COMP ENG. GRADUATE MANUFACTURES PLASTIC, CREATES EMPLOYMENT
FRANCISTOWN: To overcome dire economic disruptions and disembark the youth unemployment wagon, a Botswana Accountancy College (BAC) graduate, Oratile Mdojwa has explored his talent and creativity to settle on the lucrative plastic manufacturing sector.
The 29-year-old from Serule, the youngest of his six siblings, came up with the profitable business idea to help the government curb the unemployment crisis in the country. Trading under Boago Outsource As Amazing Industries (Pty) Ltd, the money-making business operations are based in Selebi-Phikwe, at Bamangwato Industrial Estates.
Mdojwa told Business Monitor that they specialise in manufacturing plastic packaging of different types ranging from carrier bags, refuse bags, bailer bags and flat opening plastic bags.
He said through the financial assistance from the Citizenship Entreprenueral Development Agency (CEDA) in 2019, their business managed to be fully operational since August 2020.
He stated that even though the company just had its first anniversary, they have been involved in the plastics business since 2013, but for most of the time, research and fund-sourcing for the project were the focus.
The entrepreneur added:
“We ventured into this business because we realised that there was a great potential as there is a significant gap, which we believed we had the capacity to fill”. He shared that currently, the profitable business can make 30,000 units in a day. He indicated that they have about four permanent employees, but mostly engage casual workers so that they can meet the demand for their products. Mdojwa said he does not have experience in plastic manufacturing but found it fitting to engage the best minds that have extensive experience in the production of plastic. Mdojwa is a graduate of Computer Engineering from BAC. He added: “From a young age I have always dared to be different. Whilst my friends during my early childhood would be building wire cars, I on the other hand would make aeroplanes. Perhaps this need for bigger and better things was cultivated from there, a chance not only to be different but also make a meaningful contribution to the world”.
He noted that the major challenge that they
face is penetrating the market because they are still familiarising themselves with the market, which has been serviced by well-established competitors.
He added that other challengess in the business include sourcing raw materials from suppliers, which are all outside Botswana. Mdojwa revealed that they get their raw materials such as low density polyethylene (LDPE), high density polyethylene (HDPE) and recycled low density polyethylene from South Africa.
He indicated that their main competitors are KPI, Sun Plastics, Teemane, Crown Plastics and MW Packaging. He added: “We beat our competitors at their own game by producing best quality products in terms of strength, durability and high quality printing that can be competitive in this cutthroat business.
We also engage our clients by taking their feedback from the plastics we have supplied in order to produce products that best satisfy our customer’s needs”.
The entrepreneur said in future they want to increase their market share and introduce revolutionary plastic packaging. He urged the youth to never give up on their dreams because he did not possess any experience in manufacturing, but he was determined to work hard to make it.
He said he invested more time and resources in extensive research followed by a series of failures in getting the financial assistance needed. He eventually, due to determination and perseverance, received his breakthrough through funding from CEDA. He expressed gratitude to company shareholder, Mmoloki Rapoo for his continued support in the day-today running of the business.