29 Jun 2015

The Recipe Restaurant managing director, Tshepho Gabatshwarwe, has attributed the success of her business to government support and visionary leadership.

A fervent cook from Mmaphulana ward in Moshupa is of the opinion that the country’s leadership is visionary and does not shy away from helping the youth hence initiatives geared towards improving their standard of living and livelihood.

Successful in her own right, Gabatshwarwe runs a successful restaurant she set up with funds  from the Youth Development Fund to the tune of P15 000 in 2005 with a staff complement of three.

In 2008, she says, she applied for funds to expand the business but government did not hesitate helping her with P48 300 which she used to buy furniture that is a magnet to customers.

She owns a huge chunk of land and structures she acquired through government assistance and intends to lease it to the youth at a reasonable price to enable them to run viable projects.   

The passion, drive and love for business have propelled Gabatshwarwe to establish The Recipe Restaurant, a complex which also houses another young entrepreneur, Tshegofatso Nkweyakgosi, who is selling soft drinks.

Coming from humble beginnings, the 32-year-old expresses gratitude for what government has done for her and hopes it could be extended to other youth.
She says she cannot stop preaching to other people about the good things she received under the programme.

“I am really grateful to Botswana government. It took me from nothing and propelled me to who Iam today,” says an elated Gaolatlhe.
She says government decisions make business and financial sense because buying equipment is expensive.

Furthermore, she says what also fulfills her is that she has created employment for other people.

Armed with only Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE) at the time of starting the business, she now boasts several certificates from business workshops organised by government.

She adds that such courses contributed immensely to her grasp of business concepts. Her market includes individuals, central government and councils, emphasising that there is no threat to the business given people need to eat every day.

Gaolatlhe believes her business is strategically located to attract customers, adding quality of service is critical for business success.

Her customers are mostly teachers and when schools are closed business is slow but she has come up with a strategy to bridge the gap.

She, therefore, challenges the youth to utilise government programmes to better their lives, adding success does not come easy and is not everybody’s cup of tea which calls for a lot of patience and perseverance.

She says government is willing to work with the youth and therefore they should avail themselves for such a partnership for their own benefit. Ends