By: Mpho Shelile
Maseru – In a powerful effort to bolster the role of women in economic growth and empower business women of Lesotho, Finite Magazine sponsored by Bam Group hosted its second business seminar, bringing together Basotho businesswomen to explore the vast opportunities available to them under the theme Invest in Women/Accelerate Progress.
The seminar, held in Maseru, provides a platform for women to learn from each other, share experiences, and inspire collective progress, with a vision of seeing Lesotho flourish economically with women at the forefront.
The event features a distinguished panel of 11 leading women from various sectors, each contributing their insights and expertise to the discussion, as per the organizations they currently represent professionally.
Among the key speakers was Mrs. Mamashiya Ntšepeng Tšita Tikiso, the Ambassador of the Bam Group Foundation (BGF), who delivered a compelling opening address, emphasizing BGF’s commitment to empowering women and the critical role women must play in driving Lesotho’s economic growth.
“Our primary goal at BGF is to assist and empower other women,” Mrs. Tikiso states. “This means that we, as women, must ensure that we contribute meaningfully to the economic development of Lesotho. We believe in learning from those who have successfully navigated their paths, which is why we have gathered here today to share knowledge and strategies for growth.”
She also highlights the significance of this year’s celebration of Lesotho’s 200th anniversary, urging the attendees to take pride in their cultural heritage. Reflecting this milestone, the seminar adopted a dress theme centred around traditional attire, symbolizing a deep connection to the country’s roots and identity, where numerous women showed up dressed in their Seshoeshoe traditional dresses and blankets.
The seminar serves as more than just a discussion platform; it was positioned as a pre-award event designed to be educational, empowering, and motivational. With its main aim being to equip women with the tools and knowledge needed to seize available opportunities and make impactful contributions to Lesotho’s economy.
Throughout the seminar, the panelists share valuable advice on various topics, including entrepreneurship, leadership, and financial management. providing practical insights that the attendees could apply to their businesses and professional lives. The interactive format also allows participants to engage directly with the panelists, fostering an environment of learning and collaboration.
The first panel had five speakers, being the Ministry of Gender through Sebabatso, Catholic Relief Services (CRS), US Embassy, Basotho Enterprises Development Corporation (BEDCO) and Limkokwing University of Creative Technology (LUCT).
Mrs. Seeng Tlali, a Certified Business Coach and Personal Growth and High Impact Leadership Facilitator at Catholic Relief Services (CRS), provides insight into the organization’s extensive work in Lesotho. Established in 1943, CRS expanded its reach to Lesotho in 2002, bringing with it a wealth of experience and resources aimed at fostering economic growth and social empowerment. “Our primary goal is to teach people how to create jobs for themselves,” Mrs. Tlali emphasizes, outlining the project’s target of reaching 5,000 beneficiaries.
The initiative places a strong emphasis on women, equipping them with essential skills in micro-entrepreneurship through comprehensive business training, coaching, and mentorship. “We also provide seed funding to help these women kickstart their businesses,” she notes, adding that the support doesn’t end there. CRS assists these budding entrepreneurs in connecting with organizations like the Basotho Enterprises Development Corporation (BEDCO) to ensure sustained growth. To date, CRS has played a pivotal role in helping 75 Basotho youth launch their own businesses. Among which 50 will offer micro-entrepreneurship training, while 25 will focus on agribusiness, all under the broader umbrella of the economic inclusion program.
In addition to entrepreneurship, CRS is committed to improving early childhood development, particularly for children of female factory workers. “We’ve observed that many day-care centers near industrial firms are not conducive to child development,” Mrs. Tlali explains. “As part of our corporate social responsibility (CSR), we’ve taken the initiative to renovate these centers, ensuring that children grow up in a safe and nurturing environment.”
Mrs. Lintle Rabolinyane, representing the Ministry of Gender, Youth, and Development, echoed the concerns about youth unemployment, particularly its impact on young women. She highlights Sebabatso, a platform launched by the government last year to empower Basotho youth, aged 15 to 35, to create jobs for themselves. “Basotho youth have dreams; they just need a platform to turn those dreams into reality,” she asserts.
Sebabatso, which recruits cohorts annually, addresses a critical gap in youth understanding of business fundamentals. Mrs. Rabolinyane points out that many young people are unaware of what running a business truly entails.
“There’s a tendency among parents to choose courses for their children, which often leads to a lack of clarity about their career paths,” she notes. She advises that a successful business requires passion and commitment, cautioning against mismanagement of business funds.
“It’s essential to save and reinvest profits to reap greater rewards in the long run,” she advises, also stressing the importance of collaboration for business growth. She concluded with a poignant metaphor, urging parents to “teach their children how to fish rather than giving them fish,” underscoring the importance of self-reliance.
Mrs. Mamahapela Mokuoane, Senior Manager of Communication, Marketing, and Stakeholder Relations at BEDCO, elaborates on the organization’s mandate to support Basotho entrepreneurs.
