MASERU — Spelling A Business Africa (SABA) has officially launched its High School Edition 2026, an initiative aimed at equipping learners with entrepreneurial skills and business knowledge to enable them to become future job creators.
Speaking at the event, His Royal Highness Prince Lerotholi Mohato Seeiso said the initiative had the potential to strengthen the foundation laid at high school level and feed into tertiary education and beyond.
Prince Lerotholi said the initiative was also important in placing Lesotho at the forefront of entrepreneurship development in the region and beyond.
He encouraged young people to take advantage of the opportunity, saying the programme would help build their confidence and equip them with skills to start businesses and create employment.
Prince Lerotholi said his patronage and personal investment in SABA’s mission were aligned with the organisation’s vision and the work being done with schools, principals, teachers, partners and sponsors.
He said the initiative should be viewed as a long-term investment, comparing it to a seed
SABA Founder, Mr. Lejone Mpotjoane, said the idea was inspired by his experience as an entrepreneur and the need to address the growing levels of unemployment among graduates.
He said Lesotho and Africa were rich in natural resources and minerals, but the continent continued to face challenges such as unemployment and limited African ownership of businesses.
Mr. Mpotjoane said SABA identified education and entrepreneurship as an opportunity to equip young people with the knowledge and skills needed to participate actively in the economy.
He said the initiative started in 2024 with 10 schools, while the number increased to 17 schools at district level in 2025.He said SABA had since been registered as a regional organisation, although Spelling A Business Africa would remain rooted in Lesotho.
Mr. Mpotjoane said the organisation was working with the Ministry of Education and Training, schools, sponsors and other partners to expand the initiative.
He said the organisation wanted to see the economy of Lesotho in the hands of Basotho, adding that young people needed to be prepared to become business owners and investors.
The Minister of Education and Training, Professor Ntoi Rapapa, said making a difference in the life of one learner could have a broader impact on society.
Prof. Rapapa urged learners to look beyond their immediate circumstances and recognise their potential to contribute to the development of the country.
He expressed support for the initiative and encouraged stakeholders to continue working together to ensure that it grew and benefited more learners.
Meanwhile, SABA President, Mr. Matsoso Sefali, said the launch was a demonstration of the potential of Basotho youth to develop practical skills and contribute to economic development.
Mr. Sefali said the high school years were a crucial period in which young people shaped their identities and future aspirations, but that practical and long-term empowerment was often overlooked during this stage.
He said the High School Edition sought to address that gap by introducing learners to entrepreneurship and business literacy.
He said the programme aimed to show young people that they had the capacity to create their own paths and become solution providers rather than merely job seekers.
Mr. Sefali said the initiative would help foster a generation of job creators, which was vital for sustainable national development and economic resilience.
The launch was attended by government officials, education stakeholders, school representatives, sponsors and members of the media.
Spelling A Business Africa (SABA) was established in 2024 with 10 schools participating in its inaugural programme.
The initiative expanded to 17 schools at district level in 2025 and has since grown through partnerships with the Ministry of Education and Training, schools, sponsors and other stakeholders.
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