Kereng: Banker, soldier-cum businessman
One of Botswana’s shrewd business personalities, Jimmy Kereng certainly fits American multinational cosmetics company manufacturer, Estee Launders’ description - “I never dream about success I worked for it”
True that, Kereng is not only innovative, industrious and gutsy, but has the nerve to see a business opportunity where many do not, an example being Roller’s shareholding.
When he committed all his five companies - the Prestige Group to ensure one of the top football clubs, Township Rollers continues to exist at a time when many thought it could be the end of it subsequent to parting with its former financier, Jag Dish. Being a shrewd businessman, a former military officer, commercial analyst, motor dealer, marketing guru, one of the most sought after employees, and now founder and sole director of Prestige group of companies, he simply resolved the issue of Township Rollers shareholding by coming aboard at a time of need.
Kereng, now confirmed President of Township Rollers, formed a company called Popa Popa Investments of which he holds 80 percent shares with 20 owned by the Society.
The good news is not only that he opened shops where merchandising is being sold, but also that he negotiated with Ambro to reduce the prices of the replica jerseys, as well as extended Prestige parlour to work closely with other football teams where policies are concerned.
The kind-hearted Kereng has always had the love to share his money with the community. While still working, he used to sponsor a local team, Ramotswa Home Defenders where he earned the nickname, Patrice Motsepe.
A native of Ramotswa, Kereng studied at the University of Botswana (UB) where he graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration. After completing his degree, he joined the Botswana Defence Force (BDF), as an officer Cadet in 1992 and completed in 1993.
'But, to my surprise I was immediately selected for a Platoon Commander’s course, despite being procedurally a preserve for high-ranking officers,' he said. Although he did put a brave face, he was not comfortable to be in a class with seasoned officers while he was still relatively new.
'That made me to work hard and came out as the best student of the class. As an officer in 1994, I was one of the pioneers who formed the BDF Welfare Fund.
“Our decision was influenced by the fact that we wanted to bridge the gap on how best to assist our BDF soldiers that were serving on international peace keeping mission such as Somalia and Mozambique.
“Our mandate was to help soldiers to get loans from different service providers be it furniture shops, motor dealers, among others.'
Kereng spent 14 years in the army retiring at the rank of Captain, subsequent to being headhunted by the then Barclays Bank now ABSA to manage some of their flagship schemes introduced at the headquarters in 2006.
This was certainly the beginning of great things to come, as the bank promoted the high-flyer Kereng every six months, until he took the position of branch manager.
Being the hard worker that he is, he moved to yet another commercial bank, Banc ABC also after being head hunted.
The industrious Kereng who enjoys reading every now and then truly lives by a quote from the third President of the United States, Thomas Jefferson: “I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have”.
Kereng quit formal employment, ventured into business of supplying fruits and vegetables. He landed a very big contract from his former employer, BDF. But still, being a man with a silver touch, another employer of repute
KIA Motors offered him an assistant General Manager marketing position.
He later joined Lyns Funeral Parlour as their business analyst, where he was part of the team that transformed and modernised the business, as well as changed its fleet, making it more appealing to clients.
However, In June 2019 Lynns restructured and left him jobless. That however, did not discourage him.
'I was thankful for I came out of Lyn’s well empowered. Part of my responsibilities was taking care of the northern region of Botswana including Limpopo region in South Africa where I was taking care of their branches.
“This is where I learnt the tricks and ways of how to quickly open up a funeral parlour. It took me only six months to open my first funeral parlour in Ramotswa.
“I followed up by opening a new branch every year, to date I have 12 outlets around the country and still going,' Kereng said.
The COVID-19 pandemic was the greatest challenge for the entire industry. Kereng recalls that most the serious challenge was getting stock of coffins and caskets.
“I was overwhelmed as you can imagine how many deaths occurred. I had to assist other parlours with my fleet of cars since I did not have stock”.
With lessons from COVID, he was determined to open more parlour outlets, hired more people, and went into partnerships with other parlours.
'This approach brought yet another trick, I realised that it is best to come up with other companies which will be able to provide a service to my Parlour.'
As a sole director Kereng formed several companies namely Gamahaja Holdings which imports caskets, Gama Insurance taking care of policies and Prestige Parlours which is a service provider for the two.
The fourth company is a Tswana classic which takes care of the construction side, builds and or renovates newly-acquired places.
'When I came aboard Rollers I had no assets, there was nothing that I inherited from the previous sponsorship. I had to ensure that the team does not disband, I asked the Rollers management what the team has since they did not have money.
“Their response was that they used to have a good relationship with Kaizer Chiefs. I then told them that I will resuscitate the relationship, we visited them and tentatively agreed with Kaizer Chiefs that they will come to play us in Botswana.'
'Bobby Motaung told me that they will send me their team’s needs. They asked us to take care of their flights, accommodation, and do everything that was needed and send proof of payment, which was around P700 000 as it was a negotiated price.'
Kereng recommended to Rollers that for the team to go far, they needed to start with the basics of sustaining themselves through bringing spectators to the grounds in order for them to appreciate progress.
This is what influenced the decision to buy two sets of players for commercial and tempo purposes as that would bring money.
Prestige now acts as a partner and a sponsor.
'We have opened gates for other sponsors that want to come aboard, for example, NTT Nissan was not involved in football, but they came aboard because of the partnership with Prestige”