Central SA
Female Free State entrepreneur rises above all odds─── KEKELETSO MOSEBETSI 12:13 Sun, 03 Dec 2023
“Instead of complaining, a brave, courageous and young unemployed graduate willing to work hard instead of complaining by doubting the efforts to grow and sustain business.”
A young Free State entrepreneur has worked hard to turn her life around and become one of the most successful people in the province.
The founder of Warona Food Enterprises Pty (Ltd), Bokang Lehloenya, comes from humble beginnings in Thandanani 2010, at Thabong in Welkom. She established her business in March 2021 with nothing in her bank account. She, however, managed to rise above all odds by starting to produce 20 x 500ml bottles of WA RONA-MOTOHO WA SEBELE, a soft traditional porridge now on the shelves of well-known retail stores.
Free State Destea's Head of Communications, Mojalefa Mphapang, said Lehloenya approached the Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda), which assisted her with nutritional value. Thereafter, she went to the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), where she attended a week of training. She attained a certificate to apply for further assistance. An agency assisted her with a two-door fridge and a Wendy house where she could run her business.
Bokang Lehloenya. Photo supplied
“Lehloenya continued to approach local supermarkets around Welkom, requesting them to allow her products on their shelves. About three of the mainstream business outlets agreed to her proposal but she could not meet their demand-supply because each requested a minimum of 500 bottles of porridge per day and she could only supply 100 bottles due to transportation challenges and insufficient stock.”
“Due to her passion for business, she then applied and approached the department (Destea) for further assistance. The department responded positively by providing her with the value amount of R300 000 to procure a NP 200 bakkie, additional stock, and payment processes to ensure that her product is SABS approved," said Mphapang.
Bokang Lehloenya is now able to meet the demand. Photo supplied
Meanwhile, Lehloeenya is now working with five employees and can meet the demand-supply by producing 500 bottles of porridge per day. She plans to employ more people as soon as other mainstream economic players come on board. Her recent achievement includes R100 000 which she won on 18 November 2023 at the National Presidential SMMEs based in the township, newly formed businesses that display vision, creativity and innovation in breaking ground within respective operating markets.
Destea MEC Thabo Meeko applauded Lehloenya on being one of the young business people contributing immensely to creating an inclusive rural economy in line with the National Development Plan, particularly in translating its job creation objectives into reality.
