ONE FOR THE ROAD

I suppose le o bone mokgokolosa! The popular Chema Chema Fund that has been spoken about is finally here. But please be weary! Some enterprising individuals are already getting set to suck and drain unsuspecting victims of their hard earned money through scams.

While there is excitement around how small business people can get funding, some are masquerading as officers designated to dispatch funds in order to rob unsuspecting victims.

Don’t be too trusting. Relevant government offices have now officially published not only requirements and guidelines for accessing this Fund, but also places where help can be sought. This information sector service is for any Motswana who has been sitting in his or her stagnant semausu for some time without any growth, or who has been running any small business that needs a little boost, as well as those with a brilliant idea to start a brand new business.

Unfortunately, Chema Chema Fund does not offer loans for bogadi bo-rra, hard luck. Some have been excited that finally they will be able go gorosa bana. It is strictly to support services to citizen informal businesses in the country.

Take note, they have warned, only two government institutions have been appointed to administer this initiative. The Local Enterprise Authority (LEA) that will deal with all process of registering and training all qualifying citizens, and the Citizens Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA), which will deal with the disbursement of funds after assessing the applications of qualifying applicants.

Unlike the highly anticipated mokgokolosa that was imagined to flood people’s bank accounts with money from God-knows-where, this fund, like all others will subject all applicants to operational processes to determine whether the business is viable and in a position to make it. It is not a mokgokolosa in the sense that money will be ‘poured’ into people’s accounts just for fun! And the most important thing is that no other person, company or entity has the authority to offer administrative services to those wishing to apply. You have been warned betsho! If in doubt double-check with the Ministry of Entrepreneurship and government offices around the country. You are not expected to pay for any training or to access the Fund, therefore wise up.

On another note, it is exciting that government has finally realised the need to establish a Fund that will cushion victims of mass causality incidents as announced by President Mokgweetsi Masisi last week at the memorial service of the departed 45. The new Motlamedi Disaster Emergency Fund is expected to go a long way in helping families affected in disasters of the magnitude of the Limpopo bus incident involving ZCC pilgrims.

There is nothing so disheartening like a family that has to face the challenge of losing a loved one and struggle financially to bury them. The wish is that such a Fund could have long been set up because unfortunately we cant read the future; therefore do not know when we might need such relief. As it is, the unfortunate families of the 45 are not going to benefit from this new Fund, as it has not been rolled out yet.