Breathing Life Into Botshabelo

Entrepreneur brings the shopping experience to residents’ doorstep.

- Thulisa Mangcotywa

RESIDENTS of Botshabelo in the Free State will no longer have to travel far to do their shopping as the area now boasts its very own shopping centre thanks to businessman, Neo Masithela.

About 85% of the mall space has already been occupied in less than six months since the mall opened. Over 800 permanent jobs have been created by the 67 retailers who have made the mall their home, something Neo and his team are proud of.

HOW IT ALL STARTED 

Neo started his entrepreneurial journey over 34 years ago, juggling two jobs as a sales person and a photographer in his hometown of Heilbron, Free State. This was before he even obtained his first tertiary qualification in public relations through a private college. Little did he know that these small beginnings would one day accelerate him to one of the most highly respected entrepreneurs of our time.

He put his entrepreneurial aspirations on hold when he dedicated his skills in serving government for two decades. However, most of his work in government still involved small, medium and micro enterprise development both at local and provincial government. But in 2002, while still in government, the entrepreneurial bug bit him again.