Showa the pallet Architect
WeekendLife
A seed was planted which eventually grew to become the enterprise whose mission entailed beautifying the spaces we reside in whilst productively adding value to the customer lifestyle in the process, a 100% citizen owned furniture and interior design company, The Pallet Lifestyle and Décor is 24 year old fourth year student in Business Administration Management with the University of Botswana and Matshelagabedi’s own Ndedani Thusang Showa’s vision.
Showa identified a niche in the market of furniture designs when he caught realization through his sister an event manager who sourced most of her furniture from the famous pallet sites of Old Naledi residence. “I saw an opportunity in that and researched more about pallet designs, watched YouTube videos and made acquaintance with the same people my sister was buying from to broaden my self-induced knowledge,” he shares. He reveals that when he decided to venture into the pallet design business he had nothing including zero skills to no equipment except passion and commitment and through that, he financed his startup from the school allowance and his parents helped in the procumbent of equipment.
“In the year 2017, I went back to the Old Naledi guys to get people to work with and started the Pallet Guys which later rebranded to The Pallet Lifestyle and Décor as a backyard workshop based in Tlokweng. We started well through the hook up of my sister who was already in the event management industry thus redirected more clientele to us,” Showa added.
The Pallet Lifestyle and Décor is a company that touches every aspect of lifestyle décor which includes manufactures for cooperate, small scale ventures, interior and architectural designs maximizing its limit to fifty individuals for big events designs in order to maintain good quality produces. Their clientele includes individuals, guest houses, and most catering companies around Gaborone and as far as Francistown and Tsabong. Property owners are also a hit with PLD as they do apartment partitioning, kitchen fittings, wine racks, custom door designs, bedroom suites, indoor and outdoor furniture all constructed with an excellent finish.
Though wood from the pallets they buy from firms around Gaborone is the main organ of the furniture they make Showa relays that “we wanted to diversify and vary from the already available pieces in the market, so in the year 2018, steel and glass was added as our complimentary materials to zest the appeal of our works” adding that “as home styles have evolved over the years, The Pallet Lifestyle Décor has evolved too by keeping up with the lifestyle trends.”
As an imprint of their mission which is to provide elegant and exquisite furniture ensuring clients to get more than they expected, and to partition themselves from the similarities of the business they are in, a personal approach is embedded as they “strive to give our clients excellent customer service by actively engaging them in the ongoing process of their projects and are encouraged to visit the workshop during the designing phase up to the finished products,” tells Showa.
Social media while some use it as a ‘leisure’ platform, The Pallet and Lifestyle Décor has for the past two years been sourced out and recruited every client either through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram leading to the creation of employment which today sits at a team of three carpenters and two labor workers.
Closing, Showa shares with Weekendlife that her further visions to be Botswana’s leading furniture manufacturing company with a global reach and the best quality yet flexible cost options tailored to the customer’s budgetary needs without compromising and overall design message.
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BOTSWANA TO HOST MISS WORLD 2026
Even though Botswana has over the years been performing extremely poorly at the Miss World competition, the country has confirmed that it will be hosting the beauty festival in 2026. Initially, the country was to host Miss World next year, something it failed to confirm before deadline. Director at Miss Botswana, Benjamin Raletsatsi, says Botswana will be ready then to host all participants. Miss Botswana Top 25 finalists left the boot camp yesterday. Quite shocking though, Miss Botswana team is still failing basics as responding to media inquiries on time yet it is dangerously hoping to host an event of high status
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DJ Sway ‘saved’ the YAMAs
DJ Sway, the daring and ambitious on-air presenter of Yarona FM, played a crucial role in saving the radio station’s music awards, known as the YAMAs. The event was initially dry and disorganized, but DJ Sway, who co-hosted with Pearl Thusi, injected life into the show. However, things took a turn for the worse when Pearl Thusi abruptly left the stage, leaving DJ Sway to carry on alone. Despite the unexpected setback, DJ Sway rose to the occasion and captivated the audience, effectively putting an end to the drama caused by Pearl Thusi.
