- The pioneer behind the Kwa Ga Ncinci food brand
A feisty go getter, resolute and focused – best define Ncinci Moitsadi Motsemme, a Molepolole born entrepreneur, whose childhood passion for the kitchen has driven her to Maun to start up a business she has refused to let go even under the most difficult of situations.
Moitsadi who runs a popular eatery ‘Kwa Ga Ncinci’ did not allow the rough patches she went through in her business journey define her, she persevered throughout the challenges, even where others opted to closed shop.
After operating for a few years in Gaborone where she launched her business in 2014, Moitsadi was forced to close the restaurant following a family loss. In Gaborone the versatile Chef, had already made herself a name as the then pop up restaurant became the talk of town attracting even the movers and shakers of Gabs -City.
This was not by chance because she believes in offering her customers a unique mouth-watering food which always resulted in them coming back for more of the indulgence. By then the restaurant was operated under a tree which became the brand mark of her business logo.
Moitsadi thereafter relocated to Maun, a place she calls home because she has over 20 years relationship with it starting from the days when she was still a student in 1999. In Maun she opened another restaurant still under her brand and as usual a year later the business gained traction with customers frequenting the area.
Despite the hype, this was not what Moitsadi dreamed of because the business was heading towards a different direction she did not conceptualise. “It was no longer a food place but it had now turned into a pub, a bar type of thing not a food stuff that I wanted it to be,” she told The Weekender.
As if that was not enough, Moitsadi later lured in an investor who according to her would later turn against her and took over the restaurant in a month time. “When I lost the restaurant I was down and out, it was a very difficult time for me,” she remembered.
Moitsadi however found solace in the fact that she had built a food brand that was able to sustain her during tough times as she would frequently be engaged by people and companies for her food services.
Luckily in 2021 she received a call from a certain businesswoman who reignited her passion and offered her a place for rent and she would later get a financial assistance for a starter up from one of the local financial parastatals. Though it wasn’t that easy to bounce back, fast forward to today Moitsadi is however delighted to be back in business and has everything under control.
The new spot for ‘Kwa Ga Ncinci’ is strategically located along the Sir Seretse Khama road towards Maun’s New Mall, right opposite Nhabe Museum and the versatile chef has not disappointed but continues to amaze her customers with delectable fresh food.
Many prefer ‘Kwa Ga Ncinci’ either to unwind or have mouth-watering meals and drinks because it’s a lovely quite spot with a great ambiance. The place has a quiet intimate and stylish setting with dimmer lightings and warm décor.
Though things are promising for Moitsadi she has however shared that one of the obstacles she is still facing is lack of support on the basis that her business is woman and black owned while some locals still perceive her as not one of their own because of her origins from the southern part of the country.
Among other challenges she revealed is shortage of proper equipment that if available would help quicken her delivery. That as it may, she has since urged government and relevant stakeholders to come up with deliberate policies that will help support local businesses.
