Lesotho Youth Speak Out: Open Letter to Prime Minister Matekane Echoes a Nation’s Growing Concerns

In a powerful and heartfelt open letter that has begun to circulate widely across social media and youth networks, a young Mosotho woman has taken a bold step many are quietly contemplating: speaking directly to Lesotho’s Prime Minister, Sam Ntsokoane Matekane. The letter, penned by Charlene McPherson, a youth development advocate and HR professional, is not just a plea — it’s a blueprint, a challenge, and a reminder that the country’s youth are watching, waiting, and ready to participate in building a better Lesotho.

Addressed with respectful urgency, the letter begins:

“I write this letter as a young Mosotho, a youth development advocate and HR professional, passionate about bridging the gap between education and employability… I left [the PM’s Dialogue] with burning questions and ideas I would like to respectfully share in this open space — not just for myself, but on behalf of many young Basotho who are quietly watching, struggling, and hoping.”

Questioning the Entrepreneurship Narrative

McPherson raises a compelling critique of Lesotho’s heavy emphasis on entrepreneurship as the primary solution to youth unemployment. She acknowledges its importance but asks whether this narrative is being overstated — especially when many Basotho-owned businesses fail to survive beyond two years.

She offers a constructive alternative:

“Imagine a model where young entrepreneurs, including lihoai, aren’t left to fend for themselves. An overseeing consortium could support them structurally — collect produce like mahe, coordinate distribution, and provide reliable markets…”

This regional specialization and coordination model she proposes reflects both local ingenuity and practical foresight — qualities often overlooked in policy rooms.

NMDS and the Cost of Irrelevance

Turning her attention to the National Manpower Development Secretariat (NMDS), McPherson doesn’t hold back. She critiques the continued funding of “unemployable courses” — a frustration many graduates share as they find themselves qualified, yet unemployable.

“NMDS’s continued sponsorship of such degrees — when a skills audit has already been recommended — is not only wasteful, it’s disheartening.”

She calls for immediate enforcement of the skills audit proposed by the Council on Higher Education (CHE), and a redirection of funds toward programs with stronger labour market alignment.

A Call for Policy, Not Promises

Perhaps the most sobering part of the letter is her call for a stand-alone Employment Policy — a structured, enforceable national approach to job creation, youth quotas, disability inclusion, and private sector accountability.

“Real change is not accidental — it is policy-driven.”

McPherson draws inspiration from South Africa’s BBBEE model, suggesting Lesotho could adapt a similar framework to ensure that employers are accountable for youth employment. She doesn’t stop there, urging the inclusion of transition mechanisms to help students move from education into employment, and advocating for incentivised reporting by private companies.

A System, Not a Generation, Is Tired

In a line that has already been widely quoted online, McPherson writes:

“Basotho youth are not lazy. But the system is tired — tired of recycling good ideas without implementation.”

Her letter concludes on a hopeful note, thanking the Prime Minister for hosting the Dialogue event and expressing her wish that the thoughts of youth — even those who didn’t get a chance to speak — will be heard, respected, and acted upon.

The Bigger Picture

This open letter is more than a personal reflection; it has struck a chord with many across Lesotho. It’s a reminder that the nation’s young people are not waiting to be rescued — they are thinking critically, organizing quietly, and advocating actively.

Whether or not this particular letter leads to direct change, it is clear that the youth of Lesotho are ready to be co-authors of the country’s future — not just characters in its political narrative.

The ball is now in the court of Ntate Matekane and his government.

Will they listen? More importantly, will they act?