I AM LESO2

30/04/2024

2Million plus Basotho, 2million plus stories. Let's walk this 19 200 years journey together! 🇱🇸

25/04/2024

"I dont look for greener grass, I water mine." 💦❤️ - Motsamai Mokoma

18/04/2024

"Being a female graphic designer poses unique challenges in an industry where gender biases still prevail. Despite the talent and dedication female artists bring, they often face skepticism and are sometimes undervalued compared to their male counterparts. This creates fierce competition, making it difficult to establish credibility and secure fair opportunities.

In Lesotho, graphic designers encounter additional hurdles. Clients frequently question pricing and underestimate the effort involved in creating impactful designs. Many expect exceptional work with minimal investment, leading to frustration and misunderstandings. Despite striving for excellence and client satisfaction, designers often struggle to balance quality with limited resources.

Furthermore, clients' lack of commitment exacerbates the situation. They demand undivided attention but fail to reciprocate timely payments or appreciation. Establishing lasting relationships becomes challenging when trust and mutual respect are lacking.

Support from the community is also insufficient. Despite the abundance of talented, aspiring designers, recognition and sponsorship opportunities remain scarce. This lack of visibility discourages emerging artists and perpetuates the dominance of a select few.

However, the solution lies in promoting inclusivity and diversity within the industry. By showcasing a wide array of talents and voices, graphic design can transcend boundaries and reach new heights. Through education, advocacy, and collaboration, aspiring designers can gain the recognition and support they deserve, empowering them to thrive independently.

Ultimately, the goal is to elevate graphic design as a respected and valued profession, where every artist's contribution is celebrated and rewarded. With concerted efforts, we can foster an environment where creativity flourishes, and designers are esteemed for their unique perspectives and contributions."

16/04/2024

"Growing up in a Christian home, I was shaped by my family's faith and the church community. Growing up in a remote area with limited resources taught me to be resourceful and resilient in overcoming obstacles. At a young age, I began exploring my passion for music, playing homemade instruments like drums and keyboards.

My parents dedicated themselves to serving our church, and I am proud to be part of a community that supports each other, despite facing challenges and criticism from some individuals. As a pastor's kid (PK), I experienced both support and judgment from fellow Christians during my high school years.

After graduating from high school in 2018, I faced a pivotal decision between pursuing my passion for music and navigating the realities of life. Despite financial constraints, I enrolled at Limkokwing University in 2022 to study creative advertising. This field allows me to combine my love for creativity with my interest in understanding people's perceptions and behaviors.

Through my experiences and lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, I realized the importance of not just going through the motions but actively engaging in meaningful pursuits. I became involved in live-streaming church services and expanded my work to include collaborations with various companies.

As I balanced work and school, I gained academic insights that complemented my practical experiences. I developed a love for storytelling and communication, which I hope to further explore and refine in the future. Overall, my journey has taught me to embrace challenges, pursue my passions, and continuously grow as an individual."

09/04/2024

"Hi, my name is Lerato Chaoana, and I'm 21 years old. Currently, I'm a Broadcasting and Journalism student at Limkokwing University of Creative Technology. Alongside my studies, I'm deeply involved in social media, which is a passion of mine. I work as an influencer and brand ambassador for a local company called Black Hair, as well as their salon studio known as Natural Hair Studio. This is a significant part of my daily life, involving content creation for my viewers, something I thoroughly enjoy.

Creating content is not only interesting and sometimes challenging, but it's also a burgeoning industry here in our country. I believe it has immense potential for growth, inspired by the success we've witnessed in other parts of the world. Many creators there have been able to sustain themselves solely through their content creation skills. I aspire to be among the pioneering creators in our country and reach a point where I can make a living from my creative endeavors.

Social media provides an incredibly fun platform for self-expression and self-discovery, especially for someone like me, still in the process of finding themselves at 21. Being part of Generation Z, we're fortunate to have opportunities to monetize our creativity. I'm excited to witness the continued growth of this industry and hope to evolve alongside it. I invite you to join me on this journey. Bye!"

04/04/2024

"Growing up, I had a different outlook on people needing and making money. My idea of making money was working normal office jobs, not selling stuff as informal traders in the streets. Little did I know of the lack of jobs and how street hawkers actually make a living to provide for their families.

