By Karabo Ntanzi
We caught up with the 31-year-old now business owner, Theodore Lekgetho, from the dusty streets of Barkley West. Who against all odds did not let circumstances affect his entrepreneurial spirit. Theodore being business-orientated ran his business from home, typing assignments for his colleagues.
Who inspired you to start your own business?
I grew up watching my mother and grandmother, who were running their businesses from their homes, selling snoek, sweets, ice blocks and alcohol.
Would you say business has always been in you?
From a fairly young age, my brother and I took over the reins and worked on my grandmother’s business during and after school. We extending the business by incorporating computer games.
What qualifications do you have?
After matriculating from Boresetse High School in 2006, I went to UCO College for a year to study A+ Computer Technician Course. However, I was forced to drop out due to lack of funds. In 2010 I got an opportunity to study for a Certificate in Data Capturing at Pretoria University. I have a Certificate in Monitoring and Evaluation from the University of Western Cape in 2015.
Tel us about your work experience?
I worked for a construction company in 2008 doing plumbing and bricklaying. That’s where I acquired construction knowledge.
In 2011 I was employed by the Department of Health as a Facility Information Manager at Prof ZK Matthews Hospital, a position I held for seven years.
How many businesses do you own?
I own Theo Networks Cyber-Cafe, an internet café and Blackprint Riches (Pty) Ltd, a construction company.
How did you attain your start-up capital?
I resigned from my job in 2017 and took R38 800 from my pension pay-out. I invested it in computers and a desktop printer and started an internet café from home. The first year was tough, the business barely covered overheads. The was a slight improvement in the second year.
I was able to break even. At the beginning of 2020 things took a turn for the better. The National Youth Development Agency assisted the business with new machinery and SEDA provided marketing material.
How has Covid 19 impacted your business?
Theo Networks Cyber-Cafe was hit hard by the Covid-19 Pandemic. The internet shop closed down during the lockdown period. Although it opened after two months, there were no clients because the country was still under lockdown.
How did you manage to stay afloat?
Fortunately, the construction company was appointed to subcontract in building the Rooirand Primary School.
How many employees do you have?
Blackprint Riches currently employs 20 people, while Theo Networks has two employees and one intern.
What are your aspirations?
Realising the need for computer literacy around my neighbourhood, led to researching the possibilities of establishing a computer training center.
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