Wilberforce Finds Life In Steel Work
Tell us about yourself and your business
My names are Wilberforce Dolph Ntsenang from Rakops village in Boteti region. I was born and raised in Orapa, I schooled in Orapa and attended tertiary education at Gaborone Technical College. My business started in 2010 when I was still working for a company called Tau Steel Enterprises. As it is said that ‘you start small’, I started buying my equipment first then came up with new ideas in steel work, and God answered me.
How is your business doing in the market?
So far my business is doing well, despite the fact that when I come up with a new idea some boiler makers buy my products, copy and design them for selling. But I still receive so many orders around Botswana, e.g the steel wood stove will be distributed and end of this month, I already have over 100 customers interested in the wood stove.
How different are you from your competitors?
I am very different from my competitors because I work hard to develop my products. I work hard to market my products and I even goggle on the internet to ask Chinese craftsmen ways to develop my products. It’s the reason my business performs better in steel industry. I also price my products reasonably despite steel prices go up every day.
What has been your greatest achievement to date?
I have achieved so many things through my business. I have managed to buy a farm with savings from my business.
What strategies do you use to keep the business going?
I always make sure that I buy enough materials well in time so that my customers find ready made products and this strategy keeps the business going.
What is the most difficult part about your business?
It is when I initiate innovation and people start copying it including the name and claim that it’s theirs. As Batswana, we can’t grow if we are going to take that root and I know that soon many people will claim this wood stove is their own concept.
What makes you to wake up every day to go to your business?
My love for steel work pushes me every day to go and make something new for my customers so that I can be able to feed my family and give back to the needy.
Where do you see your business in future?
I see my business growing in future especially after moving to my farm where I want to set up a big workshop.
If you could choose any job anywhere, where would it be?
Hahahaa… I would choose China because there is a lot of creativity there.
If you have three words to describe yourself what would it be?
Dreamer, innovative and lovely
Duncan Sebeso 
Takudzwa Joylene Chigura 
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