Ithabeleng Qhasho
SPELLING A Business Africa (SABA) yesterday hosted a national spelling competition for high school learners at Lesotho High School in Maseru, combining the competition with business pitches designed to nurture entrepreneurship among young Basotho.
The event brought together learners who showcased their spelling abilities while also presenting innovative business ideas aimed at addressing challenges in their communities.
Deputy Prime Minister Nthomeng Majara praised the learners for developing business ideas that went beyond profit-making and sought to address pressing social issues.
“They are not just business ideas. You are actually addressing crucial societal issues,” Majara said, citing areas including environmental protection, waste management, health, hygiene, nutrition, beauty, fashion and design.
She also commended the strong participation of girls, saying their performance reflected changing gender dynamics and the growing role of young women in business and leadership.
Meanwhile, Minister of Energy and Mining Lejone Mpotjoane urged the learners to be deliberate about the problems their businesses sought to solve, saying entrepreneurship begins with identifying a need.
“If you understand the problem, then you know the market. Then you know your business idea,” he said.
Mpotjoane encouraged learners not to be discouraged if they failed to win, saying every experience presented an opportunity to learn and improve.
“In business, it’s either you win a prize or you win a lesson. Even if you don’t take the prize today, you have gained a very good lesson,” he said.
He further urged the learners to develop a culture of saving and investment, encouraging them to grow their businesses and eventually become investors.
“You have to grow in business, save money and invest money. I want you guys to be business investors,” Mpotjoane said.
UNICEF Deputy Representative Dr Bob Muchabaisa thanked the judges for their work, acknowledging the difficulty of selecting a single winner given the quality and potential demonstrated by the learners.
“I listened to the business ideas and I said to myself, ‘The future of this country is bright,’” he said.
Dr Muchabaisa said UNICEF’s involvement was driven by its commitment to the holistic development of children, including through life-skills development.
“Our aim is to ensure that young people are not just passing Geography, Maths or Science, but that they are solving problems. They are contributing to the development of this country. They are part of the solution,” he said.
He challenged the young entrepreneurs to move beyond ideas and turn their concepts into practical businesses capable of creating meaningful change.
“Transform your business ideas into something tangible,” Dr Muchabaisa said.
He also thanked the Government of Lesotho for partnering with UNICEF on initiatives aimed at empowering young people and developing their potential.
The SABA initiative seeks to nurture entrepreneurship among young Basotho by equipping learners with confidence, public-speaking skills and practical business knowledge from an early age.
