A group of young entrepreneurs is leaving for China as part of the Sebabatso Initiative, a program that provides opportunities for young entrepreneurs to gain experience.

 This was said by the Minister of Social Development, Gender, Youth and Sports, Mr. Lesaoana Pitso during the press conference held in Maseru on Thursday.

 He mentioned that the Sebabatso Initiative was established by the Prime Minister to provide long-term support for Basotho youth in business development, to promote self-reliance and economic development in Lesotho.

 “The purpose is to grow the young entrepreneurs’ companies and look for investors,” he added.

 He said only 10 businesses were chosen to go to China under five categories namely fishery, tourism, poultry, renewable energy and dairy and food processing for them to get training in international experience and to build networks.

 He said these entrepreneurs will spend only 14 days in China for training.

 The Senior Private Secretary to the Prime Minister, Mrs. Moleboheng Mokobocho Sefali said this project is for training young entrepreneurs in different aspects of their businesses and helping them gain experience.

 She mentioned that this project has collaborated with sectors such as LNDC, UNDP, Lesotho Flour Mills, Central Bank of Lesotho and China.

‘Central Bank of Lesotho (CBL) collaborated by funding the project with M200 000 and Lesotho Flour Mills with training,’ she mentioned.

She further noted that this project is meant for every young Mosotho entrepreneur in the country.

 Miss Thato Letlama, one of the entrepreneurs chosen to go to China, who owns Thato Poultry Farm said she started her business in 2021.

 ‘This project will be helpful to us because we are going to gain training and experience on how to grow our businesses,’ said Miss Letlama.

When concluding, she stressed that she is excited to be one of the participants chosen to go to China as this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn about business and entrepreneurship from some of the world’s leading experts.

 The Sebabatso Initiative is an inspiring example of how a small program can have a big impact on the lives of the young. 

Source: LENA 04/04/2024