Nthatuoa Koeshe
DEPUTY Prime Minister Mathibeli Mokhothu has purchased M30 000 worth of assorted goods from street vendors in Leribe and Mafeteng as part of his Democratic Congress (DC) party’s initiative to empower informal traders around the country.
The goods, which included prepared meals, fruits and vegetables, were purchased during Mr Mokhothu’s whirlwind weekend tour of the two districts. They were subsequently donated to 50 vulnerable senior citizens in the two districts.
Addressing DC supporters in Kolo, Mafeteng, Mr Mokhothu said his party was committed to empowering vendors and improving the lives of ordinary people under its Rata-oa-Heno (love your community) programme.
“The DC has programmes to address the numerous challenges that Basotho go through,” Mr Mokhothu said.
“Because we care about informal traders and we want to see their businesses grow, the DC purchased various goods from them worth M30 000 and we have donated the items to the elderly.
“We do not just buy from informal traders; we also help those whose businesses need a boost. To this end, we purchased stock for several vendors amounting to M3000 each.”
He said his party had adopted a non-partisan approach and did not consider the political affiliation of the vendors and people they assisted.
The DC is the second biggest party in the All Basotho Convention (ABC)-led governing coalition. Mr Mokhothu said his party would turn its programmes into actionable government policies if it won next year’s elections.
He said other programmes included the DC Child campaign aimed at empowering young women and girls. Under this programme, some of the young women and girls will receive training to fulfil their dreams to enter the male-dominated aviation industry. Others would be enrolled in a driving school to enable them to become licensed drivers.
The DC also donated money, blankets and gumboots to herd boys and other community members in the two districts.
