Botswana: Gontle Motang

“I want to be able to provide good education for my son so that he becomes a good man when he grows up.” ~Gontle Motang

I met Gender Links in 2014 at an entrepreneurship training workshop in Goodhope. The most memorable time was in 2015 when went to Oasis Motel for the backstopping workshop. There, we were well welcomed. The hotel was clean and I enjoyed sleeping in white sheets.

From the Gender Links trainings I have learned to keep my business records in a book. I have also learned to be able to see the gap in a market which I can benefit from. I have learned the importance of valuing each customer as well as how to use email and communicate better generally. Currently I am living an abuse-free life and running a mobile clothing business; I sew as well as buy and sell. The business is registered and located in Goodhope and it is doing very well.

I have been able to open a bank account and save money, buy a car and support myself financially. Gender Links helped me see the importance of saving money so that I can support myself and be financially stable. Before that I would use money without care. Gomolemo always tried to push us even though at times I wanted to give up, she would not let me. Keletso was very helpful in explaining the modules to us. Both these ladies helped us open email accounts as well teaching us on bookkeeping. They also taught us how to be able to spot market gaps in business and how to exploit them.

My family has been very supportive and helped me start my business. Now I am financially much better off than before and I can support myself and my son without depending on my family. They are happy for me and always ask me if I keep proper records and also advised me to have a good business name. They make sure I have all the requirements to run my business and ways to improve it. My friends always ask me if it was expensive to start my mobile clothing business and how much money they would need to join me.

The biggest challenge I experienced was when I applied for a government grant for my business; they took a long time to respond and then eventually rejected me. After waiting for more than three years, I decided to ask for money from my family so that I could start my business.

I would love to see my clothing business growing into boutiques, being able to create jobs for other Batswana and having a home for my son. I want to be able to provide good education for my son so that he becomes a good man when he grows up. I am grateful to Gender Links, particularly Gomolemo and Keletso for giving us this opportunity to grow in business and as individuals.