{
  "id": 19676044,
  "title": "Basotho call for stronger economic ties between Lesotho and SA",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/12/basotho-call-for-stronger-economic-ties-between-lesotho-and-sa",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-12T16:09:36.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "SABC News",
    "slug": "sabc-news",
    "url": "https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/basotho-call-for-stronger-economic-ties-between-lesotho-and-sa/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Basotho living abroad have urged Lesotho and South Africa to enhance cooperation to boost the Kingdom's economic growth. This call came during the Lesotho Diaspora Investment and Trade Summit held at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, South Africa. The annual event aims to mobilize diaspora remittances, lure investment, and funnel resources into local trade and job creation. It offers entrepreneurs living in the diaspora a stage to exhibit their businesses and products.\n\nMats’eliso Morobela, founder of Katiba Africa, praised the forum for providing a platform to promote their products and forge business partnerships globally. \"We are here at this forum to gain exposure not only in South Africa but worldwide as well, so that our business can grow, we can make more impact, feed more families, and pay more school fees for our African people.\"\n\nNtsime Jafeta, Lesotho's High Commissioner to South Africa, emphasized the government's desire to strengthen relations with the diaspora. He highlighted the government's recognition of diaspora members as the country's greatest assets, bringing skills, creativity, and unlimited imagination. Jafeta reaffirmed the government's commitment to facilitating active involvement of the diaspora in every aspect of the country's economic development.\n\nPrincipal Secretary for Lesotho's Trade Ministry, Palesa Matobako, echoed the call for increased diaspora participation. She noted that the forum offers an essential platform to showcase investment and trade opportunities for the Lesotho and to encourage the diaspora to channel their resources, expertise, skills, and networks into ventures that foster economic growth, generate jobs, and enhance the country's competitiveness. Matobako underlined that the government views the diaspora not merely as a pseudo-diplomacy beyond its borders but as strategic partners in unlocking the nation's economic potential.\n\nThe summit also underscored the importance of skills development, knowledge transfer, mentorship, and access to professional networks and markets. The Lesotho government reiterated its commitment to collaborating with the diaspora, the private sector, and development partners to advance the country's economic development.",
  "summary": "Stakeholders are gathering in Midrand for the Lesotho Diaspora Investment and Trade Summit.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}