Qacha’s Nek, Sept. 15 — The Acting District Education Manager, Mapepe Rakotje, has hailed Qacha’s Nek High School learner Liteboho Letlotlo’s national championship at the Spelling A Business Africa (SABA) competition, saying her achievement demonstrates the talent and determination that exist in the district.
Speaking to the Agency on Tuesday, Rakotje said he was proud of Letlotlo’s performance, which he said reflected the effort being made despite resource challenges. “I am very happy and proud of her performance. Her effort exceeded the challenges,” he said.
He said Qacha’s Nek lacks well-established businesses from which young people can draw motivation, but her performance showed that the district’s young people can compete successfully at the national level. “Despite that, she managed to outcompete people from districts with well-established businesses, and this shows her enthusiasm, determination and talent.”
Rakotje also commended Letlotlo’s teachers for recognising her potential and helping her throughout the competition, as well as everyone who supported her during the preparation process.
He appealed to schools to participate in activities organised by the Ministry for the benefit of learners and the district. “We have a challenge of participation by some schools. If they don’t, they will jeopardise pupils’ potential because they are being deprived of an opportunity which could change their lives for the better if it was granted, unleashing their potential which most of us, including the pupil, were not aware of,” he said.
He further urged parents and guardians to support their children in activities that provide opportunities for them to develop their talents and potential.
Letlotlo, a 15-year-old Grade 10 pupil, was crowned the national SABA champion, while Qacha’s Nek High School took first position among high schools and Qacha’sNek District secured second position.
She received M50,000 towards her business venture, together with mentorship to prepare her for the undertaking. She also received M5,000 for winning at district level, as well as a gold medal, trophy and certificate.
Qacha’sNek High School also received an appreciation trophy.
SABA was launched in Lesotho in 2023 by the Hololo Development Foundation, founded by Hon. Lejone Mpotjoane. It began as a competition for high school learners before expanding to include tertiary education, according to reports on the initiative.
SABA combines the spelling of business-related words with the development and pitching of business ideas. The competition promotes entrepreneurship, business literacy and innovation among young people, with participants assessed on their ability to develop innovative ideas, address climate change, demonstrate profit potential and present their ideas.
Keteng Metsing, an English teacher at Qacha’sNek High School and Letlotlo’s coach, said preparations began during the winter recess after the school learnt about the competition.
The school already had an English club and a WhatsApp group, which became the starting point for preparations.
Metsing used the platform to have learners practise not only spelling but also pitching business ideas. Although SABA is centred on commercial subjects, she brought it under the school’s English activities because of the communication and presentation skills required. “I asked them to start pitching ideas in the group and I polished them,” she said.
By the time the school reopened, Metsing said the learners’ ideas were already clear.
Preparing the learners required her to take on responsibilities beyond conventional English teaching. She had to read their business proposals, research business concepts and find ways of helping them strengthen their ideas despite not having a formal background in business. “It was a beautiful journey, with a lot of work though, as you have to read their business proposal and try to give them direction when you are just a teacher who knows nothing about business,” she said.
The experience also changed the way she viewed her learners. “You know, when you teach learners English, not expecting them to have the ambition to start their own businesses, they have such brilliant ideas that when you look at them as children, you will not think they are thinking of such,” she said.
Once the learners began explaining their ideas, Metsing said, their confidence and understanding became apparent. “They would even paint a picture of it and be certain about it,” she said.
The district sent five learners to the national competition, three of whom came from Qacha’sNek High School; Letlotlo, Moeketsi Pati and Moeletsi Leqheka. The other two were Amohelang Japi of Makhaola High School and Rethabile Phole of St Francis High School.
Metsing said the three Qacha’sNek High School learners performed strongly, helping the school secure first position among high schools.
She said the spelling component contributed 10 percent of the final mark. Due to limited time, each participant was given one word to spell, and all three Qacha’s Nek High School learners correctly spelled their words.
The competition also assessed learners on the innovativeness of their business ideas, their ability to address climate change, profit generation and presentation skills.
Although the other district representatives did not make the national Top 10, Metsing said their performance demonstrated the strength of the district’s representation.“It became evident that they too did very well to put both the school and district where they are,” she said.
For Metsing, the experience ultimately went beyond the competition results.“I am humbled more than being happy,” she said. Recalling Basotho saying that “a teacher’s reward is in heaven,” Metsing said seeing her learners’ lives change for the better was the greatest reward. “It is a great feeling to see children’s lives changing for the better, which is something I strive for every day. That is my biggest task, to have an impact in their lives,” she said.
Ends/MAPM
