Bophelo Group – born in struggle . . . rising with the people

In a small, modest office with just two desks and a dream, Bophelo Group began its journey. Today, it’s one of Lesotho’s fastest-growing funeral and healthcare businesses — and it all started with one man’s pain, persistence, and unshakable vision.

That man is Chris Mokhethi, the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Bophelo Group. His story is not one of privilege or luck, but one of fire-tested resilience – a journey from being raised by a single parent in Maseru to becoming a key player in Lesotho’s funeral and insurance sectors.

Chris Mokhethi was born in Maseru, Lesotho’s bustling capital. Raised in modest circumstances by a single parent, he knows what it means to go without the basics.

“Growing up, I understood early that life was not going to hand me anything,” Chris says.

“I saw the pain of people around me when someone passed on, especially if their relatives didn’t have money to bury them. I saw mothers go into debt just to provide dignity in death. That stuck with me.”

He went through school with many challenges — often without lunch money, proper school shoes, or textbooks.

“But I was determined. I would borrow books, copy notes under a candlelight, and volunteer for anything that could help me learn.”

His school years were difficult but defining. He didn’t just survive them — he emerged with a clear mission: to build a business that served people at their most vulnerable moments.

Chris pursued a Diploma in Business and Entrepreneurship, followed by specialized training in insurance, finance, and risk management. While he never took the conventional route of completing his degree in a straight line, his hunger for knowledge never faded.

“I was never the student who had everything figured out. Sometimes I paused my studies to help at home, other times I worked two jobs to pay for one course. But what I lacked in resources, I made up for in commitment.”

He didn’t just rely on formal education. Chris consumed business books, learnt from global case studies, and surrounded himself with mentors and entrepreneurs — building the foundation that would later become Bophelo Group.

The concept of Bophelo Group was born out of trauma — not from a spreadsheet or a market study.

“I once attended a funeral of a neighbor. The family couldn’t afford a casket. People donated what they could, but it was barely enough. I remember thinking — ‘there has to be a better way to bury our people with dignity.’ That’s when it started,” he recalls.

This painful moment became the catalyst for his mission. By 2023, Chris launched Bophelo Funeral Home, initially offering funeral policies. The vision was simple yet radical: provide affordable, accessible, and dignified funeral cover — and later, medical aid and investment-backed insurance — for ordinary Basotho.

What began as one product and a single office has now evolved into a multi-pronged operation, with services ranging from:

Khomo-Kholo Funeral Cover (cover of up to M50 000 with added investment benefits),
Anela Medical Aid (a low-cost health plan),
RH Caskets, Tombstones & Manufacturing, and
Partnerships with clinics, insurance underwriters, media houses, and corporate entities across Lesotho.
Why Funeral Policies First?
“Because they meet the most urgent need,” Chris says.
“In our culture, we honour the dead. But what happens when a family can’t afford a burial? It’s not just a financial burden — it’s an emotional and spiritual one. That’s why we began there.”
But Chris didn’t stop at basic coverage. He added innovation — launching Khomo-Kholo, a funeral cover with a built-in investment payout of up to M8 000 after five years. The idea was to combine financial dignity in life with respect in death.
“That’s what makes us different — we don’t just insure burials; we empower futures.”
Unique Selling Points: What Sets Bophelo Apart
What sets Bophelo Group apart in a crowded market?
It is 100 percent locally owned and self-funded, built from the ground up without foreign capital or government grants.
It offers dual-benefit policies: funeral cover plus a financial return — a first in Lesotho at its price point.
It owns its casket and tombstone manufacturing unit, drastically reducing costs and improving quality.
It works with top asset managers to handle client investments responsibly.
It partners with media houses and community leaders to increase visibility and community trust.
Most importantly, Bophelo Group is deeply rooted in Basotho values, with products tailored to cultural, economic, and emotional realities.
Support and Strategic Partnerships
Building credibility wasn’t easy. In the early stages, Chris faced rejection after rejection. “People didn’t believe in the dream. Some said I was too young. Others thought the market was saturated.”
But things changed.
Through tireless effort and a clear message, Bophelo began securing partnerships with major
Players, Media houses, major artists for multi platforms to reach communities directly. Today, Bophelo Group is a sought-after brand — with police officers, teachers, rural communities, and civil servants among its fastest-growing client segments.
The Road Ahead: Vision 2030
Chris doesn’t just want Bophelo to survive — he wants it to lead.
“We are looking to expand into every district in Lesotho. I want us to build our own clinics, our own mortuaries, and roll out digital platforms for customer access. I also want to invest in education — with a vision to open Bophelo Global University offering tech, business, and healthcare degrees.”
He envisions regional expansion too — into South Africa, Botswana, and other parts of SADC where affordable funeral and health solutions are still lacking.
Safeguards for Long-Term Survival
Asked how Bophelo Group plans to endure economic shocks or market disruption, Chris is confident:
Diversification: “We don’t rely on one product. From caskets to clinics, to micro-investments — we have built revenue streams.”
Ownership of value chain: “We manufacture. We underwrite. We process claims. That level of control protects us.”
Community-first strategy: “We are not chasing elites. Our clients are ordinary people. That gives us long-term security.”
Technology integration: “We are investing in systems that reduce fraud, improve turnaround times, and give clients control.”
Final Word: “This is Bigger Than Me”
Despite growing success, Chris remains grounded.
“This is not about me. Bophelo is about giving people dignity. It’s about building a legacy — for my children, for your children, for Lesotho.”
When asked what he would tell his younger self walking to school without lunch, Chris smiles:
“I would say: Don’t worry. Your hunger today will feed nations tomorrow.”