RUINING A SMALL BUSINESS IN PNG TODAY: MATHEW MINAPE

By Mathew Minape

"10t FACE, SAIKO BLO MONEY, YU LAIK KAMAP ELON MUSK OH" ARE INSULTS DRESSED IN SARCASM: STAY AWAY FROM FAMILY OR FRIENDS WHO HAVE MONEY PROBLEMS WHEN RUNNING A SMALL BUSINESS

These phrases—"10t face," "saiko blo money," and "yu laik kamap Elon Musk oh"—are sharp Tok Pisin insults often used in Papua New Guinea to cut down someone's ambitions, appearance, or financial status.When you are trying to build or run a small business, navigating financial relationships with close family and friends can be incredibly risky.

Why Separating Business from Family/Friends is Crucial Sarcasm and Jealousy: Phrases like "yu laik kamap Elon Musk oh" (Oh, you want to be like Elon Musk?) are classic examples of "tall poppy syndrome." Instead of supporting your drive to succeed, people may use sarcasm to make you feel guilty for trying to build wealth or improve your life.

The "Wantok" System Pressure: In PNG culture, the wantok system creates strong obligations to help family and community members. However, when running a business, mixing these obligations with your cash flow can destroy your capital. Friends or relatives might expect free goods, unpaid favors, or "loans" they never intend to pay back.

Awalat Village doing maintenance work on Water Supply Project (14/09/2026)

51st Independence PNG

Sandis Taska Enga Provincial Administrator

A village boy whom Mr Kiponge assisted in an hardware is now working in top Accounting firm in Cairns

By Rex Kiponge

Four years ago, I walked into a hardware store in Port Moresby and noticed a young boy standing quietly by the building materials, counting coins in his palm that clearly weren't enough. I didn't know him. I had never seen him before in my life. But something about the way he stood there determined, a little embarrassed, but not giving up made me stop and ask him what he was trying to buy. He told me he wanted to build a chicken house. He had left school because his family could not keep up with his school fees at the University, and rather than sit idle, he had decided to raise and sell chickens to pay his own way back into school. No one sent him to that hardware store. He came by himself out of his determination. I helped him with the little he was short fall. He bought his materials, and before we parted ways, we exchanged phone numbers, as normally the way strangers sometimes do when a moment feels like it shouldn't simply end.

At Kopeng celebrating health events 2025

Happy 5th Birthday to McRyan Wasia. The Birthday was celebrated with his schoolmates and teachers at the school.

Greetings from the Councilor elect for Waimin Kwia Ward 17 Tsak LLG, Cr Andrew Wasia//

By Cr Andrew Wasia

I would like to thank everyone for your tremendous support towards electing me as your councilor elect for Waimin Kwia clan of the Mighty Waimin tribe.

Ward 17, of course, is a new council Ward in Tsak LLG of Wapenamanda district, Enga Province. Out of 7 young and vibrant leaders who ran this race, I finished first. I thank all the candidates for raising your hands together with me in this Ward Council election. I learned alot of lessons as a young man after running 2x races (2018, 2025). In 2018, I came 2nd with 28 votes difference. I never gave up until I won this time (2025). We all know, in any election process, only one wins. I thank all the candidates for raising your hands. You are leaders of your own rights. I take my hats off to you all. I hope to work with you to change our clan going forward. I would also like to work with the elites of our tribe (Waimin), Waimin business men/women, churches, NGOs, and Waimin leaders etc to change the face of our clan. I also call on the 7 candidates including the second runner up

Each year, K2M is given to the Health Sector through DSIP

Apostle Solomon Usukuni at NG Unitech 2025