Maseru, Aug. 21 — The SATO sporting event is providing local entrepreneurs with an opportunity to showcase their products and connect with potential customers, with traders saying the gathering has created a valuable market for their businesses.
Among those benefiting from the event is Ms. Malenea Lenea, a local maker of straw hats and Lesotho Branded shoes, who said events such as SATO are important because they provide entrepreneurs with access to a wider market.
Ms. Lenea said events such as SATO are important because they provide entrepreneurs with a market, adding that the event had also given her an opportunity to promote her products.
She said she had been encouraged by the response from people attending the event, adding that the opportunity to display locally made products could help small businesses reach more customers.
Another entrepreneur showcasing her work at the event is Ms. Mats’eliso Hloma, an entrepreneur who graduated with an Honours degree in Entrepreneurship at Limkokwing University of Creative Technology in 2023.
Hloma, who has more than 10 years of experience in beadwork, produces a wide range of products, including beaded cups, shoes and caps.
She said her business grew from her passion for art, which motivated her to turn her creativity into an enterprise.
“For me, events like this mean opportunity, being seen and networking,” Hloma said.
She described the reception at the event as positive, saying it had left her motivated to continue developing her business.
The participation of the two entrepreneurs demonstrates how sporting gatherings can also provide platforms for small businesses to promote locally made products, build networks and reach potential customers.
SATO therefore offers not only a space for sporting activities, but also an opportunity for entrepreneurs to expose their products to new markets while contributing to the promotion of local creativity and enterprise.
Ends/TS/tl
