Theko Tlebere
When the Prime Minister of Lesotho declared youth unemployment a state of emergency last week, he highlighted not just a jobs crisis but a deeper societal issue. This declaration was not merely a plea to the government, NGOs, or international donors; it was primarily an appeal to the youth of this nation to look inward, reflect, and ask: What kind of character do I bring to the table of national development? This week, we delve into a very sensitive issue, the issue of ‘Character’. We aim to trigger a rejuvenated way of thinking among the youth of Lesotho.
We must confront a painful truth: our greatest enemy may not be structural unemployment but our character deficit. Heraclitus was right: a man’s character is his fate. And as Thomas Jefferson wisely noted, nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong one.
Too often, we cover ourselves in spiritual devotion, fasting, praying, and binding demons while ignoring the demons within: laziness, entitlement, bitterness, disrespect, gossip, and dishonesty. We cry out to God for jobs, yet fail to arrive on time for interviews. We seek scholarships but neglect to read the terms. We dream of entrepreneurship but shy away from the discipline it requires.
As a young Mosotho man who grew up under the stewardship of Christianity, I have watched sorrowfully as brilliant young people choose excuses over effort, emotion over discipline, and superstition over self-improvement. Many shout “Amen” on Sundays but treat others with cruelty from Monday to Saturday. We build spiritual castles on foundations of sand because prayer, without character, is a loud gong signifying nothing. It’s time to say it plainly: prayer is not everything. As Dutch Sheets once said, prayer is not a check request asking for things from God; it is a deposit slip depositing God’s character into our bankrupt souls.
We must become young people who are not just heavenly-minded but also earthly-useful. This means showing up, dressing up, speaking right, and working even harder, even when no one is watching. The greatest opportunities are unlocked not by CVs or connections alone, but by character. The Shunammite woman received a miracle not because she prayed but because she was hospitable. Imagine if she had insulted the Prophet instead. Many of us have blocked our blessings by disrespecting those placed in our lives to help us. We are at odds with our destiny helpers.
What has happened to humility, diligence, and courtesy? We fight against the government but refuse to volunteer. We blame ministers but won’t mentor a child. We quote scripture but fail to honour our parents. We seek jobs yet ignore internships. Youth, we cannot be both victims and entitled. The youth of Lesotho must rise not just in number, but in depth.
We need a new revolution, not one of violence or slogans, but one of responsibility, character, and excellence. We must outgrow this culture of dependency and finger-pointing. Remember the Great Wall of China? It was impenetrable in structure but was defeated by bribed guards. Why? Because the Chinese built the wall but forgot to build the character of the guards. This is us. We demand policies and programmes, but neglect personal discipline. We want infrastructure and innovation, yet we treat each other poorly. We build projects with foreign aid, only to destroy them with corruption and carelessness.
Here’s the reality: no government programme can save a generation that refuses to save itself. Policies can open doors, but it is character that walks through them. This state of emergency is not just about joblessness. It is about the emergence of integrity, ethics, and effort.
Let us learn from West Berlin. When their neighbours dumped garbage across the wall, they responded with food, care, and dignity, leaving a note: “Each gives what he has.” What do you have to give, Basotho youth? Bitterness or ideas? Complaints or contributions? Self-pity or solutions? If all we carry is negativity, no job, programme, or grant can sustain us. But if we carry love, purpose, and skill, no wall can hold us back.
So, young Basotho, I ask you:
– Are you employable, or just employed in blame?
– Do you treat people with respect, or only when they are useful to you?
– Do you show up early, or pray late into the night?
As Shakespeare said, the fault lies not in our stars but in ourselves. Lesotho needs builders of roads, but first, builders of character. Let this be the turning point. Let the Prime Minister’s state of emergency not just mobilise the government, but it must galvanise your souls as young people of this country. It must birth a youth army of ethical entrepreneurs, respectful employees, humble leaders, and visionary thinkers. Character is destiny. And destiny begins with you. May this generation not just pray for change but become the change. The future is NOW!
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