Kabelo Tjeketsi
Prime Minister Samuel Matekane has challenged Lesotho youth to seize opportunities presented by his youth empowerment initiative, Sebabatso.
A visionary approach designed to overcome the economic challenges faced by young entrepreneurs, Sebabatso incorporates a comprehensive, multi-pronged strategy, involving collaboration with key ministries, private sector stakeholders, civil society, and potential investors.
The United Nations Development Progrmme (UNDP) is a key partner in the initiative, which was launched in 2023.
Addressing a recent road show to raise awareness about the Sebabatso initiative in Thaba Tseka district, Matekane stressed the importance of empowering the next generation and engaging with the international community through initiatives like the Youth Connekt Africa (YCA).
YCA is a pan-African platform with the vision of connecting African youth for socio-economic transformation. It seeks to empower young people through enhancing their knowledge, experiences and skills while investing in their ideas, innovations and initiatives.
The Thaba Tseka roadshow marked the conclusion of a nation wide campiagn that was also aimed identifying youth to represent Lesotho in the Youth Connekt Summit 2024, to be held in Rwanda this year.
“We want our youth to be exposed to a different environment and grow in a different environment,” he said, adding that the exposure will lead to opportunities for personal and professional growth.
“I want to call upon the youth to make full use of this opportunity and be the best.”
Matekane further said there were about 32 countries that have registered with YCA, and Lesotho qualifies as the 33rd country as it has met one of the YCA requirements.
On their part, UNDP Resident Representative Dr Jacqueline Olwenya and UN Coordinator Ms Amanda Khozi Mukwashi showed Lesotho with praises for coming up with the Sebabatso initiative, which lead to it registering with the YCA.
The YCA initiative was launched in 2014 by Rwandan president, Paul Kagame, in partnership with the UNDP and other organizations. Since its inception, the initiative has been working to connect youth to educational and employment opportunities, as well as providing them with mentorship and support.
