Picture: A local entrepreneur, Tshenolo Seboletswe together with her employees at her establishment/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
The owner of a Fast Food eatery, Tshenolo Seboletswe from Zone 3, in Itsoseng Township near Lichtenburg, welcomed the assistance she received from the North West Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism. Seboletswe received catering equipment from the department through Tourism Empowerment Programme.
“I am so grateful because this will significantly boost my business. The assistance came at a crucial time when my business was grappling due to the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and frequent power outages.
“I applied for funding to rescue my struggling business and I want to express my gratitude to the department. I believe that this assistance will not only revitalize my establishment, but it will also have a positive impact on growing the local economy,” she said.
The equipment received includes a mobile kitchen with a cart, a double barrel slush puppy machine, an ice cream machine, a popcorn machine, five food warmers, a display fridge, a manual donut maker, a double deep fryer, two sweet and chip shelves serving hatch, cutlery, and oven stove.
Seboletswe runs her business directly from her home and caters to a diverse clientele. She added that school learners, teachers, taxi drivers, and community members at large from Itsoseng, Verdwaal, and Bodibe areas frequent her establishment.
“Furthermore, we provide catering services for funerals, weddings, government functions, the unveiling of tombstones, and various parties. My journey as an entrepreneur, began after I was retrenched from The Star Bus Company in the early 90s.
“I was inspired by my late mother’s passion. She was running a successful local tavern known as Ko Ga Ghost. I started by cooking food for my mother’s clients. The positive feedback I received, motivated me to establish my own food outlet,” said Seboletswe.
She said, she does not only support her family through her business but also created employment opportunities for young people in the area. Seboletswe said, interestingly, the load shedding has inadvertently contributed to the growth of her business.
“I noticed that, during power outages, clients flock to my eatery to get a hot meal. My best-selling dish is bunny chow with chips, which garnered immense popularity. The slush puppy mock-tails I prepare for weekend gigs became a hit among the younger crowd.
“I start with preparations at 4am to cater for taxi drivers, commuters, and school children. With the department’s assistance, I plan to increase production, expand the customer base, and create more employment opportunities,” she said.
Seboletswe believes that the newly acquired equipment will add value to her business and bring her closer to realizing her dream of owning a self-sustainable catering enterprise and food outlet. She extended her heartfelt appreciation to the department and said, she is optimistic about the future.
Meanwhile, the North West Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism spokesperson, Jerry Matebesi said: “The DEDECT’s Empowerment Fund was established as part of its intervention of offering support to small businesses and cooperatives operating within the province with equipment worth R100 000 for start-ups and R200 000 for existing business.
“The fund excludes those in the liquor and gambling industries, costs associated with tendering, cost of acquiring property (including renovations) constructions, fire, and ammunition, primary agriculture, and transport.”
The Guardian 