Women furniture manufacturers take industry by storm

Three young ladies, Ntebaleng Shatani, Kamogelo Order and Marriam Moloi formed a joint business to utilise their skills and create employment for other young people. Their company Super Ideas (Pty) Ltd specialises in manufacturing and maintenance of couches, sofas, chest of drawers, coffee tables and other furniture. They also repair damaged furniture. In an interview with the Business Trends, Shatani said they started the business because they had passion for running a business and they wanted something to do to earn a living because they were not working.

They started operating in February last year and they are based in Pilane. “The three of us had passion for business and it was at the time we were not working. We agreed that we will use skills we have to start up a business. I had business skills, another tailoring and the other carpentry skills,” said Shatani They were also inspired by other women succeeding in business. It was not difficult for them to start the furniture manufacturing business as they had worked in an upholstery shop and a tailor workshop. “We have the knowledge and experience of furniture manufacturing. Operating this joint business is very easy because each one has her skills required in manufacturing these products. Kamogelo and I worked for 10 months in upholstery shop while Marriam worked for three years as a tailor,” said Shatani. Shatani has a degree in Broadcasting and Journalism while Moloi and Order have Junior Certificates.

They were funded by Gender Affairs to the tune of P270 000.In the first year of operation they have realised that the market is still very good as there is high demand of furniture. “Many Batswana are continually buying furniture as they build new house and renovating. We are working hard to take our business to the next level and grow it,” she said. They are currently producing and selling in their shop in Pilane but they are planning to supply offices and shops this year. They are working as a team of four and they are planning to increase their team with men this year.

Among the challenges she said, is that sometimes the work is heavy as they are all ladies and they are the ones cutting wood and doing all the manufacturing work. Shatani said they are optimistic about their business and see themselves running a big furniture production company that will create jobs for Batswana. “We also want to expand our footprint and have more furniture shops around Botswana,” she said.