IN a move to enhance the sluggish economy and create employment, Prime Minister Dr Moeketsi Majoro has called for the overall support of small businesses in the country.

Speaking on Saturday in Ha Tsolo, Maseru during a thanksgiving ceremony for a youth who has established a successful business in the area, the PM said small business owners need land to establish long-term operations and investments.

Dr Majoro who is also a Member of Parliament for the Thetsane Constituency described small businesses as both the backbone of Lesotho and guaranteed economic drivers.

He therefore urged Basotho to become job creators, while also appealing to the youth to establish their own projects.

On a different, the premier also reminded Basotho about their responsibility to stay safe against the raging COVID-19 pandemic.

He said there are thousands of Basotho nationals who work and live in South Africa, where the virus has had more devastating effects.

Most of those people, Dr Majoro said are now back home for the Christmas holidays.

“It is imperative that those people get tested for the virus and community leaders should ensure that the virus is controlled,” he said, adding that should be done in order to avoid the second wave of the pandemic.

Speaking at the same event, Senator Mphonyane Lebesa said vision is essential in business and has positive results.

He said community leaders should advocate for participation of Basotho in business so that they contribute in the country's economic development.
For his part, the young entrepreneur who was being honoured, Potso Rabeng said it takes hard work, dedication and vision to run a successful business.