By Thoboloko Ntšonyane
MASERU – The Gem Institute has recently concluded a transformative youth empowerment project aimed at equipping young people across Lesotho with essential skills in entrepreneurship, leadership, and policy engagement.
The project, which targeted youth, sought to provide young Basotho with the opportunity to familiarize themselves with national development frameworks such as the Lesotho National Youth Policy and the National Strategic Development Plan II.
‘Matauli Mokete, Programme Coordinator at Gem Institute, explained that the initiative was designed to address the growing youth unemployment crisis by fostering job creation and encouraging active participation in decision-making processes.
The Mentorship and Enterprise Development and Support Project, supported by the United States Embassy, was carried out by the Gem Institute. The initiative has been hailed for shaping the future of Lesotho’s youth, empowering them with practical skills, strong leadership abilities, and newfound confidence. The project aims to position them as a driving force for economic growth, social justice, and community development.
She said the project facilitated entrepreneurial experiences that engaged youth across various sectors with the aim of reducing the unemployment rate. It also aimed to ensure that youth could be part of the decision-making processes on issues that directly affect them and entrepreneurship and policy-making were key areas of focus for fostering greater participation.
Participants in the project reportedly gained entrepreneurial skills, including proposal writing, pitching, and financial literacy.
Leadership was another focus of the programme, with many participants now serving as district coordinators for GEM Institute activities. The participants’ networking and communication skills were enhanced through joint activities, enabling them to build broader professional networks. The programme also provided training in business planning, helping youth to establish sustainable enterprises.
Mokete shared that an open call for youth registration was made through social media and local radio stations to encourage participation. Initially, she said the programme targeted five districts Mokhotlong, Botha-Bothe, Leribe, Berea, and Thaba-Tseka,based on demographic needs identified in collaboration with the Department of Youth. However, the programme expanded to include additional districts to adopt a more inclusive approach.
To track the progress of participants, the GEM Institute established creative youth clubs in each district. These clubs continue to engage in GEM’s ongoing programmes, where they apply the skills they gained during the training.
She added that the long-term goal is for the skills acquired through the programme to evolve into sustainable opportunities via GEM’s incubation programme. The Institute’s partnerships with schools and community leaders focus on areas such as climate change agripreneurship, food security, cultural sector development, and gender leadership.
One of the beneficiaries, Lintle Lekhanya from Mafeteng, shared how the training had enhanced her critical thinking and research skills as a media professional and emerging CV writer.
She highlighted that the programme has boosted her confidence, helped her evaluate news stories more effectively, and improved her ability to tailor CVs for clients.
Lekhanya also emphasized the mentorship she received from an economic and social justice activist, which deepened her understanding of youth policy advocacy and community engagement.
She noted how the training had enhanced her entrepreneurial mindset, enabling her to apply it to her work and create innovative and successful media projects. She explained that prior to attending the programme, her main challenges were a lack of knowledge and access to information.
While the project has concluded, Mokete assured that GEM Institute would continue to support the youth by sharing opportunities and providing continuous mentorship. She also revealed that starting in 2025, GEM will revisit these clubs to assess their performance and impact.
She pledged their resolve to support the youth, helping them grow, and ensure that the momentum of this programme is maintained for years to come.