Tebogo Moloi | Oakantswe Construction and Projects

Tebogo Moloi | Oakantswe Construction and Projects

Programme sponsor: Huawei

“The most important thing I learned was to work on my business and not just in it”

A lack of electricity in rural areas inspired Tebogo Moloi to start her own business, Oakantswe Construction and Projects, which specialises in electrical installations and maintenance, as well as building renovations and maintenance.

“We really saw a need for it. What motivated us was to see happy faces once we had switched on the electricity,” she says. Today, her 100% women-owned company employs five people.

When she first started, her biggest challenge was obtaining funding and finding the right technical team. Entering and winning a number of business competitions took care of the funding while a business-development programme sponsored by Huawei took care of the rest. During the programme, powered by Raizcorp, Tebogo took part in learning and guiding (mentoring). “While I was on the programme, the most important thing I learned was to work on my business and not just in it. I had to put proper processes and systems in place,” she says. In the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, she was taught to create a detailed continuity plan and cashflow forecast. “This helped me sustain ongoing operations. I now understand my financials and this has accelerated my revenue growth,” she says.

Her advice for other entrepreneurs is to never stop learning. She adds, “Focus on solving a problem and the money will flow.”

In a grateful message to her sponsor she says, “Thank you for affording me the opportunity to learn and upskill myself. With all the support and guiding I’ve received I have managed to grow my business to where it is today. The insight, passion and attention to detail I received was amazing,” she concludes.