Entrepreneurs are spark plugs of the economy

A delegation of four young entrepreneurs arrived last Friday from India after completing a two-month entrepreneurship course courtesy of ‘Shoshong, Your Investment Destination.’ Entrepreneurs occupy a central position in a market economy.

For it’s the entrepreneurs who serve as the spark plug in the economy’s engine, activating and stimulating all economic activity. The economic success of nations worldwide is the result of encouraging and rewarding the entrepreneurial instinct that’s why  the organisation, ‘Shoshong, Your investment  Destination’ sent the four young people to India to learn more  on how to  develop businesses as well as learn about the Indians’ entrepreneurial culture. 

On December 1 2015 three ladies were sent to India and graduated in Women and Enterprise Development course which ran for two months. Another group of delegates  was also sent to India and graduated in a Trainers Trainee on Entrepreneurship and Promotion of Income Activities.

One of the participants, Lentle Tshiriletso told Business Trends that she has learnt a lot in India especially on how women manage to sustain their lives through their talents and skills. “They are not just basing on the government like us Batswana but rather they create jobs for themselves,” she said. It is very clear that in Botswana most women are so exposed to poverty though they have skills and talents that they use to sustain themselves.

Tshireletso observed that in India women take entrepreneurship more seriously and businesses are found everywhere even in small villages. “People with businesses do form groups and work together, cooperating, something that helps them to succeed.” Kelebile Gasenna said they observed that the use of technology is another factor for success in enterprises.

“In India the entrepreneurs use social media to market themselves and they have online shopping which makes it easier for them. Having access to Internet makes it easier for them to interact with customers all the time,” she said.

On future plans they said they will implement what they have learnt in India here at home by training people and encouraging Batswana to use their skills.  For his part, Nicholas Mokongwa, one of the organisers of the trip said they intend to send more locals to India to gain business skills, which they can use to transform their communities. India is known for its robust SMMEs sector.