By Keletso Mkhwanazi.
Karabo Motsamai’s journey to becoming a successful entrepreneur began with a simple passion for baking.Growing up in Lesotho, Motsamai always had a fascination with the art of creating delicious treats that brought people together.
This passion eventually led him to establish Walker Solar Bakery. It is a pioneering social enterprise that is revolutionising the baking industry while promoting sustainability and creating jobs for local youth.
“I’ve always been passionate about baking and I wanted to use this passion to make a positive impact in my community. After graduating from Bethel Business and Community Development Centre in 2023, I decided to take the leap and start my own business, said Motsamai.
The bakery was founded in Matsoatlareng village in Lesotho in 2023. The company has been in operation for a year and five months, and Motsamai’s vision is to create a sustainable business that benefits both the environment and local economies.
“First and foremost, I’m passionate about baking. I also believe that this business can help address the unemployment rate in Lesotho by creating jobs for young people. Additionally, I want to promote solar baking and harness the natural resources available to us in Africa, particularly the abundant sunlight in Lesotho,” he told Vutivi News.However, his journey was not without its challenges, including securing funding.
“I attempted to obtain government funding, but unfortunately it was unsuccessful. I believe that my proposal could have been stronger, and I may not have communicated my ideas as effectively as I had intended,” he said.
Despite this setback, Motsamai persevered and continued to work towards his vision. He currently learning from this experience and seeking guidance from others who have successfully secured funding to help expand his business.
Another significant challenge Motsamai faced was adapting to unfavourable weather conditions.
“During rainy days, it was difficult to bake using solar energy,” he explained.
“However, we’ve learned to adapt by using alternative energy sources like gas.”
Motsamai told Vutivi News that he faced his biggest challenge when he introduced a new product to the market.
“While bread has been baked for centuries, solar baking is a relatively new concept. We’ve had to continually educate our customers about the importance of solar baking and its benefits to the environment,” he said.
Looking to the future, Motsamai aims to achieve even more.
“By 2030, I envision Walker Solar Bakery contributing to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 7, which is access to affordable and clean energy… We’ll continue to use clean energy to cook and bake, increasing access to energy and contributing to the creation of sustainable jobs and the reduction of poverty,” he said.
Motsamai message to aspiring entrepreneurs from all around the world is simple: “Start today, start with what you have and think big. Let’s work together to make our country a better place.”
