27 Aug 2017

Many young people have business ideas but with the lack of know-how, the realisation of their ideas remains far-fetched while unemployment among the youth continues to grow.

But that is not the case with 26-year-old Mr Mothusi Sekepe who has risen to the challenge by identifying a market gap in his location and establishing a profit generating livestock trailer hire business.   

In an interview recently, Mr Mothusi said his business was propelled by the fact that government and big corporate companies alone could not provide the number of jobs required by many young Batswana entering the job market every year.

“Other than that I always wanted to set up my own business, be my own boss and bring a solution to shortage of livestock transport in Kgalagadi,” explained Mr Mothusi.

Mr Mothusi said he started his business in 2011 shortly after completing his Form Five at Matsha College, explaining further hat his parents augmented the little money he saved to purchase four trailers.

Growing up in a farming area, Mr Mothusi spotted a niche in the market for trailer hire and after doing some research, he found out that no one was offering a similar service in the south east area.

“The concept of the business is to give fellow farmers an option who may need a good size trailer for a day or a week for transporting cattle, goats and other livestock,” he explained.

He made contact with some of the common trailer manufacturers for instant purchase.

Key to his success was being able to offer a good range in terms of brand, size, shape and function of trailer.

Mr Mothusi trailers are in demand by farmers due to their dual axle which  helps to place less weight on the vehicle drawbar.

There have been trailers hired out to farmers as far away as Jwaneng and Ghanzi while a lot more business takes place closer to home in Kang and surrounding villages.

Prices for trailer hire range from P250 per day.

If Mr Mothusi brings his own transport to tow the trailer he would charge the customer P300 per cow.

The price would be on the lower end of that range if the hire period is longer.

The price is also lower for a known, trusted customer looking for repeat business and who previously returned the trailer in good condition after the hire period was up.

Before a trailer leaves the yard a thorough check is carried out to make sure everything is in working order, brakes, lights, tyres, floor, tailgate and body.

 It is agreed with the customer that should the trailer come back damaged in anyway, the customer would have to pay to have the damaged part repaired or replaced.

“Most people are fine with this but the odd time you end up having arguments,” revealed Mr Mothusi.

“That’s why it’s important to know a bit about your customer and to do a good pre-hire check on the trailer before it leaves the yard. The cost of a new trailer tyre can be P800. It adds up quickly so you need to be clear about what happens if something gets damaged,” he said.

Mr Mothusi said his main aim was to grow his business to a point of acquiring long haulage trucks to transport livestock across SADC countries. ENDS