Youth Unemployment in Lesotho: Government Job Creation Initiatives Meet with Mixed Reactions

The Lesotho government's recent youth dialogue hosted by Prime Minister Ntsokoane Matekane has sparked a range of reactions from young people, with some expressing excitement and optimism about job creation initiatives, while others voiced concerns about the lack of concrete solutions to pressing issues. The dialogue aimed to address the youth unemployment crisis, with a target of creating 70,000 jobs.

Key Takeaways:

• Prime Minister Matekane declared youth unemployment a state of national disaster and announced several measures to combat it, including zero business registration fees for small and medium enterprises, free tender documents online, and a 40% quota of government procurements for youth businesses.
• Minister of Trade, Hon. Mokhethi Shelile, promised 3,000 jobs through Cafi in the next two years and 5,000 jobs through the Lesotho Entrepreneurship Hub and Seed Financing.
• Youth entrepreneurs highlighted the importance of access to funding and business support services, with some calling for the government to revisit laws surrounding the trade of diamonds and medical cannabis.
• Lintle Tiloe, an entrepreneur from Roma, expressed frustration about being displaced from their vending site due to a road construction project and the lack of a suitable alternative.
• Mahlape Makhele, a skilled factory worker, pleaded with the government to provide funding to help Basotho youth open their own factories and provide employment opportunities.

Statistics:

• 200 businesses were displaced due to a road construction project in Roma.
• The cost of a business license to grow and sell medical cannabis in Lesotho is M500,000.
• 3,000 jobs will be created through Cafi in the next two years.
• 5,000 jobs will be created through the Lesotho Entrepreneurship Hub and Seed Financing.
• 40% of government procurements will be allocated to youth businesses.

Sources:

• "Youth dialogue: Lesotho government promises to create 70 000 jobs" - Informative
• "Lesotho launches plan to create 70 000 jobs, declares youth unemployment a state of national disaster" - Prime Minister's Office
• "Minister of Trade promises 3 000 jobs under Cafi and 5 000 jobs through Lesotho Entrepreneurship Hub and Seed Financing" - Ministry of Trade
• "Business owners in Roma displaced from their vending site" - Informative
• "Government urged to revisit laws surrounding the trade of diamonds and medical cannabis" - Informative