Skip to main content

Botswana family open third Barcelos joint

Rail Park Mall’s Food Court got a boost on Saturday as Bobonong couple owned Barcelos opened doors to the third outlet. Taking guests on a journey that led to the opening of the third store Gaothobogwe Radikwata, Managing Director and mother of two said it wasn’t an easy road. “You may see us smiling but you don’t know what we went through,” she said and encouraged Batswana to start their own businesses. Barcelos representative Shaun Stoltz said in 1998 they embarked on an adventure which resulted in 103 outlets in 14 countries serving one million meals a month. Before cutting the ribbon to let invited guests feast on the flame grilled Portuguese menu Vice President , Honorable Ponatshego Kedikilwe said the opening of the shop was a testimony to growing participation by citizens in the country’s economy . In 2009 two Batswana couples formed a company, LEX Investments (PTY) LTD to purchase from their savings, and run Barcelos African Mall and Mogoditshane, but last year the other family was bought out of the business leaving the Managing Director and her husband Loeto Paul Radikwata as the only owners. “I note with appreciation the vigor, courage, perseverance, strength and negotiating skills employed to convince the bank that the project satisfied viability criteria. “I’m impressed that this company has employed 43 Batswana with 19 in Rail Park branch only. In addition, the company spends over P300 000 on a monthly basis purchasing products and services from local suppliers. These efforts are in support of government’s initiative of job creation and poverty eradication,” Kedikilwe said. MP Botsalo Ntuane said it was encouraging to see Batswana youth making it in business and questioned why franchises in Botswana were not in the hands of native. “Government should consider such things,” he said and promised; “We intend to take franchises to task for denying Batswana the chance. We can’t just be buyers only.”

Comments

Popular Post

ABM awards first Anglia Ruskin University Degrees

ABM University College held a graduation ceremony last Saturday at their campus in Gaborone Block 6 and awarded degrees to the first products of their partnership with UK based Anglia Ruskin University. The event was themed ‘Enhancing Entrepreneurship through appropriate Human Resource Development and guest of Honour, Tebogo Matome, CEO of Local Enterprise Authority said it called for introspection, specifically on the role of educational institutions in fostering creativity and innovation among students. He said to the students and their well-wishers; “There is consensus and common understanding that as a country we cannot make progress in our development, unless our human resource development is in consonance with our developmental needs. “It is also a fact that we cannot boast of first class entrepreneurs unless our universities become more entrepreneurial by doing more to foster an entrepreneurial culture within their students.” The five degree courses in business, accounting, fina...

KFC's star employee recognised

Last week Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) recognised and rewarded their star employee for the best and consistently outstanding customer service. Excited Lorato Mogorosi, 49, who is not new to recognition was given P5 000 and a bouquet of flowers to thank her and to encourage her and other employees to improve customer service. All managers of the eight KFC outlets around the country were invited to the function as well as those who had just joined the company. Mogorosi was recognised twice previously by the fast food outlet for her outstanding customer care and was also recognised for advancing one of the presidential D's for service delivery and became a star overnight. “We are here to celebrate somebody who epitomises what customer service is all about,” said Craig Donnelly, KFC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and owner. “Its something that she doesn't do on a weekly or monthly basis, its something that is done consistently and she has been doing it for many many years within...

School of war: Shoshong Senior Secondary teachers down tools after four colleagues fight with students

Terrified Shoshong Senior Secondary School teachers downed tools fearing the wrath of students who they claim have a hit list of teachers to beat up. Tension between the teachers and students exploded Monday after a student allegedly slapped a teacher in class and the teachers decided enough was enough. Apparently four teachers have already been beaten by the angry students. Since Monday the teachers have report for work every morning but headed straight for the multipurpose hall where they decided to stay until their grievances have been addressed. According to one teacher who preferred to remain anonymous they had written to the Regional Director for the central region requesting that he come and resolve their situation and were waiting for a response. “The school management seems to be happy with what’s going on here because nothing has been done about the situation. The culprits are still roaming in the school,” a teacher who preferred to be unknown to protect her job said. “We...