Sharma ends Lesotho visit with pledge to support youth employment creation

The Commonwealth can work in partnership with other agencies to support Lesotho in core development areas, including skills-building for young people and the economic empowerment of women, Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma has said.

During his first visit to the Kingdom as Commonwealth Secretary-General, Mr Sharma last week reiterated his intention to focus on women and youth, who he said deserved special attention – particularly in terms of access to financial services at affordable costs.

Mr Sharma discussed future collaboration with King Letsie III, as well as key ministers, as part of the Commonwealth’s long-standing commitment to Lesotho, which joined the association in 1966.

“The Commonwealth must work in areas of comparative advantage in ways that can be felt progressively,” he said.

Mr Sharma held wide-ranging talks with the Prime Minister, Pakalitha Mosisili, Deputy Prime Minister Archibald Lesao Lehohla, and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations Mohlabi Kenneth Tsekoa.

He also held meetings with the Minister of Tourism, Environment and Culture, ‘Mannete ‘Malethole Ramaili, who is standing in for the Minister of Gender and Youth, Sports and Recreation.

Lesotho has a good record in terms of gender equality and is on target to meet Millennium Development Goals in education. But with a population of just 1.9 million, the landlocked kingdom completely surrounded by South Africa is challenged with a shortage of skilled workers, even as youth unemployment currently stands at around 30 per cent.

HIV and AIDS disproportionately affect young people’s choices as far as further education is concerned. Many are forced to stay at home or seek employment to support family members affected by the pandemic, the Secretary-General heard.

In a meeting with bankers in the capital, Maseru, Mr Sharma stressed the importance of engaging the private sector to support government efforts towards improving the skills base and employment opportunities for the country’s youth. In particular, job creation through small business initiatives was identified as fundamental to Lesotho’s future development.