THE National Career Expo has marked a successful end of a weeklong five-district tour across Mokhotlong, Butha-Buthe, Berea, Mafeteng and Maseru.
The nationwide initiative, hosted by Mind Liberation Psychology Consultancy, and supported by Standard Lesotho Bank (SLB), brought together students, educators and industry leaders to empower high school learners with practical career guidance, financial literacy and real-world inspiration.
It kicked off in Mokhotlong on 9 February 2026, with the final leg held at ‘Manthabiseng Convention Centre in Maseru over the weekend.
Among the keynote speakers was Palesa Ntlhakana, Head of Brand and Marketing at Standard Lesotho Bank, who highlighted the significance of the Expo during her opening remarks. She noted that the programme coincides with a historic milestone as the Bank celebrates 30 years of operating in Lesotho, underscoring its long-standing commitment to national development and education.
Ms Ntlhakana encouraged students to use the Expo as a platform to make informed career choices in a rapidly evolving world shaped by technology, innovation and emerging industries. She stressed that Lesotho’s future economic growth will depend on skills in STEM, digital innovation, finance, entrepreneurship, agribusiness, renewable energy, healthcare, creative industries and manufacturing. She added that the Bank invests more than one million maloti annually in education-focused initiatives, including bursaries, academic awards, financial literacy programmes and youth banking solutions designed to support young people as they transition into adulthood.
The District Administrator of Maseru, Tsepo Lethobane, echoed the importance of the Expo, noting that exposure to real-life experiences from professionals helps learners make more informed career decisions. He shared his personal journey of starting school at the age of 15 while balancing family responsibilities, including caring for livestock, as a message of perseverance and resilience for students facing similar challenges. He further encouraged organisers to extend future programmes to rural communities within Maseru to reach learners with limited access to career guidance.
Additional speakers included the SLB Advertising Manager, Mahlompho Lintle Monare, and Moloi Mokete from the Lesotho Communications Authority, who shared his journey from being a top-performing high school student to graduating as the best student at the National University of Lesotho. Representatives from the National Manpower Development Secretariat and the South African Qualifications Authority also engaged learners on funding opportunities and qualification pathways for tertiary education.
Students actively participated throughout the event, answering interactive questions and receiving Standard Lesotho Bank goodie bags.
In closing, the SLB Acting Head of Personal Banking, Thato Mathule, thanked the organisers, sponsors and the Ministry of Education and Training for their support, and urged students to seize the opportunities and knowledge shared during the Expo.
The week-long programme concluded with student entertainment, ending on a high note after days of inspiration, learning and empowerment for Basotho youth.
