When business booms

KEABETSWE NEWEL
Correspondent | Thursday December 2, 2010 00:00

Today however he regards it as a blessing in disguise as he was able to start his own business that has proved to be successful.

Ghetto Gas is the name of the company that Moeletsi started after he got a letter of recommendation from his previous employer and received funding from CEDA. The company is located in Kgaphamadi location, Francistown.

Moeletsi himself is originally from Tlokweng.

Moeletsi says that he worked for Easy Gas from July 2007 until his retrenchment in December 2009. Easy gas was a subsidiary supplier of cooking gas to Shell. 'I was left jobless in December when people were planning for Christmas celebrations. My need for money and the challenge of being unemployed drove me to the idea of starting my own business. My previous employer wrote a letter of endorsement for me in case I wanted to venture into business,' He said.

Because of support from friends, family and his former employer, Moeletsi said he began working on business proposals and concepts in search of something to support his life. Since he had experience in the Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) supplies business, it was the natural choice that he eventually settled on.

'I found the LPG business not only lucrative, its demands were also high. It was then that in January 2010, 'Ghetto Gas' was born.' Moeletsi narrated. He mentioned that the fact that he lived in Francistown inspired him to name the company LPG gas after Francistown's commonly known nickname, Ghetto.

According to Moeletsi, the experience he has gained while managing Easy Gas has given him light on the industry.

Just as my business began operating, Francistown responded very positively to it and I can proudly say that it is growing,' he said.

He says his business is committed to issues such as health and safety, good customer service as well as providing quality service. 'My experience in this industry gives me the knowledge to handle gas safely, our cylinder containers are filled to capacity we also provide clean cylinders in immaculate cars, our prices are also not exorbitant. We are the cheapest in town,' Moeletsi said. He also revealed that they deliver their gas to customers on time. He said in his business it is crucial to be honest and build a sound clientele base.

His future plans include expanding to other areas like Serowe, Palapye and Masunga. He however cites various challenges that he often encounters. He said that people have misconceptions that gas businesses are untidy, untrustworthy and also dishonest as they cheat people by not filling up their containers to the maximum.

'There is also this misfortune that has engulfed the country, whereby the government is permitting foreigners especially Indians and Chinese to take up small businesses, whilst Batswana should be encouraged to do so.

Right now I compete with Indians who own chains of gas businesses countrywide, while I only have one branch in Francistown,' he complained.

Although the man expressed gratitude to CEDA for funding his project, he said that financial institutions should also encourage Batswana to venture into businesses and support them to own properties.

He said that at times Batswana are given huge sums of money only to be delayed by the council in land provision making people end up spending the money on other things.

'As Batswana we are forever trapped in debts because we are resourceless, unlike foreigners who are loaded with resources, yet they come and get the very small businesses that Batswana could be investing in,' he said.

He said that there should be businesses that the government reserves for Batswana.

'I am thankful to the Minister of Trade and Industry for doing a good job, going around gathering analysis from people. That mindset however must trickle down to the local authorities and financial institutions,' said Moeletsi.

He urged potential entrepreneurs to take business seriously and always aim at growing their businesses, 'I am very excited about my booming business and I have a vision to expand it into a national brand.