Quthing __ Prime Minister Mr. Samuel Matekane led a tour of exhibits for entrepreneurs, innovators and artists at an event to officiate the end of a series of Sebabatso roadshows held at Liphakoe sports ground, upper in Quthing on Saturday.

The roadshows have been held in different district since May 26th, in preparation for Sebabatso national conference, in which winners of Sebabatso from districts level will further compete for its different opportunities at higher upper class to be held at Manthabiseng conversation centre Maseru in September this year.

Speaking at the same event Mr. Matekane expressed his gratitude for the attendance of youth in large numbers, highlighting that their products are of good quality and respond to the needs of the country such as food and services.

He stated that Sebabatso gives the youth an opportunity and participate in international business trips, stating an example of some who went to South Africa recently and others in China this week, adding that they should take an opportunity of being among those to go to Madagascar Youth Connekt Africa Summit in November this year.

The Prime Minister further invited youth and investors to attend a meeting, where stakeholders will exchange ideas on what could be done to create job opportunities to be held at Manthabiseng convention centre in Maseru on Wednesday next week.

At the same event on behalf of Minister of Information, Communications, Science, Technology and Innovation, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Business Development Mr. Mokhethi Shelile highlighted that, University Innovation Pod (UniPod) is working with Sebabatso, it is available and open for Basotho who want to improve their products, supports innovators, both adults and youth from rural and urban areas irrespective of their education standards.

He said it is important for them to know that UniPod is not only for the graduates or young people, but it is open for all Basotho and has facilities designed for everyone who is an entrepreneur or can innovate, adding that they could all achieve their goals through Sebabatso.

At the same event, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Representative to Lesotho, Dr. Jacqueline Olweya pointed out that when the youth have a business or innovation ideas which seems to be nuclear or dark, and people tell them such ideas will not take them anywhere, they should pursue them, learn from others and not listen to people who discouraged them.

Dr. Olweya further said Sebabatso is there to support the youth in business and they should walk with it to grow in business. She gave an example of the founder of Matekane Group of Companies (MGC) who started from his small idea and persisted until it grew big, adding that the same person is also the Founder of Sebabatso.

On behalf of the youth at the event, Miss Nteboheleng Matsoso expressed gratitude for the occasion and commended the Prime Minister for his commitment in improving the lives of Basotho in general.

The event was attended by various public groups that comprise of Ministers, Development Partners, high ranking government officials, adults and youth.

Sebabatso is a youth empwerment initiative that focuses on promoting innovation and entrepreneurship particularly in the fields of science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics for Job creation and economic development.