Testimony of a LEA beneficiary

The occasion was the official opening of the LEA Regional Office located across from Thapama Hotel in Daukom House last Tuesday.

'I had gone to the Local Enterprise Authority (LEA) offices last July 24 seeking funding as I did not have any knowledge of the services they provided,' Sebina said to thunderous applause from other entrepreneurs and LEA stakeholders.

'I was told that LEA only provides expert guidance of establishing a business. I went through a gruelling interview which later saw me qualify to receive the expert guidance from LEA.'

Sebina then contacted people to see how much potential market was there for another car rental company - individuals and companies.

'This type of business occurred to us while holidaying in Namibia where our hotel was near a car rental business, Budget Car Rentals, which could not provide a single car on demand because they were all taken,' he said.

He and his partner underwent training in how to draft a business plan which was co-sponsored by LEA and themselves. 'We met potential sponsors from the Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA) and commercial banks.Five months later when they had their business plan, they approached commercial banks and CEDA for financing. But after our presentation, there was a provision for possible bank charges which was omitted from the business plan,' Sebina recalls. 'It took us a while before CEDA finally approved the plan. During this time, we were regulars at the LEA offices where we were promised that all would be well.

'In April this year, after nine months of waiting patiently, the good news came that CEDA had finally approved our proposal. We had asked for about P1.7 million to start the business, but CEDA could only fund up to P1 million,' he said. They had to raise about P200, 000 to fulfil their dream.

It was not until May this year that the company bought its first five vehicles - four 4x4 double cabs and one VW car. 'Due to demand, we were forced to add our personal Mercedes Benz to the small fleet,' he says. 'And last July, we opened our office at the upmarket address of The Village Mall off the famous Blue Jacket Street. And a website too!'Our marriage with LEA grew from strength to strength to the point where it once chose us to go and represent other entrepreneurs in Gaborone. We received mentoring from both LEA and CEDA for effective management of the loan.'Destiny Car Rentals has been featured in a Duma FM interview as a means of raising its business profile.

'One of our strengths is that we follow our clients through and through to ensure that they are comfortable for the duration of their trips,' he said. 'Because of our exceptional service, our sales have surpassed our target from the month of July when we made over P200,  000 in profit.'

Infact, it was Sebina's story that would later inspire the Assistant Minister of Trade and Industry, Duke Lefhoko, to appeal to financial institutions to the red tape and get on with the business of assisting Batswana.