By Thoboloko Ntšonyane
MASERU- The SEBABATSO Youth Empowerment Programme, spearheaded by the Prime Minister (PM) Rt Hon Ntsokoane Matekane and supported by key partners, continues to uplift Basotho youth entrepreneurs.
This came to light during the launch of SEBABATSO II conference on Monday this week where 30 youth will be drilled and pitch before a panel of judges, all eyeing the ultimate prize, come Friday, October 11.
In its second phase this year, SEBABATSO has launched a competition for 30 young Basotho, with the grand prize being an all-expenses-paid trip to Rwanda to participate in this year’s YouthConnekt for further exposure. The programme has been touted as a critical platform for youth to develop their business acumen, and drive local economic growth.
This initiative has helped businesses upscale, with some participants doubling their turnover and expanding into new markets across Africa and overseas.
Launched on October 25th, 2023, the SEBABATSO Youth Empowerment Initiative attracted youth from all districts in the country, who presented their business ideas to investors. Those who succeeded received seed funding prizes ranging from M18,000 to M90,000 to reinvest in their ventures.
Last year’s beneficiaries who travelled to Nairobi to participate in Youth Connekt include Bokang Matlosa, Ts’oanelo Thonkha, Morakane Semoko, Lipontseng Violet Makhosane, Limpho Thoahlane, Mamothibe Portia Mothibe, Mokhethi Gilbert Phohlo, Lerato Masupha, Rapitso Mosebetsi, Thikoi Constance Molapi, who then emerged as winners during the SEBABATSO YEI launch and Bataung Madane and Rethabile Molumo, who have partnered with the UNDP on a waste management and recycling initiative.
Youth Connekt brings together a range of potential private sector partnerships and investment opportunities from various fields worldwide, providing a platform for capital advancements and mentorship programs to support the growth of innovative startups.
SEBABATSO Conference has attracted young people from across Lesotho, showcasing their innovative ideas, products, and services. This dynamic event is a platform for young entrepreneurs to engage with key stakeholders, experienced business professionals, industry leaders, policymakers, and development partners, as well as the international community.
The conference integrates programmes such as Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM), supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Lesotho National Youth Entrepreneurship Mentorship Programme, ensuring that young Basotho are equipped with the skills and opportunities needed for sustainable growth and job creation.
The Senior Private Secretary to the Prime Minister, Moleboheng Sefali stated that this aligns with the Prime Minister’s vision of a private sector-led economy in Lesotho driven by young people. She noted that this programme is year-round and that all youth can register to participate once calls for applications have been issued.
In SEBABATSO, she said that there is no competition; instead, they strive for collaboration.
She encouraged the youth to use whatever resources they have within their environment and capitalize on them.
Lebohang Molale
Lebohang Molale of Molale Property Group has credited SEBABATSO for its success. He said the programme has afforded him the skills and exposure needed to succeed in his business, despite not receiving any funding.
He mentioned that when he enrolled in the programme last year, there were only three members in the business, but they have now grown that number to 12. Molale also stated that they managed to purchase a car for the business through the skills and knowledge acquired from this empowerment initiative.
He noted that their business has scaled, and they now receive payments through mobile money channels.
Nthomeng Leuta
After the programme, she represented Lesotho at the BRICS + Youth Innovation Summit, where she won, beating her counterparts from different countries including Brazil, Russia, China, Eswatini, Zambia and South Africa.
Leuta was in a category of STEM, and highlighted that although it has been a challenging journey it also brought her many great things. “I have grown and I am proud. I might not be where I want to be, but at least I’m not where I was when I started in SEBABATSO,” she beamed.
Her initiative that aims to produce electricity and make it accessible in rural areas, and water treatment. “So when you have a complex idea like mine, you are faced with many challenges. It’s easy to get discouraged. When it feels like your idea is too big for the world to understand, not every business flourishes just because it has started.”
Rethabile Lesenyeho
Lesenyeho from the School of Sustainable Art and Crafts mentioned that his school has scaled up. This institution offers traditional knitting techniques to young people without an educational background and has trained over 200 students. He stated that the plan is to train 1,500 weavers.
He also had the opportunity to travel to China and learn English for African countries. He has secured $1,000 just over M17,000 and acquired $7,000 about M122,000 from the Competitiveness and Financial Inclusion (CAFI) for a weaving studio, the construction of which is expected to commence later this year.
Lerato Masupha
A tech entrepreneur in the fintech business, based in Maseru, serves the whole country and plans to expand beyond the borders. He won M45,000 last year to scale up his establishment and gained exposure to travel abroad to showcase and participate in empowerment programmes. He has visited countries like China, Namibia, and Nigeria for business.
Masupha said they were able to grow as a business; we started with three employees before the initiative, and by the time we received the funding, we had about eight more employees. “We have increased our turnover from M800, 000 to M2.5 million, and we also grew our transactional value from M3 million to M10 million.”
Khaolo Ramarou
He is a commercial fish farmer based in Thaba-Tseka, specializing in trout farming. He produces approximately 3,000 fish and has achieved profits exceeding M400, 000.
Despite being a high school dropout, he has successfully improved his business, crediting the initiative for his growth. Ramarou also had the opportunity to travel to China, where he gained further knowledge on fish farming. He stated that the programme has significantly enhanced his understanding of how to effectively run his operations.
The United Nations Resident Coordinator Amanda Khozi Mukwashi stated that youth are not being empowered; rather, individuals must take initiative and be “hungry” for success. Mukwashi challenged the participants to empower themselves.
“If at first you don’t succeed, try again and again until you succeed,” she said.
She underscored that the youth are the future and should not wait for the future to explore their potential.
She called on the government and corporations, stating that substantial resources are needed for investment in the programme. Investment, she argued, should come in millions of dollars.
“Lesotho is a small giant. Let’s make this small giant shine on the continent and in the world,” she pointed out.