By Karabo Ntanzi
Pictures by: Rebaone Prophy
Go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O38R8Eg2cqs for the full interview
It has been a long and challenging road for Professional Nurse and founder of Tsoseletso Healthcare clinic, Keoweditse Moremedi. She is running her health practice in the well-patronised Galeshewe small business hub in Kimberley.
Moremedi won a business pitch competition in 2022 hosted by Township Entrepreneur Alliance (TEA), sponsored by Nedbank. “I could not believe it when my name was called as the winner of the grand prize”, exclaimed Moremedi.
“I remember the requirement was to upload a one-minute video clip pitching your business concept. It was not easy at that time as I was in Kuruman, visiting my mom and did not have any resources but managed to submit”, she reminisced.
The petite mother of two daughters was born and grew up in Tsineng Village, Kuruman, under very difficult conditions. Things were so harsh for the Moremedi family that she started schooling at the age of nine.
As a young girl, Moremedi wanted to be a medical doctor. However, she could not fulfill that wish due to her matric marks.
After matriculating in 2001 from Galaletsang Science High school in Mothibistad, she did odd jobs for five years. “After more than three years of unsuccessful responses to my applications, including being declined at the Henrietta Stockdale Nursing College in Kimberley because by then Kuruman was in the North West province”, she explained.
Eventually, she was accepted at Excelsius Nursing College in Klerksdorp, where she studied towards a Diploma in Nursing Science and Midwifery.
The Excelsius Nursing College opportunity came at the right time because Moremedi had money that she had received from a temporary job as an invigilator. This money enabled her to purchase the necessary books and uniforms.
After completing her studies at Excelsius, she and some classmates performed their community service at Mamosa Community Clinic in Klerkdorp. However, at the end of the training, only her peers were absorbed. Keoweditse did not sit and mope over it.
In 2013 she improved her qualifications by doing a certificate in Healthcare Manager.
She applied to the then-Kimberley Hospital, currently known as Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital (RMSH) and was accepted.
She worked for RMSH for two years until an incident happened at her house. “I was on night duty at the pre-natal ward when I noticed several missed calls from my daughters. When I returned the call, they told me a snake was in the house.
I explained my predicament to my superior, but she was adamant that I could not take time off to be with my daughters as a mother was about to give birth. Fortunately, the Gynaecologist in charge allowed me to go home”, said Moremedi.
The following day she decided to tender her resignation and served her notice without any plans. Fortunately, a few weeks later, she went for an interview at a retail store and was lucky to be offered a job. Her intention to work in the retail environment was part of her research as sby then already, she knew she wanted to open her own clinic.
Two years later, she resigned from the retail store and started acquiring the necessary documents to open Tsoseletso Healthcare Clinic, “a daunting task, but eventually, here I am”, she remarked.
Her advice to aspiring entrepreneurs and others is, “never give up on your dream”.
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