By Matṧeliso Phulane
Lethola Mofubetsoane is the founder of Amazing Garden and Fountain Design that specializes in landscaping, decorating, paving, building fireplaces, water fountains and flower pots.
In an interview with theReporter this week, Mofubetsoane said his business commenced in 2020, after he noticed that there is a huge gap in the country when it comes to landscaping creativity.
“I have noticed that Basotho love beautiful things but they only see them in other countries. Therefore, I started my business with the aim to bring an answer for interesting things they like to see in their homes. Everything that’s attractive makes a good business.
“We now live in the world where competition is very high among the youth. If someone has a beautiful home or anything unique which is rare in the country, his or her neighbour will strive to have it too,” he said.
Mofubetsoane further indicated that unlike earlier when people would just plant flowers and use crushed glass bottles for décor. He has decided to make gardening different by using colourful stones, crushed stones as well as stepping stones to decorate around flowers.
However, he noted that he did not go to school to learn about his creativity but a talent a talent which he was born with.
“Landscaping is an art which means not everyone can do it, even if somebody has gone to school to study it; there is that special talent which somebody was born with.
“For instance, I was once a teacher in one of the arts and craft schools in Leribe where I taught arts and crafts therefore I was teaching them creativity.
“They used flowers with plastic papers and water fountain with bottles as well as water pumps from car wipers,” he added.
Mofubetsoane said he resigned from teaching in January this year because it consumed a lot of time for his business to make headway.
“Teaching is a good thing that I like but I finally recognised that it takes much of my time and attention which I have to give to my own company so that it could grow,” he observed
Mofubetsoane said he has hired eight employees who work in all districts of Lesotho. In terms of the market he said the business is perfectly doing well and growing even though he has not yet reached his target goal.
For his business, materials such as seeds and water pumps are purchased in Bloemfontein in South Africa but flowers are easily available in the country.
The 33 year-old was born and raised in Ha Mofokaqala, Kolonyama in Leribe district and is married.
Mofubetsoane added that he spends a lot of amount to buy paving bricks which is the main challenge he encounters in his business.
He uses his own machinery in order to manufacture it.
“Paving bricks are too expensive to buy that’s why I want to be the manufacturer. Besides that, I want to supply my clients with different types of paving bricks in order to earn more income,” he said.
Mofubetsoane encouraged youth to change their mind set in order to become good entrepreneurs.
“Most of the people normally doubt themselves before they could start their own businesses. They ask questions such as: What if it won’t work or succeed? They always have negative thoughts.
“I always have positive thoughts because I believe to conquer not failure. Anything that you want to start will succeed if only if there is hope and putting enough effort on it,” he concluded.
For more details Mofubetsoane can be contacted on: 58046814
