Chobe Holdings CEO, John Gibson has encouraged the Maun Business Collective’s first cohort of graduates to be resilient in their businesses; in order to navigate challenges and setbacks they may face in their journey.
Gibson said this during the Maun Business Collective Graduation Ceremony that was held in Maun last week.
The Maun Business Collective (MBC) was launched in November 2024 and it was created through collaboration between Chobe Holdings and Barefoot Business, to equip local entrepreneurs with essential business skills.
A total of seventeen dedicated entrepreneurs from Maun have completed this transformative business training program. The program’s intensive monthly training sessions focused on leadership, marketing and sales, financial management, compliance, team motivation, and long-term strategic business planning.
Beyond financial literacy and strategic planning, MBC also emphasises on leadership and relationship- building skills, ensuring that businesses not only grow but also thrive in a collaborative and sustainable way.
‘‘Business is about making mistakes, being resilient and carrying on, I am here because I made mistakes but I want people to learn from my mistakes so they do not make the same mistakes that I made,” said Gibson.
Gibson has stated that running a business comes with many challenges therefore it was important for the graduates to remain resilient and run their business in a way that allows for continuity. He urged the participants to practice financial literacy, budgeting and prioritise their businesses needs in order to run successfully. Gibson has also encouraged the graduates to establish partnerships in running their businesses.
He further stated that as Chobe Holdings they are deeply rooted within the communities they operate in, as such they are going to continue with the program for the benefit of the people.
Barefoot Business Co-CEO, Maika Kretschmer said that continuous development in learning is necessary, adding that they intend to continue with the program. She revealed that there is going to be a second cohort which will start sometime this year.
For his part North West District Council Chairman Itumeleng Kelebetseng said that the program is very important as it would play a part in contributing to a private sector led economy and create employment opportunities.
“This graduation is not the end of the road, you have to go there and work hard, there is a lot of competition out there, some of the competitors have been in the field for a long time, some of you are starting and you should not give up on your dreams, you should push hard and make sure that you fight to get where you want to be,’’ he said.
One of the program beneficiaries, Mokabedi Kaziyo who runs a hydroponic business has appreciated Chobe Holdings for the opportunity to enrol for the program, highlighting that it has shaped his entrepreneurial skills.
“The program has done a lot of transformation for me, it has reshaped my vision as I have learnt business values, my marketing skills have also improved,” he said.
Another graduate, Trevor Lindegger, noted that the training was a very incredible initiative that is going to benefit the entrepreneurs. He said that the program is a great opportunity for businesses to develop. Lindegger has expressed that the program had brought diverse entrepreneurs with different experiences and ideas, indicating that it was a platform for them to collaborate.
