When MESTECH opened its doors five years ago, it was a small team of tech enthusiasts determined to prove that Lesotho could build homegrown IT solutions that stand shoulder-to-shoulder with global standards. On Monday, the fast-rising company celebrated that vision coming of age with its 5th anniversary, under the theme “Building Basotho Futures through Technology.”
The milestone was not just a look back on what has been achieved, but a bold step forward. At the heart of the celebration was the launch of the MESTECH Coding Fellowship, a pioneering program aimed at grooming a new generation of Basotho ICT professionals. The fellowship, offered at no cost, promises to equip ICT graduates with advanced programming skills, mentorship, and the kind of real-world project exposure that the local industry often struggles to provide.
In his keynote address, MESTECH Managing Director Malefane Sello described the fellowship as a platform to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and industry needs.
“Too many of our graduates finish university only to find themselves underprepared for the demands of the modern ICT workplace,” he said. “Through the Coding Fellowship and partnerships across sectors, MESTECH reaffirms its commitment to nurturing digital talent and driving innovation in Lesotho.”
Sello is no stranger to the rigors of academic and professional excellence. With an Honours degree in Information Systems from the University of Cape Town, and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Mathematics from the National University of Lesotho—where he graduated as Best Student in both disciplines—he has become a figure of inspiration in the country’s growing ICT sector. He is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Information Technology at the University of Pretoria.
The anniversary was more than a company milestone—it became a forum for broader reflection on the role of technology in shaping Lesotho’s future. A high-level panel on ICT for Development (ICT4D) brought together some of the sector’s most dynamic voices: Hlabeli Batloung of Limkokwing University, Lerato MT Mphaka of Metropolitan Lesotho, and Mojabeng Senekal Ndebele, an international award-winning humanitarian who served as facilitator.
Discussions ranged from the integration of ICT in education, to the digitalization of governance, and how technology can unlock employability for Basotho youth. Panelists emphasized that while access to technology is growing, the country needs to accelerate capacity building to ensure it can fully participate in the global digital economy.
“We can no longer afford to see ICT as an optional add-on,” said Batloung. “It must be embedded in how we educate, govern, and do business in Lesotho.”
Mphaka highlighted the importance of partnerships between the private sector and educational institutions, noting that initiatives like the Coding Fellowship could provide “the practical exposure our young graduates so desperately need.”
For MESTECH, the celebration was also a chance to reflect on a journey marked by resilience, innovation, and steady growth. From its early days as a small IT consultancy, the company has expanded its services across software development, systems integration, and digital transformation solutions for clients in both the public and private sectors.
Over the past five years, it has built a reputation for not only delivering services but also contributing to conversations about digital transformation in Lesotho. The launch of the Coding Fellowship represents a natural extension of that mission—ensuring that the pipeline of Basotho tech talent continues to grow.
Msetech |Software Engineer Mr Bale welcomed the Coding Fellowship as a timely intervention stating that this will bridge the gap that is between graduation and employment or self emplioyment in a fast changing world.
“I’ was one of those who were worried about how to break into the tech industry after university,” Bale said. “This fellowship could be the opportunity that changes everything for people like me and I was one of the lucky few to get an opportunity with no prior experience with such a company like Mestech.”
For others, the launch symbolized something bigger: a recognition that Lesotho must invest in its people if it hopes to compete in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
As the event drew to a close, the message was clear—MESTECH is not content with being just another IT solutions company. It wants to be a catalyst for change, a builder of futures, and a bridge between youthful potential and professional opportunity.
Five years in, MESTECH is showing that technology in Lesotho is not just about solving problems—it’s about creating possibilities.
Summary
- At the heart of the celebration was the launch of the MESTECH Coding Fellowship, a pioneering program aimed at grooming a new generation of Basotho ICT professionals.
- With an Honours degree in Information Systems from the University of Cape Town, and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Mathematics from the National University of Lesotho—where he graduated as Best Student in both disciplines—he has become a figure of inspiration in the country’s growing ICT sector.
- “This fellowship could be the opportunity that changes everything for people like me and I was one of the lucky few to get an opportunity with no prior experience with such a company like Mestech.
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