POLOKWANE – Jonas Ngake’s journey started when he saw a need for high school learners to be exposed to the various career possibilities. He started helping with career guidance as he was in university at the time. That’s when he was sparked by an idea to turn it into a business.
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At the time he studied production management and after he completed his studies, he decided to register a company Mokgako Enterprise which was based on career projects. It was in 2010 when the business didn’t go as intended and he decided to revisit his passion for community building. He registered Merwalo Tourism and Associates, which focuses on school tourism. He has since branched from focusing on schools to creating family and small group leisure packages.
He explains he has not always had faith in the government’s development of small businesses.
“To be honest with you, I was distant with the Limpopo Tourism Agency (LTA). I had the perception that government officials are not hands-on in helping small enterprises to grow. Last year when they invited us to the speed marketing in Thohoyandou, I realised it was not fair as a business entity to play away with role players and I got closer to them in 2017 when I became an executive member of Polokwane Tourism and Associates. I saw the importance of the LTA, because you get a good network and access information without too much struggle to grow,” he said.
This is the second year Merwalo Tourism and Associates exhibited at the Africa’s travel indaba, but his first time attending. He gave one of his employees the opportunity to experience the prestigious event.
“She does the admin and I wanted to expose her to information at a higher level. I knew at some point I would also get the opportunity to come, because I am a permanent fixture in the business,” he said. He said the indaba is a powerful platform which exposes SMME’s to connections they need to grow. I managed to talk to the role players directly rather than telephonic conversations. You seal deals here and now, it’s a very good event. We are here with other service providers from Limpopo. The LTA’S approach this year is wonderful, but need us as business entities to come together, because as service providers we have to work together to make the perfect package,” he said.
