Letsatsi Selikoe
First National Bank (FNB)-Lesotho and the Basotho Enterprise Development Corporation (BEDCO), recently marked Africa Day by assembling small businesses from the northern parts of Lesotho for a flea market to help them showcase their products.
The flea market was held at Pitso House in Hlotse, Leribe.
Small business owners and entrepreneurs from the Berea, Leribe, and Butha Buthe distircts gathered for the celebratory flea market.
Speaking at the event, FNB Lesotho Communications Manager, Masakoane Hanyane, said that over the past four years, her bank had commemorated Africa Day in unique ways.
In 2023, they organised a similar flea market for small businesses in Maseru, she said.
Ms Hanyane said that was all to give back to their clients and the community at large “as we celebrate 20 years of FNB in Lesotho together with the 200 years of the Basotho nation’s existence”.
“We will be stretching a hand to vulnerable children by placing containers at all our branches to collect donations for them,” Ms Hanyane said.
This year, she said, they identified the need to expand their outreach to other districts with a similar initiative, hence they selected Hlotse as the venue for their efforts.
Amidst the lively atmosphere at the event, business owners expressed their gratitude to FNB for the initiative, acknowledging the importance of such initiatives in boosting their businesses.
However, they also voiced a sentiment shared by many—that support for local enterprises should not be a sporadic occurrence, but a consistent effort.
“We are thankful for the opportunity to showcase our products here today, but we believe that events like this shouldn’t be occasional,” remarked Motlatsi Molapo of AfroSoul Creations, a local artisan.
“Having a dedicated spot, like a market day every week, would provide us with a reliable platform to reach customers and grow our businesses.”
His sentiment was echoed by several other business owners who emphasized the need for consistent support to help them sustain and expand their enterprises.
They suggested that designating a specific day, such as Sundays, as a regular market spot for local businesses, would not only benefit entrepreneurs but also create a familiar destination for consumers seeking unique, locally-made goods.
In his address at the event, Minister of Trade, Industry and Business Development, Mokhethi Shelile, recognized the importance of the ongoing support for small enterprises and the role of financial institutions like FNB in facilitating economic growth.
He commended the entrepreneurial spirit of Basotho business owners and pledged to explore ways to create more opportunities for them to thrive.
