Bantu, MMC launch micro-loan fund in Mafeteng

Small businesses in Mafeteng have received a welcome boost after Maluti Mountain Cement, in partnership with Bantu Football Club, established a special fund to support local entrepreneurs.

The two organisations deposited M100,000 into the fund’s Ecocash Mokhatlo account this week,, an initiative that will allow small business owners to access short-term loans at just five percent interest. Eligible entrepreneurs will be able to borrow between M100 and M3,000 for a period of three months.

An EcoCash Mekhatlo account is a mobile money account from Econet Telecom Lesotho designed for informal groups, like stokvels, to save and manage their funds securely on a mobile platform. It provides transparency by allowing an administrator to manage members and approve fund transfers, which are then notified to all members via SMS, eliminating the need for cash.

In addition to the financial support, the partners also donated 200 pairs of school shoes to the Mafeteng Urban Council, further underlining their commitment to community development.

Bantu FC president John Leuta said the collaboration was motivated by a desire to give back to the community that has long supported the club.

He stressed that small businesses are not only the backbone of local economies but also critical drivers of national growth.

“Our intention is to empower small businesses, create opportunities for young people and contribute to sustainable development. By investing in entrepreneurs, we are helping to build a stronger foundation for future generations,” Leuta noted.

The intervention has already sparked optimism among business owners in Mafeteng. ’Makamohelo Mosiuoa, who runs a small enterprise in the district, described the fund as a lifeline.

She recalled how the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted operations for many entrepreneurs, leaving them financially crippled and struggling to survive.

“Bantu’s support is timely. It has given us hope that we can rebuild, recover and even grow stronger. This is not just about survival but about long-term sustainability,” Mosiuoa said.

Her sentiments were echoed by Khahliso Sello, a representative of Sasai Econet Financial Services, which manages the Ecocash Mokhatlo account. She indicated that the platform will give small businesses a safe, reliable way to manage their funds.

Importantly, Sello said Econet will not charge any transaction fees for account holders participating in the initiative.

“This ensures that every cent borrowed or repaid goes directly towards supporting business growth, without hidden costs eating into limited resources,” she explained.

The initiative has also drawn praise from political leaders. Mafeteng Member of Parliament, Moeketsi Motṧoane, applauded both Maluti Mountain Cement and Bantu FC for recognising the importance of small businesses in driving development.

“Small businesses are at the heart of job creation and innovation in our communities. I urge beneficiaries to make the most of this opportunity. Let us see growth, creativity and sustainability because when small businesses succeed, Mafeteng succeeds,” Motṧoane said.

With youth unemployment and economic instability weighing heavily on many Basotho families, the Mafeteng partnership has been welcomed as a practical response to long-standing challenges.

While the fund is modest in size, its targeted focus on micro-entrepreneurs offers a chance for meaningful impact.