Africa-Press – Lesotho. Lekokoaneng is popularly known for sandstone mines of which were partly owned by foreigners in the past, however that has changed now as the mines are now mostly owned by Basotho
including women. In a bid to unveil the journey of some of these women, Informative Newspaper reached out to Lishopong Sand Stone Designing owner ‘Maretšepile Ramothobi and Khalapa Lia
Buselletsana owner ‘Mampiti Mopeli. At the age of 30, Ramothobi is doing well in her tombstone business, Lishopong Sand Stone. Now a widow, she is able to raise her two children aged 11 and 6.
She and her husband saw a business opportunity around this area and started with the little capital they had. The business has now employed 14 men. “We sell both locally and outside
the country whereby we even install tombstones, we have been getting support from all districts. It became very challenging for our market in South Africa
after the emergence of Covid-19, so the market abroad has declined a bit since our clients specifically want installation,” she stated. “After my husband passed
on I had to take over everything in the business unlike before when I was looking after the family. This time I am forced to push a stone that weighs 600kg, carry
a grinder or bend all day to perfect the work,” Ramothobi said. She also shared about her plan to expand the business. Ramothobi further invited women to engage in all kinds of business and shift their mind from the gender
stereotypes. “Being a woman doesn’t mean one needs to always carry a hand bag, one can take a spade to plant anything that can put food on the table,” she advised.
Meanwhile Mopeli stated that she started the business using a partnership model whereby she partnered with a few friends in the 90s and opened a sandstone mine.
However the company had to close down. “So in 2006 I decided to start my own company, which now has 25 employees – eight women and 17 men,” she added.
She explained that they extract sand stones intensively using big three machineries. “We contribute 3% to Lesotho economy, that is why I urge women to join us as more work is available in our space, it
only needs passion, dedication and hard work,” she noted. Mopeli’s company cuts stones for all purposes including designing of tombstones. The stone is of high
quality, that is, it is unbreakable. The company sells both locally and abroad and so far their market has been satisfactory. “We are mostly challenged
by the availability of water in our dams since we use plenty of water during production, so in dry season we incur extreme expenses as we have to fill up tanks with
water, which we draw from far places. The other important thing I would ask from the government is to supply us with a health Centre, at least a clinic where we can run Tuberculosis tests for our employees and refer those who get injured during mining,” she pleaded.
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