Youngster find niche in cattle hauling business
Mothusi Sekepe, explains to Farmers Review’s Orapeleng Mashila that Custom-hauling cattle for farmers is a good business. He started his business in 2011 shortly after completing his Form 5 studies at Matsha College with help from his parents who “topped” up the little money he had saved to purchase four trailers.
It takes creativity to recognise a problem and come up with a solution for it. That’s what entrepreneurship is all about. That’s what entrepreneurs thrive on. Offering vital and creative solutions to everyday life struggles. That’s exactly what a 26 year old Mothusi Sekepe from Kang did. Born and bred in the small town located along the Trans Kalahari highway, Mothusi was able to identify the gap in transport and logistics for farmers in his region. Kang is located in an area characterized by intensive livestock farming and Mothusi has established a profit generating livestock trailer hire business, and has managed to corner this lucrative niche market.
While a lot of Mothusi’s business comes from farmers in Kang and surrounding villages, his trailers are so in demand that he gets customers hiring them from as far as Jwaneng, Ghanzi and even Gaborone. “Farmers love my trailers because due to their dual axle, they place less weight on the vehicle drawbar.” He elaborates
Prices start from P250 per day. “If I bring his own transport to tow the trailer I charge the customer P300 per cow.” He says. He goes on to explain that the prices can become lower due to discounts given to clients who hire the trailers for a longer period. The same applies to known and trusted customers especially those that previously returned the trailer on time and in good shape.
The trailers spot heavy-duty wheels, and the tires are 14 ply. “This gives us good carrying capacity, and we’ve got more stopping power with the bigger brakes as well” says Mothusi. “Tire blowouts are common with stock trailers, but we’ve only had two flats in the last 10,000 kilometres and that was a result of nails.” Elaborates Mothusi
The floor of the trailer is made up of mashed steel. This particular floor is advantageous because it gives cattle secure footing, reducing the chances of them slipping. This gives them more confidence upon setting foot inside the trailer, and, thus, they tend to load and unload easily and safely. “The mashed steel basically adds a layer of cushioning to the floor that makes it more comfortable for the cattle to stand.” explains Mothusi. He adds that contrary to what many might think, the floor is also easy to clean.
Before a trailer leaves the yard Mothusi conducts a thorough assessment to make sure everything is in working order – brakes, lights, tyres, floor, tailgate and body. It is then agreed with the customer that, should the trailer come back damaged in anyway, the customer will have to pay to have the damaged part repaired or replaced. “Most people are fine with this arrangement but like in any business now and then we encounter clients who try to wrangle out of the agreement” he says.
That’s why, according to Mothusi, it’s very important for an entrepreneurs to know their clients and to do a good pre-hire check on the trailer before it leaves the yard. The cost of a new trailer tyre can go up to P800 and costs due damages can add up quickly so one needs to be clear about what happens if something gets damaged.
Mothusi says his long term plan is to grow his business to cover the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. “My vision is to see my company acquiring long distance haulage trucks to transport livestock across the entire SADC region, creating employment in the process.” He concludes.