“BEDCO was established by the government of Lesotho in 1980 to offer free services to Basotho,” Mrs. Mokuoane shares. BEDCO’s role extends beyond assisting existing businesses; it also helps aspiring entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality by providing guidance on starting businesses and offering practical assistance during the start-up phase.
“For businesses facing challenges, we step in to diagnose the root causes and provide tailored solutions,” she explains. BEDCO offers training programs designed to foster business growth and provides incubation services, where they work closely with business owners to nurture their enterprises. “We also bring in business specialists to mentor entrepreneurs and help them access finance through our programs,” Mrs. Mokuoane adds. BEDCO’s initiatives include facilitating market access for businesses, with platforms like the flea market, launched six months ago, allowing local businesses to showcase their products and gain visibility among Basotho and beyond.
In her concluding remarks, Mrs. Mokuoane stresses BEDCO’s commitment to promoting entrepreneurship in Lesotho, ensuring that more Basotho have the tools and opportunities to build sustainable businesses.
Mrs. Malingane Maliehe, Public Engagement and Alumni Specialist at the U.S. Embassy in Lesotho, highlights the Embassy’s commitment to empowering women through their Women Entrepreneur Project, known as AWE (Academy for Women Entrepreneurs). This initiative provides critical resources such as funding, networking opportunities, mentorship, scaling opportunities, and educational programs to enhance women’s economic independence. “AWE is designed to equip women with the tools they need to thrive in the business world,” Mrs. Maliehe emphasizes.
She further shares that the 2024 cohort has already been selected, and these women will receive ongoing support to help their businesses grow and scale. The program is open to women between the ages of 21 and 35, who must have an established business that has been operational for one to three years.
“Applicants must be citizens of Lesotho, Eswatini, or South Africa, have a good command of English, possess basic computer and internet skills, and be committed to the training schedule,” Mrs. Maliehe explains. These requirements ensure that participants are well-prepared to maximize the benefits of the program.
Mrs. Mamohlomi Thamae, representing RENOKA, spoke about their efforts to support women involved in Stokvels (community savings groups) through mentorship and financial education. “Our primary goal is to help these women grow their Stokvels so that they can become self-sustaining, even without external assistance,” Mrs. Thamae shares. RENOKA’s approach includes traveling to remote areas of Lesotho to reach women in rural communities, where they provide training on effective savings practices.
She points out a common challenge faced by these groups: after distributing their savings at the end of the year, many members tend to spend all their funds, leaving no capital to reinvest at the start of the new year. “We recognized this issue and took it upon ourselves to approach various offices to help these women start businesses with their savings,” Mrs. Thamae explains. This initiative aims to transform the way Stokvels operate, ensuring that members can generate sustainable income year-round.
Additionally, Mrs. Thamae discusses the Smallholder Agriculture Development Project (SADP), which offers grants to business owners who have demonstrated traction in their ventures. The project not only provides financial support but also offers training on essential business skills, including negotiation with buyers. “We also run nutrition clubs in hard-to-reach areas, educating women on proper nutrition for their children,” she adds. The overarching goal of these clubs is to ensure that Basotho children grow up healthy, with access to the right foods.
In her closing remarks, Mrs. Thamae encourages women to collaborate and work together to produce sufficient food, recognizing the challenges individual farmers face in meeting market demand and sustaining their businesses. She also provided details on the application process for the second cohort of the SADP. “The requirements for the second cohort will be less stringent since this will be the final group,” she notes. However, applicants must be experienced farmers, have legally registered companies, and provide a form C certificate or a lease as proof of ownership or access to land.
Mrs. Lisema Ramaili, Manager of Internship and Industry at Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, emphasizes the vital role that the agricultural sector plays in the economic growth of Lesotho.
In her remarks, she points out that while the nation is gradually advancing, particularly in the integration of technology and innovation, agriculture remains the cornerstone of economic development. “It is through the agricultural sector that the economy of Lesotho will thrive,”
Mrs. Ramaili states. She also highlights the university’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs, which are designed to provide opportunities for those who did not pass their LGCSE exams, enabling them to still access higher education. “These programs primarily focus on giving a second chance to those who might have faced academic challenges, ensuring they too have the opportunity to pursue higher education and contribute meaningfully to the economy,” she adds.
The seminar featured a diverse panel of six speakers, each sharing valuable insights and opportunities for women in Lesotho. Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Tšepang Tšita Mosena, echoed the sentiments of Mrs. Mandisa Nkwanyana regarding the importance of collaboration among women. “When women look at each other, they see someone who understands the challenges they might be facing,” Mosena remarks, emphasizing the importance of solidarity and mutual support among women.
She also discusses the significance of women’s representation in parliament, not just as a means of participating in governance but as a platform for addressing and advocating for women’s issues. “Women’s representation in parliament should be a platform where fellow women can recognize and use their voices to raise their concerns. A prime example of effective representation is South Africa, where women hold 40% of the decision-making power,” she explains. Mosena encourages women to seek help when needed and to work together to overcome challenges.