Time went on and I started my hustle in grade 5 with selling candy, remember the Pengo brand? I was on that. Unlike my colleagues who were hustling for weekend activities, I had do it to ease the financial situation back home. The same people I misunderstood when I was younger became my inspiration, like the ladies opposite St. Bernadette Primary School. That's how my interest and knowledge regarding money started.

Time flew fast and I landed in High school, even there I continued selling - knee deep with biscuits, buying them in bulk and selling them in smaller units. Ask my old Maseru Day High schoolmates about me. Bulk purchases also allowed me to sell on credit, making collections the next morning. If someone crossed me, I happily reported them to the Principal's office as we were close.

In the moment am still in the hustle, this time am all in it. And am grateful how it has changed my life, without it I would be stuck begging my parents some....that would be nuts .Every cent counts so let's all use it wisely even the ones we pass in the streets because that's what makes a million."

02/04/2024

"Ever since completing my LGCSE in 2019, my entrepreneurial journey took root in the field of barbering. Although I had dabbled in it before, my skills weren't up to par until I found mentors who helped me refine my craft. Fuelled by my ambition, I embarked on a path that led me to establish my own barbershop.

Despite my burgeoning business, I harbored a desire to further my education, leading me to apply to Limkokwing University of Creative Technology. The prospect of expanding my knowledge while nurturing my entrepreneurial spirit was enticing. However, I was determined to maintain a side hustle alongside my studies.

Juggling academics and entrepreneurship posed a challenge, particularly in managing time effectively. There were instances where scheduled appointments clashed with my academic commitments, leaving clients disappointed. Nonetheless, I persevered, leveraging my passion for barbering to generate income, albeit inconsistently.

Determined to augment my earnings, I decided to diversify my ventures. Investing my savings, I ventured into the sheep shearing market—a niche yet promising sector. This decision not only broadened my entrepreneurial horizons but also enabled me to tap into a previously untapped market.

Operating within the mountainous regions of Lesotho, I forged strong relationships with the local community. Through dedication and hard work, I established myself as a reliable and skilled sheep shearer. The newfound clientele bolstered my business endeavors, providing a steady stream of income alongside my barbershop.

Despite the trials and tribulations, my entrepreneurial journey has been marked by resilience and determination. Each obstacle served as a learning opportunity, propelling me forward on the path to success. As I continue to navigate the intricacies of academia and entrepreneurship, I remain steadfast in my pursuit of excellence and innovation."

"I AM LESO2" offers a unique and intimate portrayal of Basotho people through photography and storytelling, providing an authentic insight into their lives, culture, and experiences.

26/03/2024

"Experiencing the loss of two beloved ones in the same year, losing two grandmas, my mom’s sister, and my mom’s mother, was devastating. The first death caused heartbreak, but it didn't immediately lead to depression. However, the second loss triggered deeper feelings of heartbreak and eventually plunged me into depression.

I felt so depressed that I didn’t want to be in the house anymore; I just wanted to die and join them. I had no energy, no one to turn to, and I felt incredibly lonely. I withdrew from everyone to the point where I didn’t want to talk to anybody. Every day felt like a struggle, and I felt weak. Eventually, I made the decision to leave the place so that I could find some peace and heal from the heartbreak, depression, and the haunting feeling of hearing voices and sensing their presence, even though they were no longer here.

Overcoming depression was a long and difficult journey. I had to let go of the pain and loneliness that consumed me. It took me a while to realize that I wasn’t alone anymore. I felt like I wasn’t even living; I spent most of my time throwing myself on the floor just to feel something, just to make sure I was still alive."

19/03/2024

Leonard Mopeli
Film and Television Producer & Art Director

"I’m extremely sensitive, spiritually and emotionally intense. Being highly aware makes me to regulate my feelings. I’m always overwhelmed by what I feel and see. Simultaneously I’m blasted with information I subconsciously absorb from my surroundings; I would see the tension, bitterness, competition, passive aggression from other people.

As my mind roams free in the world of knowledge, I feel physically trapped in a country that I don’t want myself in and I use filmmaking as a way of escaping. My stories are more liberating and dismantle oppression and systematical power. I feel like we need God more than anything at the moment to rebuke mental illness and find ourselves."

"I AM LESO2" offers a unique and intimate portrayal of Basotho people through photography and storytelling, providing an authentic insight into their lives, culture, and experiences.