Maseru, July 13 — Bicycle delivery business is emerging as a practical solution to youth unemployment in Lesotho, with young entrepreneurs creating jobs, generating income and providing fast, reliable delivery services despite challenges such as poor road conditions and reckless motorists.
Speaking in an interview with the Agency, Mr. Tokelo Matefo, owner of Matefo Delivery Services, said his bicycle delivery business is legally registered with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Business Development and has been operating for 10 months.
He said the business delivers medication, groceries, clothing and other goods that can safely be transported by bicycle.
Mr. Matefo said he ventured into bicycle delivery after realising that many of his business ideas required significant capital, while the delivery business could be started with minimal investment.
He explained that before acquiring a bicycle, he delivered goods on foot, which made some customers doubt his credibility. He added that cyclists also face challenges from motorists who often fail to respect them on the road.
He further said poor road conditions, particularly potholes, continue to pose a safety risk for bicycle riders. Despite these challenges, he said the business enable him to pay rent, meet his daily basic needs and live independently without formal employment.
Mr. Matefo appealed to the government to improve road infrastructure and increase public awareness about bicycle delivery services. He also encouraged young people to venture into the business while observing road safety rules and traffic signs.
Meanwhile, Emerald Delivery owner Mr. Reaoboka Matamane said he is in the process of registering his business, which started with a single bicycle and has now expanded to several bicycles purchased through the proceeds of the business pointing out that he has employed five people.
Having operated for one and a half years, Mr. Matamane said the business delivers food, groceries, medicines and documents. He said he entered the industry after recognising limited employment opportunities for young people and seeing bicycle delivery as a viable source of income that requires relatively little start-up capital.
He said, besides providing an income, the work promotes good health because it involves physical exercise through cycling.
Mr. Matamane, however, cited several challenges including reckless driving by public transport operators, poor communication from some clients and unfavourable weather conditions that affect deliveries during heavy rain and strong winds. He revealed that he had previously been involved in a road accident while on duty.
He also noted that potholes remain a major concern, although he commended the government for installing streetlights, saying they have improved safety and enabled deliveries to continue at night.
Mr. Matamane said the increase in public transport fares has contributed to business growth, as more customers now prefer bicycle delivery services. He urged the government to support the sector and educate road users to respect cyclists.
He encouraged aspiring entrepreneurs to remain patient, reliable and trustworthy, saying he started the business as a hobby before turning it into a successful enterprise.
One of the customers, Ms. Itumeleng Lekoatsa, praised bicycle delivery services for being reliable, fast and convenient. She said cyclists are able to reach places where motor vehicles cannot and can collect or deliver goods directly to homes and workplaces.
Ms. Lekoatsa, who frequently uses the service to transport clothing, said bicycle delivery has significantly improved her business because she no longer has to wait until weekends to deliver stock. She said delivery riders usually arrive within 10 minutes after being contacted.
She said the only challenge she has experienced is that riders may occasionally be far from her location, causing slight delays.
Nevertheless, she commended their consistent communication throughout the delivery process and their ability to navigate through traffic more quickly than motor vehicles.
Ms. Lekoatsa encouraged businesses and the public to support bicycle delivery operators, saying the service saves time, improves business efficiency and is becoming an important part of Lesotho’s growing transport and delivery sector.
Ends/ MAMAJ/tl
