Self taught gear box doctor makes it

"Hey you big headed bush mechanic, repair my gear box now, now!!, I want to collect a lot of money from public servants who fear the bite of this cold winter season in the morning, roars a taxi operator.

"Dont worry, Im the gear box doctor," answers a red eyed strange figure, clad in tattered dusty overall splashed with grease and oil.

He is Mr Thabang Mosholombi aged 30 years who calls himself the doctor of vehicles gear boxes and diffs as he specialises in repairing them in Molepolole.

Mr Mosholombi was born and raised in Mathathane village in Bobirwa area in the Central District. He operates his business along Gaborone/Molepolole road opposite High Way Fresh Produce and LEA offices at Ga-Monametsana ward in Molepolole.

Entering the place, one is greeted by a big board with bold red letters, that read "Welcome to Mr Gear Box and Diff Hospital".

Thabang started his business from scratch while still residing in Selebi-Phikwe township in 2001. He learnt to repair gear boxes from a Japanese company where he was employed as a labourer.

He had never gone to any college to learn the art of repairing gear boxes. He just developed interest and absorbed the knowledge from the company and worked even harder until he reached the level of a mechanic.

He says he tried to get financial assistance from CEDA and LEA but due to little knowledge of the procedures he could not manage so he started business on his own from the money he got from his customers.

He bought his tools from the savings he made out of charging motorists who brought their gear boxes and diff for repair. He says during a good day he can make up to P1 000 and he handles different vehicles including trucks. He has employed two labourers.

"The only problem I have experienced is that some of my clients take too long to buy parts for repair of their vehicles," says Thabang.

People as far as Letlhakeng sub district and the surrounding villages visit him every day for repair, something he is proving excellent at doing.

Mr Oreeditse Lefatshe, one of the customers, indicates that he brought his two vehicles to Thabang and every thing went well because he never encountered any problems after he handled them.

Mr Nakedi Pholo, praises Mr Gear box for the good service he renders. He encourages him to look for financial assistance seriously because in that way, he will expand, employ more people, and be even more empowered as a youth. BOPA