Mafilla Promotions out to 'VEED' graduates

NELSON DIRENG
Correspondent | Friday July 2, 2010 00:00

The occasion will be used to economically empower jobless university graduates. The event will be divided into four components - the exposition where different companies will be engaged to inspire youth. The companies will include both established and youth driven entities that have been funded by government schemes like Kick-Start and CEDA Young Farmers Fund. A business conference will also run concurrently with the event where established business people like Lesang Magang of Phakalane Golf Estates, and Joy Simakane (guest speaker) are expected to speak. The event will also be used as a courier fair and internship opportunity programme.

Mafilla Promotions' managing director Phillip Mfolo said his company, which started operating this year, is aimed at providing youth with opportunities. He said his company has not been established to compete with already existing companies or government but instead to assist already existing initiatives that he feels aren't enough.

'The government internship pogramme, for instance, only accommodates BA degree holders,' he said. The former UB student said this disadvantages students from institutions like Limkokwing University as they only pursue diplomas. He said that the programme also sidelines a lot of students because it takes graduate students from 2008 and later. 'VEED will however facilitate a matchmaking process between students and possible institutions in which they can intern,' he said.

Mfolo said they would also focus on helping students realise their business aspirations as well as better prepare for the inherent risks. He criticised the government for offering funding to agriculture projects instead of focusing on other industries. 'Not everyone is interested in agriculture and not everyone is lucky enough to benefit from the programme because it is complicated,' he said. Mfolo said that although agriculture is important to the country's economy, focusing on it only would not help Botswana attain its diversification agenda. The government should encourage the youth to venture into entrepreneurship but it should not dictate what kind of enterprise to venture into,' he said.

Mfolo said VEED would be hosted annually. Financial institutions, government departments and other advertising agencies are expected to grace the event. 'What will gratify me the most is seeing at least one student benefiting from one of the VEED components,' said Mfolo.

Mafilla Promotions does corporate branding, marketing and advertising, television and radio commercials, creation of conceptual ideas, and projects and events management. Some of Mafilla Promotions biggest upcoming projects include re-branding the Choppies logo and coming up with fresh concepts for Mascom adverts.