Moroke Sekoboto
THE Minister of Trade, Industry and Business Development, Mokhethi Shelile, has opened a locally owned apparel and textile factory, marking a significant milestone in the government’s quest to harness and develop Basotho industrialists.
The minister officially opened the factory, Tranquil Textiles (Pty) Ltd in Maputsoe, Leribe, yesterday hailing it as a good example of the entrepreneurship spirit of Basotho.
Tranquil Textiles founder, Clement Molupe, said the factory was established in 2019 with only four employees but now employs 60 workers.
Mr Molupe said that through strategic support and funding from the Competitiveness and Financial Inclusion (CAFI) programme, the company had expanded significantly, contributing meaningfully to job creation and skills development.
“We started in 2019 with four employees, but our mission was to expand and deliver large orders. We found buyers in Durban, but their conditions were that we should have a big operational place, many machines, and that we should be financially stable. That encouraged us to push for bigger space and purchase more machines,” Mr Molupe said.
Speaking at the opening, Mr Shelile emphasised that the growth of Tranquil Textiles aligns with the government’s vision of promoting Basotho-owned enterprises as drivers of sustainable employment and inclusive economic development.
Mr Shelile reiterated that industrialisation led by local entrepreneurs remained central to transforming the economy and reducing poverty. Mr Shelile also called upon Basotho youth to actively pursue entrepreneurial opportunities, emphasising that the public sector alone could not accommodate all job seekers.
He cited private sector development and entrepreneurship as indispensable pillars of economic transformation.
“We need to support locally-owned businesses to boost our economy. The government is committed to investing in local businesses by providing financial and technical support to ensure their sustainability,” Mr Shelile said.
“This official opening of Tranquil Textile stands as a testament to what can be achieved when vision, entrepreneurship, and coordinated government support converge to drive sustainable national development,” Mr Shelile said.
Mr Shelile further highlighted the recent launch of the Inclusive Growth Facility (IGF) as a vehicle for improving access to finance for entrepreneurs.
IGF is a joint initiative by his ministry and the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning designed to improve access to finance and enable broader participation of Basotho in the economy.
“We have recently launched IGF, where we have set aside M400 million to enhance access to finance for our entrepreneurs. We also introduced the Maseru Business Hub, a trade centre that is formed to advocate for domestic trade among sellers and the customers,” Mr Shelile said.
He also acknowledged the vital role played by CAFI in strengthening business sustainability and building the capacity of local entrepreneurs. He expressed appreciation to GiZ, with support from the European Union, for empowering Basotho, particularly within the cosmetics industry and the apparel and textile sectors.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to market access, stating that his ministry continues to work diligently to ensure that Lesotho-produced goods have access to local, regional, and international markets, thereby enhancing competitiveness and export growth.
The minister further highlighted the role of the Lesotho National Development Corporation (LNDC) as a key institution supporting both local and foreign investors.
“The LNDC plays a crucial role in making a positive impact on the economy by promoting investment across multiple sectors, fostering a diversified industrial base, and creating sustainable employment opportunities for Basotho through an enabling investment environment and targeted incentives,” Mr Shelile said.
