By: Phongwazana Sakachane
MASERU
In the bustling streets of Maseru, one woman has transformed the way fresh produce reaches local vendors, creating a ripple effect across the community and the farming industry. Lucia Makoali, a dedicated businesswoman and a self-driven entrepreneur, has carved out her niche in the fruit and vegetable trade by importing high-quality produce from South Africa. However, her vision for 2025 and beyond is set to change the dynamics of the industry in Lesotho, her goals have become bigger, and the future is brighter for local farmers.
Lucia’s journey in the produce business started many years ago when she would travel with her father to South Africa to stock vegetables. It was during these trips that she developed a deep love for the produce trade. At the time, she hired a van to transport her goods. But her persistence, hard work, and passion paid off. Over the years, Lucia saved up enough to purchase her own truck, allowing her to self-drive the vehicle to South Africa to import fresh produce, including tomatoes, watermelons, carrots, onions, beetroots, potatoes, and apples.
With her truck, Lucia made it possible to supply the Lesotho market with a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, supporting local vendors who rely on quality produce for their businesses. This has made her a key player in the fresh food trade in the region, ensuring that local vendors have access to fresh, quality stock for resale in Maseru and beyond.
However, Lucia’s journey is far from over. She has bigger plans for the future, especially in 2025. Lucia’s focus has shifted toward supporting and empowering local farmers. She recognises the hard work that Basotho farmers put into cultivating high-quality food and believes there is no longer any need to rely on imports from South Africa. With this in mind, she has taken a bold step by encouraging local farmers to visit her office and bring samples of their produce.
“I’ve seen the effort and dedication that our local farmers put into their crops. There’s no reason why we should be importing from South Africa when we have quality tomatoes, cabbages, green beans, green peppers, and potatoes right here in Lesotho. I want to help our farmers by creating a direct channel where they can sell their produce to me,” says Lucia with a sense of purpose in her voice.
Lucia is not just a businesswoman but also the driver of her own truck, proving that determination and hard work can take you to extraordinary places. She has built a reputation for being a hands-on entrepreneur who is willing to do whatever it takes to see her business thrive. The process of driving her truck to South Africa to import stock has not been easy, but Lucia’s perseverance and relentless pursuit of her dreams have brought her to where she is today.
As a woman driver, she highlighted that one of the challenges she faces is spending days on the road, especially when delivering to distant farms. At times, she struggles to find proper accommodation to rest or even access a shower.
In addition to expanding her network of local farmers, Lucia is also in the process of building a warehouse to store her stock, which will allow her to streamline the distribution process and maintain a steady supply for the vendors she works with. This warehouse is part of her long-term plan to increase her impact on the local farming and food industry, positioning her business as a key player in Lesotho’s agricultural landscape.
Lucia’s story is one of resilience, innovation, and a deep-rooted commitment to improving the lives of both local farmers and the community she serves. By encouraging farmers to bring their produce directly to her, Lucia is playing a pivotal role in pushing the farming industry forward, creating new opportunities for those who work the land, and ensuring that the future of Lesotho’s food supply remains in the hands of its people.
Regarding her call for local suppliers, she says, “The feedback has been amazing! I receive around 10 twenty-liter buckets of green peppers per day, totaling about 40 per week. Honestly, the quality of the produce surpasses my expectations. Currently, they are supplying me with green peppers, green beans, and tomatoes.”
Her vision for the future is clear: empowering local farmers, supporting the community, and pushing the boundaries of what is possible. Lucia Makoali is not only driving a truck, she is driving change for Lesotho’s agricultural future.