Africa-Press – Botswana. Tailor shops in and around Gaborone were overwhelmed over the weekend as parents were buying stationery and school uniform for the children getting them ready for the first-term.
Press reporter Bakang Wren visited school uniform businesses in Gaborone to assess the situation, now that importation of school uniform has been prohibited for a year, which time could have been used by local tailors to prepare for the uniform buying peak season.
In her trip around the city she met Ms Nana Tsheko, a tailor at Nana Daisy Textile Centre at the New Stance Market
Ms Tsheko said she was satisfied with the business during this period, but hopes for government tenders to supply uniforms to orphans.
Despite the saturated market, Ms Tsheko continues to manufacture ready-made uniform for sale.
“I earn more than P1 000 on a good day now that schools are reopening,” she said.
Ms Tsheko’s clients come from various schools in Gaborone, including Gaborone West, Nanogang, Maikano junior secondary schools, and many others.
She also serves pupils from outside the city.
During the interview, Natasha Baatweng, a Form Three pupil from Kgale Hill Junior Secondary School, came with her parents to purchase a skirt, demonstrating a strong support for Tsheko’s business.
Meanwhile, at another uniform outlet in White City, over 150 parents and pupils were found queueing to buy uniform from the manufacturer, White City Discount.
In an interview, one of the managers, Ms Bitsang Mmolotsi, indicated that their company was one of the largest uniform suppliers in the southern part of Botswasna.
She said their busiest season was always in January, just before schools reopen.
With a staff compliment of 10, their strategy of having readily available uniforms has proven successful.
Despite facing challenges, Ms Mmolotsi acknowledged that their business was thriving because customers appreciated the quality of their material.
“We are the main distributors of uniform and schools often approach us to make uniform for them,” she said.
She also said they had worked with schools such as Tlogatloga, Kgale Hill, and Nanogang junior secondary schools for many years.
She added that they designed uniform for such primary schools as Camp at the Village.
She advised parents to buy school uniforms as soon as admissions for students are released to avoid the last minute rush.
“Many people come to our premises every year to buy uniform, so it is best to come early in the morning before 6am,” she advised.
KM Dress Maker in Broadhurst was also crowded with parents who had been waiting since early morning.
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