Botswana: Afitile Lebakeng- Laundry and Beads

Ms Lebakeng from Maun, established a laundry business in 2016. Gender Links helped her with business skills training like record keeping. Her clients are government employees and residents of Sedie Ward. But most clients are BDF soldiers whom either drop off the clothes with her or she goes to collect them. She washes clothes, blankets and even wedding gowns.

Miss Lebakeng then diversified to making beading and accessories which have different clientele such as tourists, souvenir shops, government workers and the locals at large. The beads and accessories business has grown steadily due to social media presence and displaying at Shorobe Basketry Shop. She has one employee to help with the beading. She hopes to one day be able to employ more youth.

Budgeting and Pricing

She keeps separate records for each venture but does the accounting in one place. She has savings of P3, 100.00. Income accrued over a period of 3-6 months amounts to P4, 000.00 whilst the expenses incurred from salaries, utilities, transport and materials amounts to P2, 600.00, amassing a profit of P1, 400.00. For the next 3-6 months the business is projected to make P4, 130.00 income and incur costs of P2, 830.00, creating a profit margin of P1, 300.00.