Young entrepreneurs use BNTF as hunting ground

PINI BOTHOKO
Correspondent | Monday June 3, 2013 00:00

 

Reached under the Department of Youth and Culture stalls youth praised the Department of Youth and Culture for having given them a chance to showcase their products and services.They revealed that operating their business far from the city is a challenge as the market is limited and taking part at the trade fair might help expose their products and services to the market.Expressing her gratitude to the Department of Youth and Culture, Mmamaswe Kikonyane 33 of Gantsi Craft said they are composed of field staff that is highly trained in producer group formation, product development, design and the procurement of high quality craft. 'Gantsi Craft stocks a wide range of traditional handicrafts such as eggshell jewellery, carved ostrich eggs, wood carvings, handmade dolls, hunting sets as well as baskets and fine art from the San people in the Kgalagadi,' she said. 

Kikonyane said that they are a group of three supporting craft producers in the 15 settlements across the Ghanzi District.  'I am happy to be part of this trade fair, I want to use this opportunity to network, meet people and sell our products.  We engage in product promotion and raising awareness of San identity and culture and being part of this trade fair will leave people of Francistown well informed with our culture,' said Kikonyane.

She said that she has met a woman who deals with Fashion and Design and has interacted with her and agreed that she will supply her with Ostrich eggshell buttons to use in her dresses. 'I have started interacting with other youth who own businesses to support each other by buying from each.  I might be buying something that another deals in and it will be more cost effective purchasing straight from them and verse versa,' she said.  Kikonyane whom her parents are also into arts and crafts revealed that it is a family talent and has inherited it from her parents while still young.  She decided to make a living out if it.  'I have met so many people in stalls who are most interested in our products.  I hope we will have more business this side, especially that our products are unique in this area and everyone wants to have a bit of San identity and culture,' she said.

She said that she is proud of the youth department for supporting youth-owned businesses not through the support of money only but also by helping them in selling their products and services.Tshegofatso Ditsele 33 of Gramoth Enterprises owning Embroidery Company based at Maun also applauded the Department of Youth and Culture for the support they are giving to young Batswana in their businesses.

She said that she started her business back in 2010 and currently operates her business under Local Enterprises Authority (LEA) incubators in Maun. 'The Department of Youth and Culture have given me a youth grant that I used to buy myself a sewing machine and my business is doing well because I was struggling without a sewing machine for years,' she said.  Ditsele, who designs clothes, uniforms and logos said that she hopes that the BOCCIM trade fair would help her market her business countrywide.