By: Mpho Shelile
Maseru –To empower Basotho youth, the Right Honourable Prime Minister Samuel Matekane, alongside the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), officially inaugurated the second Sebabatso Conference on October 7, 2024.
This pivotal event, running until October 11, aims to provide young Basotho with a dynamic platform to engage in dialogue, skill-building, and leadership development. The conference represents a key milestone in the national drive to harness the energy and potential of Lesotho’s youth for national development.
The conference’s core focus is to offer the youth of Lesotho a space to voice their concerns, share their innovative ideas, and propose tangible solutions to the challenges they face. It underscores the importance of youth participation in national development processes, recognizing that a country’s future prosperity lies in the hands of its younger generation.
In his opening remarks, Prime Minister Matekane highlighted the origins of the Sebabatso Initiative, recalling its genesis on August 11, 2023, during International Youth Day. “It was on that day,” Matekane said, “that I had the privilege of engaging with vibrant and determined Basotho youth entrepreneurs. Their passion and determination to contribute to our nation’s growth gave rise to Sebabatso.”
He further noted that participants in the Sebabatso Initiative have since been exposed to opportunities on national, regional, and international stages. “We had the top 10 youth from Sebabatso accompany my delegation to the Youth Connekt Africa Summit held in Nairobi in December last year. Six more participated in the BRICS Youth Summit and Business Competition in South Africa earlier this year, where two of our young entrepreneurs secured 1st and 2nd positions, triumphing over participants from BRICS nations.”
“The Sebabatso Initiative has garnered significant support from various development partners and countries, including, The Embassy of China in Lesotho, The BRICS Youth Summit in South Africa, Rwanda (Youth Connekt Africa), The Lesotho National Development Corporation (LNDC), The Central Bank of Lesotho (CBL) and The United Nations family.”
Despite these achievements, Matekane acknowledged that challenges remain, particularly in addressing high youth unemployment in the country. “The high youth unemployment rate requires urgent and collective action,” he emphasized. “We need to foster synergies with like-minded partners and invest more, not only through government initiatives but also through support from development partners and the private sector.”
UN Resident Coordinator in Lesotho, Amanda Khozi Mukwashi, echoed the Prime Minister’s sentiments, expressing optimism for the future of the nation’s youth. “When I look at the youth of Lesotho, I see a group of young people hungry to succeed, ready to achieve, and eager to be accountable for their progress,” she said. Her message to the youth was simple yet powerful: “If at first, you do not succeed, you try again and again until you make it.”
The Sebabatso Conference includes a diverse range of training sessions, designed to equip participants with critical skills in leadership, entrepreneurship, and innovation. These sessions are aimed at empowering young Basotho to become active and responsible contributors to their communities and to the broader development of the nation.
The event has attracted various stakeholders, including government officials, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), private sector representatives, and youth organizations. This collective gathering of minds facilitates networking, collaboration, and the exchange of ideas, providing participants with the opportunity to forge valuable relationships that will help them on their journeys toward success.
One of the conference’s central goals is to advocate for policies that support youth development, particularly those that create a conducive environment for young people to thrive economically, socially, and politically. Sessions during the conference will also encourage youth to participate actively in civic duties, fostering a sense of responsibility and community involvement.
More than just an event, the Sebabatso Conference is a movement, a call to action for recognizing and nurturing the potential of Lesotho’s youth. As the country grapples with challenges such as high unemployment and social inequality, empowering young people becomes an imperative. The conference underscores the commitment of the Lesotho government and its partners to investing in the future leaders of the nation.
Prime Minister Matekane, in his closing remarks, reaffirmed the government’s stance on youth development: “The youth are the backbone of our nation’s progress. By supporting them today, we are securing the prosperity of Lesotho tomorrow.”
His leadership, alongside the continued support from the UNDP, highlights the importance of a collaborative effort between government bodies and international organizations in creating an environment where young people can thrive.
As the second Sebabatso Conference progresses, it is set to inspire and mobilize young Basotho, equipping them with the tools, knowledge, and networks they need to make a meaningful impact on their communities and the country. With continued support from the UNDP and other partners, the conference symbolizes a hopeful and positive step toward addressing the challenges faced by the youth in Lesotho.
The insights gained and the relationships formed during this week will undoubtedly resonate far beyond the event, driving the youth of Lesotho toward greater heights and a more prosperous future.