Africa-Press – Lesotho. Standard Lesotho Bank is in a drive charm to empower young women small and medium entrepreneurs. Yesterday, the blue bank ran its second initiative termed; Lionesses of Africa.
It is meant to empower, inspire and emancipate ambitious women to successful businesspersons for their economic development adventures. They came with their valuable products and older ladies who are captains of their respective industries were privileged to buy, connect and order as they wished.
Both parties networked for future business considerations. One such is La Reine Fashions founder and co-owner, Ms ‘Mathabiso Nono Tšoeu. Some of the products she sells include shades, spectacles frames and shoes amongst others.
She stocks from Hong Kong. Asked why Hong Kong in particular, she responded: “Because that’s where beautiful things happen. ” While she is satisfied with the orders from the business counter, she is aiming for a boutique.
‘Mataaso Mapuru was also part of aspiring businesswomen with hopes high. She runs her Well Lit business and was displaying smartly looking decorative candles of different types and colours.
Well established ladies told their upcoming younger sisters perseverance and patience are recipes for long term business fortunes. They corroborated their inspirational massages with personal experiences.
Said Thaba-Bosiu Risk Solution Managing Director, Ms ‘Matokelo Seturumane: “Women are not inferior, women are very powerful; every house in Lesotho was built by a woman.
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She said the persistence wives drive their husbands to build family houses must be applied in business adventures regardless bottlenecks along the pathway. She shared her true story when venturing into an insurance broking and alone in the office as the only employee and director.
Riverside Fresh Produce Board Director, Ms ‘Malerato Khoeli narrated a bitter pill to swallow in her industry whereby foreign enterprises dictated pricing terms to the disadvantage of business farmers.
She was of the opinion that the popular outcry of lacking business capital and believe that banks are reluctant to offer business loans can best be dealt with by using the little one have and working hard to grow.
Once the business grows every step of the way, she said banks will be on the lookout to offer loans. She said: “Grow your business till someone recognizes you.”
