“Mandela’s International Bags” is always a stopping point to a fairly large number of Maseno University students and passersby looking for bags.
It is a well-stocked bags shop selling all types of bags from handbags, school bags, designer bags and travelling bags.
It is the one place where one will be directed if he/she wants to buy a bag in Maseno.
However, what most students don't know is the long journey Nelson Mandela, a fourth year Statistics student at Maseno University has come to bring the business to its current state.
During an exclusive interview, Mandela said he begun dreaming of being a prosperous business person way back when he was still in class three.
“I began by selling groundnuts in my village, the little money I got helped me buy stationery to support my primary school education,” he said.
He said he continued doing other small businesses during his high school until he joined campus.
During his first year at the university, Mandela said that besides the groundnut business, he sold home-made brooms.
“The business gave me Sh750 which I then invested as capital into the bags business,” he said.
“As a student, balancing my time between, class and business is not a walk in the park,” he said.
To ensure that he does not miss anything in class, he makes a good follow-up of every lesson.
He also goes for additional private lectures in case he misses any class.
The fourth year student said for anyone to succeed in business, he/she must work extra hard to ensure that he satisfies the needs of all of his/her customers.
He said besides being honest, one must accept competition in whatever way it manifests itself.