“A businessman thrives and music is back”

Cities are full of rising entrepreneurs and icons of the cultural scene. Moses Mokoanene, 27, a Correspondent from Letlhakeng in Botswana, introduces readers to two of them in this look at everyday life.

When you arrive in Letlhakeng circle from Molepolole, in your left side is Taj Hardware, where a 31 years old Ontuetse Kenosi once worked as a glass cutter.

In time,  Mr. Kenosi switched paths and started working in an emergency tyre service.

“My clients would call me anytime they have a tyre puncture, especially women because they cannot do it themselves” he said.

About 300 metres from Taj Hardware there is busy market, Roadway Complex, in the right. Lesanja Tyre Services is a registered business which is owned by Mr. Kenosi. He started operating in 2012 with his own savings from working at Taj Hardware as a glass cutter.

Mr. Kenosi said that his business, Lesanja, started after he left his work as a glass cutter. He used his own savings to buy a tyre changer. This business operates in a small rented room which was supposed to be a quick shop for a filling station in Roadway Complex. In 2013, Mr. Kenosi’s tyre services business was funded by the Department of Youth after he tried three times to get funding.

“I did not give up in applying for the Youth Development Fund, since I wanted my business to grow big and make more money for me,” he said. Since his business was funded, he managed to buy another wheel changer, a wheel balancer and a generator for power backup.

Mr. Kenosi observed that his business has potential to survive because it operates from a busy market and next to a filling station, adding that his business is also supported by winning tenders of tyre services for Letlhakeng Sub District. His customers are always happy about his services and prices range. Lesanja also has an inflation point where his customers inflate their car tires for free. He does not have any problem with his competitors because he uses a variety of business advertising and marketing, and business management skills.

“A lot of people believe that this business is tiresome, but I do not see any tiresome if you do this work with love and with the help of the machines,” Mr. Kenosi added.

Since Lesanja Tire Services is a youth-owned business, it has two youth employees who work as labourers.

“I do not look at myself as a boss to my workers, I do not seat back and watch them working, I also help them since I know this work,” he said.

Mr. Kenosi foresees his business growing and employing more workers, especially youth since they are unemployed. He has a mission to turn his business into a Tire Sales Company where he would be selling all types of tires and any other spares. He also envisions Lesanja at its own business plot, and urged youth to never give up in their dreams of having a profiting-making businesses.

In another area of the city’s life, people had been wondering if a well-known musician had left the music industry.

Segomotso Nkgomo, 55, known to his fans as ‘Kgobola Mr. Chinese’, confirmed  that he is still in music industry despite his age and low profile. Mr. Chinese recorded his first album in 1998, and his last album, ‘Chobolo’ in 2012.

Kgobola left music and took a long break, but he is now working on his six track Gospel Traditional album.

“This album reflects my comeback to music industry as a man of God,” he said.

The album is under production at Nazaluc Productions in Letlhakeng and Kgobola hopes it will bring back his fans. He also appealed to the government to take much-needed action against people who are pirating music.

Mr. Chinese further explained that he is helping upcoming artists in their albums and asking for help to start a tutoring programme to help local artists  succeed in the industry. Kgobola has worked with groups like Machesa in 2001 and mentioned many other groups he collaborated with.

“At these times there were no compact discs and memory sticks to pirate our music easily,” he said.

Kgobola urges those coming into the industry to succeed, and open their eyes widely, as the music industry is tricky. His Gospel Traditional is expected to be released in between April and May this year.

Photo credit: JeepersMedia Flat Tire via photopin (license)

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About me: I am a young man who likes socialising. I worked with Ga-Motshoto Investments as a Graphic designer for two years, and started working with Information Services as a freelance journalist in 2013.

I like exploring new places and would like to be a businessman in the future. Since I worked with Department of Information Services, I have gained much experience and would like to further my qualifications in journalism or broadcasting.

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Opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the Commonwealth Youth Programme. Articles are published in a spirit of dialogue, respect and understanding. If you disagree, why not submit a response.
To learn more about becoming a Commonwealth Correspondent please visit: http://www.yourcommonwealth.org/submit-articles/commonwealthcorrespondents/

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