Leutsoa Khobotlo

My name is Mr. Leutsoa Khobotlo, a proud native of Maputsoe and the founder and director of KHOBOTLO AGRI SOLUTIONS PTY LTD, based in Leribe, Lesotho. Since its establishment in 2022, our company has been dedicated to transforming agriculture by producing heirloom seedlings and cultivating heirloom vegetables in successive cycles. We are equally committed to sharing indigenous farming knowledge through mentorship, fostering sustainable and resilient farming practices.

Despite achieving modest results in my high school examinations at St. Michael's High School in Mpharane — which denied me the chance to attend college — I refused to be discouraged. My journey was inspired by my late mother, a widow who, despite a limited factory income, always managed to supplement our household with fresh vegetables to feed her three children. That memory, together with the urgent challenge of food insecurity, ignited my passion for agriculture and drove me to begin my entrepreneurial path.

Starting with just M300.00, I launched a mission that has since grown far beyond my dreams. I had the privilege of participating in climate-smart horticulture tours in Beijing, China, and at Stellenbosch University in South Africa. I also collaborated with Enactus at the Central University of Technology and completed a Foundations of Project Management course through Google. These experiences broadened my vision and strengthened my resolve to empower others in my community and beyond.

One of my greatest challenges was securing land. As a young ecopreneur without generational farmland, the odds were against me. The fear of rejection and failure was real, especially during negotiations for long-term land access. I overcame these obstacles through persistence, trust-building, and a clear, compelling vision. Eventually, I secured a 30-year sublease on 9.1 hectares, giving my business a firm foundation and proving that determination and purpose can open doors, even against the odds. After securing the land, I worried about not being taken seriously, but I earned credibility through consistent action, mentorship, resilience, and positive community impact.

My personal philosophy is “Tsoela Pele” — to keep going, no matter the challenges — and I believe that hard work, integrity, and community-centered innovation can transform lives.

I am an African Business Hero because I strive every day to make agriculture aspirational, profitable, and sustainable for generations to come.

My mission is to nurture dreams like seedlings — with patience, courage, and hope — until they grow into fields of opportunity.