Lebesa Nkune, Head of Solutions Mapping at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), introduces the Her Empire UNDP program, which is specifically designed to help women grow their businesses. “The program has successfully nurtured two cohorts of women entrepreneurs. In 2022, 16 out of 18 women participants were able to succeed, and in 2023, 34 women prospered,” Nkune reports. He underscores the program’s impact in empowering women entrepreneurs and contributing to the broader economic landscape of Lesotho.
Mrs. Mannana Phalatse, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Millennium Account Challenge (MCA), addresses the critical issue of inclusivity, particularly concerning women with disabilities. She calls on the government to implement more policies that safeguard the rights and opportunities of people living with disabilities. “The Equity Act already mandates that people living with disabilities should participate in the economic growth of the country,” Mrs. Phalatse notes. She strongly advocates for women with disabilities to seize opportunities that come their way, emphasizing that they, too, have a crucial role to play in the country’s development.
Mrs. Mandisa Nkwanyana, President of the Businesswomen’s Association of South Africa (BWASA), expresses her gratitude to the BGF for the invitation to speak at the seminar. She shares the origin of BWASA, established in 2021, in response to the South African government’s recognition of the need to prioritize women in public sector procurement. “In 2019, a policy was introduced that mandates 40% of public sector procurement be allocated exclusively to women-owned businesses,” Nkwanyana explains.
She urges women to take charge of their rights and hold all sectors accountable to ensure that these policies are effectively implemented. “If we do not hold sectors accountable, women will find themselves in the same positions for years to come,” she warned. Nkwanyana concluded by emphasizing the importance of women supporting each other to ensure the growth of women-owned businesses. She also called for tracking the progress and impact of these efforts to ensure they contribute significantly to the economic growth of the country.
Hon. Mokhethi Shelile, the Minister of Trade, Industry, and Trade Development, emphasizes the crucial role of government in facilitating market access for Basotho businesses during his speech. He points out that one of the government’s primary responsibilities is to identify and secure markets where local businesses can thrive.
“The government of Lesotho must ensure that Basotho businesses have access to viable markets where they can trade their goods and services,” states Hon. Shelile. He further mentions the significant roles played by parastatals such as the Basotho Enterprises Development Corporation (BEDCO) and the Lesotho National Development Corporation (LNDC) in supporting this initiative. These entities are instrumental in helping local businesses expand their reach and succeed in both domestic and international markets.
Hon. Shelile also highlightes the ongoing Competitiveness and Financial Inclusion Project, a collaborative effort between the government of Lesotho and the World Bank. “This project aims to enhance the competitiveness of local businesses while ensuring broader financial inclusion across the country,” he explaines. The project focuses on creating a more inclusive economic environment, where even small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can access the financial resources they need to grow.
In addition to discussing market access and financial inclusion, Hon. Shelile issues a cautionary note to Basotho consumers regarding the dangers of purchasing cheap alcohol. He warns that the low-cost alcohol available in the market poses significant health risks. “I urge Basotho to be vigilant about the alcohol they consume, as these cheap products can be very harmful to human health,” he advises.
Mrs. Mahalieo Nyanguru, from the LNDC’s Investment and Trade Promotion Office, provides further insights into the corporation’s efforts to bolster Lesotho’s economic landscape. She outlines LNDC’s primary objective: to attract investors into the country and position Lesotho as a premier investment destination. “Our department is dedicated to promoting Lesotho as an attractive location for investment, ensuring that our economy continues to grow and thrive,” Mrs. Nyanguru states.
She also mentions the work being done by LNDC’s Development Finance Unit, which focuses on creating a mini-development bank. “This unit is committed to providing the necessary financial support to businesses, particularly those that have been incubated by organizations such as BEDCO, UNDP, and other entities,” she says.
Mrs. Nyanguru emphasizes that the LNDC works closely with businesses that have already established a foothold in their markets, helping them explore new opportunities both locally and internationally. “We assist businesses in identifying and accessing new markets, ensuring they can expand their reach beyond our borders,” she adds.
Mrs. Nyanguru also highlights LNDC’s current efforts to attract investors in the field of agricultural commercialization. “We are actively seeking investors who are interested in commercializing agriculture in Lesotho, which is a critical sector for our economic development,” she explains.
As Lesotho continues to pursue economic development, events like this business seminar play a pivotal role in ensuring that women are not just participants but leaders in the country’s growth. Finite Magazine’s initiative is a testament to the power of collective action and the potential that lies in empowering women to achieve their full potential. By bringing together key stakeholders and thought leaders, the seminar provided a platform for sharing ideas, opportunities, and strategies that will propel Basotho women forward.
The seminar concludes with a renewed sense of purpose and determination among the attendees, who left inspired to tackle new challenges and contribute to the economic advancement of Lesotho. The event also set the stage for the upcoming awards, where the achievements of Basotho women in various sectors will be recognized and celebrated, further cementing their role as key contributors to the nation’s progress.