By Matṧeliso Phulane
People who dream of starting and running their own businesses face many challenges that hinder them from making such dreams come true.
People with disabilities are no exception. They too have the same ambitions but face even bigger challenges.
This is where the Lesotho National Federation of the Disabled (LNFOD) chips in as it aims to change that with various projects.
Motivated by a vision to make sustainable living commonplace and break the common stereotypes, three women of Pitseng, London, who are physically disabled, never allowed disability to define them. Rather, they brought their ideas together to form a hair and beauty products business.
The partners – ‘Materene Khoabeng, ‘Mathabang Phothoane and Lisemelo Soai have had a common passion of owning and managing salons since their early ages. In 2021, they started a collective beauty product business through financial support from LNFOD.
They got an amount of M30 000 which came in the form of a loan and they are expected to repay it when the business starts making profits. They all had a dream of owning hair salons, hence their hair and beauty products business easily got off the ground.
The products available at the store include hair pieces, clippers, hair food, dyes and shampoos.
In an interview with theReporter this week, Soai said: “M15 000 was used to build a shack here in the small town of Pitseng, London. The other M15 000 was used by LNFOD to purchase stock for us.
“People here are so supportive. They have also found our business beneficial because salon owners and beauty specialists no longer have to travel all the way to Hlotse to stock up. We have brought business right to their door steps,” she noted.
On the other hand, Khoabeng said the business has kept her busy and she does not have time for village gossips.
She encouraged people with disabilities to stand up for themselves and stop worrying about their condition; they should start realising that disability is not a barrier to success.
“Nothing is impossible and whatever it is that you dream about, it can be reached and fulfilled. You just have to unleash what is inside of you and when you master yourself, you will succeed and overcome any obstacles hindering you from achieving your dreams.
“In the entrepreneurial space there is no charity and no handouts; it is all about the bottom line, which is profits. Avoid negativity and self-pity, no one is interested in that,” Khoabeng indicated. She added: “As individuals, we must take advantage of the life God has given us. Also, disability is not always a hindrance. On contrary, it is an energy from which people derive hope that gives them the ability to give to others.”
