Katleho Mojakisane is a change-maker, originally from Ha Pita Maseru but studying at the University of the Western Cape.
In alignment with her projects to change other people’s lives, Mojakisane and her colleagues are hosting a six-day Ghana Central Expo which ends tomorrow in Ghana.
The Ghana Central Expo is an impactful national event, held in Cape Coast, Ghana under the theme: ‘Connecting minds, creating business opportunities in the central region’.
The event is designed to bring together various stakeholders, from local entrepreneurs to community leaders, to address critical social and economic issues facing Ghana and Africa as a whole.
Mojakisane has pioneered several humanitarian projects both in Lesotho and South Africa advocating for equality of access to services and resources for marginalised groups.
Her projects include the Kids Intech Initiative in June 2022, seeking to address lack of computer literacy education among children in Lesotho, where 70 percent attend free primary school but lack access to technology education.
Mojakisane organised a monthly teaching programme for about 70 less-privileged children, covering word processing, video/photo editing, and basic app development.
The Free Market Event (August 2022) in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Tuna Safiri, Audacious Leaders Network, and Lesotho Correctional Services, saw her provide sanitary items and cosmetics to over 100 girls, emphasizing mental health and self-love. This initiative also reached girls in juvenile prisons.
In response to rising violence among young men, she had a programme called ‘A Man To Remember’ from August 2022 to 2024. This programme provided life skills to over 300 teenage boys, with motivational workshops and a football competition.
Partnering with Letlotlo Boy Child Foundation and other local leaders, the programme also worked with the Lesotho Correctional Services to support the Juvenile Training Centre in this same regard.
In an interview with theReporter this week, Mojakisane said these projects were inspired by a desire to address critical gaps in education, social welfare, and youth empowerment in Lesotho.
“I was motivated by the lack of access to technology education, the inadequate support for girls in need, and the increasing violence among young men.
“Seeing these challenges first-hand, I wanted to create initiatives that would provide practical skills, promote self-esteem, and improve overall community wellbeing,” she said.
Mojakisane and her colleagues chose to host the Ghana Central Expo in Ghana instead of Lesotho due to several strategic reasons. First, the collaboration with Clinton Arko Agyemang, a recipient of the Future African Leaders Award from Ghana, provided a strong local partnership and connection to the community.
This partnership allowed them to leverage his network and experience to maximise the impact of the event in Ghana. Additionally, Ghana is a key player in West Africa with a growing entrepreneurial ecosystem and a platform that encourages dialogue on critical issues like Africa’s debt crisis and peace building.
“Hosting the event in Ghana also aligns with the goal of addressing broader African challenges, making it a fitting location for discussing issues that affect the entire continent. By choosing Ghana, we can engage a diverse group of stakeholders and amplify the conversation on solutions that not only benefit Ghana but can be applied to other African countries, including Lesotho.
“Lastly, Ghana’s support for such initiatives, combined with the government’s involvement, made it an ideal location for impactful dialogue and action,” Mojakisane added.
Core activities at the expo include health screenings to less privileged individuals in central Ghana, ensuring that healthcare reached those with limited access. This addresses the core objective of improving health services for underserved communities.
There will also be peace dialogues where the team will facilitate meaningful discussions with ministers and chiefs, promoting dialogue around national unity and peaceful coexistence. These talks help raise awareness of the importance of peace for the country’s stability and development.
Entrepreneurship Exhibition: This is a platform given to local entrepreneurs to showcase their innovations, which helps promote entrepreneurship as a tool for economic growth and job creation.
“In a few years, I envision this initiative growing into a larger, more impactful platform that reaches multiple African countries, including Lesotho. I aim to see sustainable health and social programmes, establish ongoing free health services and community-driven social support programmes that regularly benefit underserved populations across Africa.
Wider Impact on peace building: Expand the peace dialogues to become a continental initiative, fostering unity and conflict resolution in more African countries, and contributing to long-term stability and development. “To the Basotho youth who may be hesitant to take on initiatives like these, my message is simple: start where you are with what you have. Don’t wait for the perfect moment or resources. Every small action, no matter how insignificant it may seem, has the potential to create lasting change. Challenges and setbacks are inevitable, but they are also opportunities for growth,” Mojakisane added.
