Maseru – The Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Association held an-inaugural Basotho Business Empowerment Forum at Victory Hall Maseru on Wednesday 17th April. The purpose of the event was to discuss various challenges faced by Lesotho’s small businesses.
Opening remarks by Mrs Malitlou Morojele, informed that in-the 1990s the government formulated trading enterprise policies, which triggered an influx of Chinese and Indians to enter Lesotho and those policies has immensely disadvantaged local businesses.
Mrs Morojele further lamented that the government formulates-policies but they fail to implement them, “whenever we ask Ministers about the implementation of these policies we are moved from pillar to post”.
She also emphasized that corruption has led Lesotho to become a country it is it is today where foreigners get Lesotho identity documents while residing in their birth countries.
In an effort to share methods that can remedy Lesotho’s deficient business sphere, Mrs. Orefitlhile Masire a specially elected member of the Botswana Business Board touched on the importance of indigenization of business ownership in Botswana.
Her insightful talk noted that Business Botswana-changed their country’s business landscape. The organization is currently representing over 2500 businesses. Mrs Masire further highlighted Botswana’s success in business is attributable to the strategies her oganization implements and services they provide.
She also stated that the wholesalers do not compete with retailers. Big retail shops like Pick n Pay and Woolworths procure fruits and vegetables from local businesses,
“I urge the Government of Lesotho to try and use all these tips to grow its economy”.
An opportune moment to share ideas on how to put back the economy into Basotho’s hands, revealed the long-held frustrations of business owners.
Distraught Teboho Motšepe representing Meat Traders bemoaned the fact that major tenders are reserved for politicians and the butchers receive the shot end of the stick in šbusiness opportunities.
“We will never stop stealing Basotho cows because we do not have money to sustain our businesses and if ever the minister of trade does not implement the regulations today he must get out of that door, we do not want him here,” said Motšepe.
Motšepe’s speech quickly escalated the tone of the event as members of the parliament (MPs) took offence and stormed out of the event.
MPs expressed they felt disrespected and are facing similar problems in their businesses.
Furthermore they are there to listen to the problems and present the issues in parliament. They also mentioned that the speakers at this event are pushing their own political agendas.
Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Natural Resources Moeketsi Motšoane, emphasized that the association wants to divide them as politicians .
Speaking to Lesotho on the sidelines of this event, Mrs. Morojele mentioned that this event was not about politics but people no longer have the patience to wait for empty promises, they have suffered enough. All they wanted were answers and that is where the members of the parliament thought they were being attacked.
She further explained that they do not care about politics all they want is for government to implement the business licensing regulations as passed by Parliament.
When asked whether Basotho do not have the capacity to handle major projects, she explained that Basotho are very much capable of doing any job when given a chance.
Lesotho Tribune sought comment from Lebohang Thotanyane and this is what he had to say, “unfortunately there is no political will to implement the preference margin…”
When asked what his views are about the attitude of the current government, who coincidentally are from business, Thotanyane said, “surprisingly like you say these are people from the business sector but one can see that current policies are not pro business in anyway.”
“Government has stopped using middlemen, agents and company reps when in fact the countries they look up to such as Rwanda and Botswana reserved business to natives and even legislated it,” Thotanyane added.
He concluded by saying, “government needs to reconsider its positions on many fronts if it is to achieve the private sector led economy as they say. It is unfortunate that businesses are closing in numbers during their reign and they are doing nothing about it.”
Below is the list of businesses reserved exclusively for indigenous Basotho;
1. International road freight transport and logistics.
2. Road transport & logistics.
3. Motor dealer.
4. Real Estate agency.
5. Clearing agency.
6. Warehousing activities.
7. Retail sale of household fuel, bottled gas & coal.
8. Fast food activities without full restaurant services.
9. Hair dressing and beauty treatment (Division 9602).
10. Repairs & maintenance of Motor Vehicle & motor cycle.
11. Activities of households as employers of domestic personnel (Division 97).
12. Cleaning of motor vehicles.
13. Raising of horses.
14. Raising of sheep and goats.
15. Raising of swine & pigs.
16. Raising of poultry.
17. Sale of livestock & livestock products.
18. Tour operator activities (Division 79).
19. Cleaning activities ( Division 81).
20. Landscape care & maintenance service activities (Division 8130).
21. Photographic activities (Division 7420).
22. Retail sale via stalls & market of food, beverages & tobacco products (Division 4781, Retail sale via stalls & market of textiles, clothing & footwear (4782).
23. Retail sale of cultural and recreation goods in specialised stores (Division 476).
24. Activities of business agents and brokers (Division 6622) articles in specialised stores, including wholesale & Retail sale of health related articles or products.
25. Retail sale of animal feeds, including animal & crops medical goods & chemicals.
26. Retail sale of bread & confectionery products.
27. Retail sale of motor vehicle parts & accessories.
28. Repairs of motor vehicle parts including vehicle tyres & motorcycle parts.
29. Retail sale, maintenance and repair of motorcycles & related parts & accessories.
30. Wholesale and retail sale of alcoholic beverages whether or not consumed on the spot (off-sale, tarven, shebeen & public bar).
31. Wholesale & Retail sale of meat & meat products, including poultry.
32. Retail sale of fruits & vegetables.
33. Growing of fruits & vegetables.
34. Retail sale of prepared meat & meat dishes whether consumed on the spot ( Chesa-Nama) without full restaurant services.
35. Supply of liquefied petroleum gas & petroleum products ( filling stations).
36. Retail sale I’m non-specialised stores (Division 471
).
37. Retail sale of hardware, paints & glass products.
38. Retail sale of second-hand goods.
39. Retail sale not in stores, stalls or markets.
40. Wholesale & Retail sale of pharmaceutical & medical goods, cosmetics & toilet articles in specialised stores, including wholesale and retail sale of health related articles or products.
41. Mobile food services & other food services.
42. Printing and business support services.
43. Photocopying, document preparation & other specialised office support services.
44. Electrical, plumbing & other construction installation activities (Division 432).
45. Welding services.
46. Repair of footwear & clothing.
47. Metal waste or scraps.
