Mamello Rakotsoana and Refiloe Molise
Entrepreneurs and business professionals in Lesotho have been urged to prioritise legal awareness as a critical pillar for sustainable business growth, ahead of the Molao le Khoebo Annual Conference scheduled for March 26–27, 2026.
In an exclusive interview, Advocate Thapelo Donald Ntsiki, Co-Founder of E-Legal Solutions, said the two-day conference represents a strategic evolution from last year’s three-day bootcamp, broadening its focus from small enterprises to more established businesses.
“Last year, we hosted a three-day bootcamp aimed at increasing our reach in providing legal information to small businesses. It was successful, but after evaluating its impact, we realised there was a need to change both the format and the target audience,” Ntsiki said.
He explained that while capacity-building workshops for small businesses remain important, the organisation identified an opportunity to expand its reach and impact by engaging larger enterprises, leading to the rebranding into a fully-fledged annual conference.
“We recognised the importance of legal aspects in doing business because law is the backbone of any business. For a business to exist, it exists because of the law. For it to be protected, it is protected by the law. For it to operate, it operates within the law, and even when it ends, it is resolved by the law,” he said.
This year’s conference will run under the theme ‘Building Legal Resilience’, focusing on equipping businesses with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate regulatory environments and withstand operational risks.
“We want businesses that stand on firm legal foundations so they can survive any storms that may arise,” Ntsiki added.
The two-day event will feature a diverse lineup of speakers from sectors including insurance, finance, consultancy, academia and the broader private sector. Institutions such as the National University of Lesotho, alongside regulatory bodies, are expected to participate.
According to Ntsiki, the programme has been deliberately condensed to maximise participation and impact, following feedback from previous events.
“We reduced the programme to two days because business people often struggle to attend longer events due to their work commitments,” he said.
Each day will include keynote addresses, educational sessions and panel discussions. Keynote speakers will provide high-level perspectives, while technical sessions will focus on practical applications and real-life business scenarios. Panel discussions will further unpack key issues, offering deeper insights into legal challenges faced by businesses.
“The aim is to create a clear and practical understanding of legal concepts and how they apply in everyday business operations,” Ntsiki explained.
He also highlighted a persistent gap in legal literacy within Lesotho’s private sector, noting that many businesses continue to operate without a basic understanding of regulatory obligations.
“There is little to almost no legal awareness in Lesotho’s private sector. We always emphasise that ignorance of the law is not an excuse. Attending workshops and conferences like this helps business owners gain essential knowledge of legal processes,” he said.
Drawing from last year’s bootcamp, Ntsiki revealed that many participants lacked awareness of fundamental compliance requirements, including annual filings and the need to update company records with the registry.
“That kind of knowledge is critical. Businesses cannot operate effectively without understanding the legal framework they fall under,” he added.
Attendance fees for the conference have been set at M1,300 per individual, covering access to all sessions, meals, refreshments and conference materials. Group bookings of five are discounted to M1,000 per person.
Organisers say early response has been encouraging, with further announcements and invitations still in progress.
Ntsiki urged business owners to take advantage of the platform, stressing that legal knowledge is indispensable for business sustainability and growth.
“This is about empowering businesses with knowledge. When you understand the law, you are in a better position to protect and grow your business.”
Summary
- Entrepreneurs and business professionals in Lesotho have been urged to prioritise legal awareness as a critical pillar for sustainable business growth, ahead of the Molao le Khoebo Annual Conference scheduled for March 26–27, 2026.
- He explained that while capacity-building workshops for small businesses remain important, the organisation identified an opportunity to expand its reach and impact by engaging larger enterprises, leading to the rebranding into a fully-fledged annual conference.
- For it to operate, it operates within the law, and even when it ends, it is resolved by the law,” he said.
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