Dintwa, who is also a local trader, he is contemplating how he can use the newly-acquired machine to develop his two fallow farms in Lecheng and Matsitama.
Another businesswoman, Boitumelo Molefinyane of Gaborone hopes to try farming for the first time using her new tractor. She already has a piece of land around Thamaga where she says her first attempt at farming would start.
The grand finale attracted 43 contestants from Sefalana outlets across the country that won cash prizes and goodies, as part of eliminations for the final 16 for the main draw. Since the competition started in 2014, some 40 tractors worth about P10 million have been given away to Batswana.
Winners come from diverse backgrounds.One of the 10 winners from last year was a widowed mother of three, Goitse Selato of Goo-Moremi. Another winner in 2015, Kealeboga Bogatsu said his tractor worked wonders for him after he hired it out for a road construction project in Pandamatenga.