Despite hundreds of youth graduating from institutions of higher learning in and outside Lesotho, the rate of unemployment is mounting, leaving able bodied, educated young men and women idle.
news
Oct. 18, 2020
KABELO MASOABI
4 min read
‘Think beyond your limits’ - entrepreneur Moletsane Seeta
Mr Moletsane Seeta in his executive seat as an entrepreneur
While most of young people imagine they could have wasted money by going to school since they have nowhere to apply what they learned as there are no job opportunities for them in Lesotho, Moletsane Seeta begs to differ: “Think beyond your age and your limits.”
His philosophy maybe an answer to the Lesotho’s youth unemployment rate estimated to be 33.68 percent according to 2019 International Labour Organisation (ILO) report.
Responding to the crisis of unemployment, Lesotho’s Prime Minister, Dr Moeketsi Majoro has been on the nationwide crusade to persuade the business sector to create jobs and to encourage young graduates to be creative and start their own businesses within their communities.
The young Seeta, 25, from Leribe is an example of how youth can think out of the box. He takes Metro through his journey to becoming his own boss of a funeral parlour business in Thaba-Tseka, and the role education played in achieving his goal.
He is the Vaal University of Technology graduate in Human Resource Management Diploma and B-Tech and says the course included studies in marketing, entrepreneurship, labour relations, labour law and business management that built him to become a young entrepreneur.
In this interview, he speaks with Metro News (MN) Reporter Kabelo Masoabi.
MN: Having been unemployed for over a year now, do you believe the education you have acquired was just a waste of time?
MS: Definitely not! When you gain a degree, you accomplish a big step. You gain knowledge, skill and experience to help you both in your career and in life in general. On top of that, by gaining additional skill in communication and problem solving and achieving your goals, you can also increase your confidence.
MN: What is your take on education and business; do you mean that education gave you the necessary tools to start the business you have now?
MS: Yes. Both education and communication are important. Education is only necessary for some jobs though. It really depends on the job. Communication skills are almost always important. The best thing to do is to decide what career business you are interested in; and research the requirements.
Moletsane Seeta in his graduation gown
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MN: Can you briefly explain your business?
MS: It is an insurance company located at Katse and Phakoeng in the Thaba-Tseka district. It’s a new baby that was established last year with the sole purpose of meeting halfway the remote people with essential services. Taking into consideration the challenges of infrastructure, and from the research we have made, at the moment we are offering sourced services such as selling tombstones, funeral cover policies and transportation of human remains (bodies) from South Africa and within local. Other services including construction of a mortuary structure and erecting branches in other places are in the pipeline.
MN: Many businesses are struggling to cope with negative impacts brought by the Covid-19 pandemic that has affected the whole world. With such a short period in business, do you see prosperity?
MS: Fortunately, this business was declared essential service and was given green light to operate during the difficult times of lockdowns. So, on our side it was business as usual. The only problem was that there were restrictions against holding public gatherings and that is where we market the business. However, the strong and committed marketing team we have still managed to pull it together and I’m confident to say I see a promising light ahead.
MN: How did you develop the idea of starting a funeral parlour company? It sounds rare for your age.
MS: I know it would sound strange to folks of my age to think of a business that deals with people who have passed on but, I always say there is opportunity in every situation. If you don’t do it, then who will do it? That’s the outlook I have. Never limit your thinking ability to your age because you will never be able to discover your full potential.
MN: What are the top traits of a successful business?
MS: There are many, but I will mention a few:
The management team should know the business goals, objectives and vision at their fingertips; and should be focused in the pursuit of the company’s objectives.
Strategy; without a defined strategy, businesses drift away from their customers, ultimately becoming less competitive and less profitable.
Marketing segment is one of the most fundamental concepts in marketing and your choice of which approach to adopt will directly affect the impact of segmentation on your business. It’s about understanding the needs of customers and, therefore, how they decide between one offer and another.
MN: What do you think the government should do to help youth fight the prevailing surge in unemployment?
MS: Government should strengthen projects that generate necessary resources for its people to be able to start businesses with ease. Grants and loans should be easily accessed with a minimum risk. Investing in infrastructure is also important for developing economy of every country; quality roads, electricity and other essential services should be in place across the country for people to access service providers without difficulties.
MN: And what role should youth play in this?
MS: Once you have managed to start a business, maintain providing a quality service and create jobs for others like we have done; currently we have three permanent staff and have employed sales agents based in all our ten districts.
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