In an exclusive interview after the YAMAs, DJ Sway revealed the behind-the-scenes chaos that unfolded during the event. He acknowledged the script editors, Phalana and Hope, who worked tirelessly to reedit the script and adapt it to a one-host format. Despite the last-minute changes, DJ Sway remained composed and focused, thanks to the support of his colleagues, such as Owen Rampha, Katlego Rakola, Tshepang Motsisi (DJ Easy), and LB.
When asked about his initial reaction to the unexpected turn of events, DJ Sway admitted to feeling saddened by how things ended. However, he credited Pearl Thusi for giving him a much-needed confidence boost during his moment of doubt. She reminded him that he was destined for greatness and that he didn’t need big stars to succeed. With her words of encouragement, DJ Sway regained his composure and approached the rest of the show with the same professionalism and charisma he displays on the radio.
To overcome the challenges he faced, DJ Sway relied on his radio skills and calm personality. He engaged with the audience as if he were speaking to a single person, pointing out individuals in the crowd to create a more intimate connection. He also expressed gratitude for his backstage team, who provided support and ensured the smooth running of the show.
DJ Sway expressed satisfaction in being seen as the saving grace of the YAMAs. He believed that he fulfilled his role as a host and brought joy to the Yarona FM board, his family, and his fans. Despite his success, DJ Sway’s journey has not been without hardships. He has experienced the loss of his mother and sister, which has left a lasting impact on him. While he continues to grieve, he seeks solace in therapy sessions and relies on his father for emotional support.
DJ Sway’s dedication to his craft and ability to overcome adversity make him a remarkable figure in the radio industry. His vibrant personality and deep knowledge of music have made him a perfect fit for Yarona FM. Despite the challenges he has faced, DJ Sway remains determined to make a positive impact and bring joy to his listeners. With his talent and resilience, there is no doubt that DJ Sway will continue to thrive in his career and leave a lasting legacy in the world of radio.
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Chef Gustos walk of shame
Chef Gustos, the renowned hitmaker, recently experienced what can only be described as a walk of shame at the 8th edition of the Yarona FM Music Awards (YAMAs). Despite being nominated a whopping seven times, he failed to secure a single win. Ouch!
The night was filled with surprises, drama, and controversy, but the biggest winner of the evening was Han C, who walked away with three awards, including Best Pop and Best Male Single for his hit song, “Sebinki.” Han C graciously announced that he would be donating P10,000 from his winnings to his fellow nominees, promoting a spirit of togetherness among artists. What a noble gesture!
Meanwhile, Chef Gustos found himself on the losing end of several categories, including People’s Choice Artist of the Year, which he had won in the past. He seemed unfazed by the loss, stating, “People know that ‘Away’ was big, but they won’t stop me.” It’s clear that Chef Gustos is determined to continue making music, regardless of the awards he receives.
However, he did express his frustration with the outcome, suggesting that the awards may be corrupt. He declined to comment further, citing the need to protect his brand and maintain good relationships with corporate clients. It’s understandable that he wants to avoid any potential damage to his future prospects.
In fact, Chef Gustos went so far as to request that Yarona FM not nominate him for future YAMAs. It seems he wants to distance himself from the disappointment and focus on his music without the pressure of awards. Perhaps this decision will allow him to create freely and without the burden of expectations.
While Chef Gustos may have experienced a walk of shame at the YAMAs, it’s important to remember that awards do not define an artist’s talent or success. His fans still appreciate his music, and he continues to have gigs with corporate clients. So, despite the disappointment, Chef Gustos remains optimistic about his future in the industry.
In the end, the YAMAs may have been a letdown for Chef Gustos, but he’s determined to keep moving forward. He won’t let a lack of awards dampen his spirits or hinder his creativity. And who knows, maybe next time he’ll come back stronger and prove that he’s deserving of recognition. After all, the true measure of an artist’s success lies in the hearts of their fans, not in shiny trophies.