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Botswana: The Trailer Man
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Mmegi/The Reporter (Gaborone)
18 July 2008
Posted to the web 18 July 2008
Dan Mosekaphofu
Francistown
The deafening sounds of awelding machine and sparks flying all over pollute the environment at this place. Five men in helmets and convincingly dirtied overalls that have been permanently discoloured are the other thing that defines the landscape here.
A few metres from them are their finished products in the form of about five trailers of various sizes.
This is the home-cum-manufacturing workshop for 64 -year- old Thomas Chikore who is popularly known as 'Sesennye'. This man is a former Public transport service magnate who used to run a transport company known as Sesennye Bus Service hence the nickname 'Sesennye'.
After disappearing from the business scene for sometime the man has reincarnated himself as a leading trailer manufacturer. For this father of 15, running a business is what he enjoys most.
"Running a business is what I have always enjoyed in life. It is what defines joy and happiness in my world. After some challenges in the public transport business I decided to venture in to this kind of business," he discloses. For Chikore, " It is the ability of the individual to diagnose needs for a specific market segment that gives them the edge to succeed in whatever business adventure they embark upon."
Chikore reveals that the business started gaining momentum in 2005. "I started with small trailers and continued with my market research. When I realised that there was a potential for growth, in terms of the market share, I then decided to do trailers of various sizes," he says proudly about the beginning of what appears to be a lucrative venture. He says that his main customers include both the small stock farmers and cattle farmers. " Farmers are my main customers. They come here and place orders depending on their specific needs,' he declares boastfully.
The future of this business seems to be bright as Chikore discloses that his market share has now expanded beyond the borders. " I have managed to penetrate the market of neighbouring countries especially South Africa, Zimbabwe and Zambia. People from these places do come and buy my products," he says. As for the raw materials Chikore reveals that all the materials he needs for the production of these trailers are easy to get as they are available locally. " I simply place an order from the local shops and they deliver the material," he says.
He reveals that the prices for the trailers differ according to the size. " Prizes range from P13, 500 for medium sized to P15, 500 for big trailers. As for the smaller ones I am open to discussion depending on the customer's needs," he discloses.
Like any other venture, Chikore's business has some challenges that characterises its existence and general operations. He identifies the lack of a commercial plot and/or premises as one of the challenges that continues to act as a major hindrance to the growth of his business. " The fact that I don't have a workshop to operate in is my main problem. It is preventing me from giving all that I can to this world and most importantly to my country," he laments.
Chikore says the failure to secure a commercial plot has frustrated his attempts to get financial help from government schemes and programmes. " CEDA officials once visited my place after I applied for financial assistance. They however insisted that I should secure a plot before they could assist me in anyway," he explains.
He decries that the lack of a commercial plot has stalled his plans and programmes, particularly his apprenticeship programme. " I intend to impart this knowledge and skill to some of our youth to help alleviate the problem of poverty and unemployment. Unfortunately for now I can only engage four apprentices," he says.
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Despite the difficult terrain that his business seems to transverse at the moment Chikore is still cherishing a dream. " My dream is to have a large company that will have branches throughout the country. I also want to export these trailers throughout all over the world and contribute to the growth of the manufacturing industry in this country," he says as his parting short.
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| Copyright © 2008 Mmegi/The Reporter. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections -- or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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