Mr Maps to represent Lesotho in Washington DC

Mamohlakola Letuka

THE Creative Director of Emotive Public Relations (PR), Tlali ‘Mr Maps’ Mapetla, is currently in Washington DC representing Lesotho in a three-week International Visitor Leadership Programme (IVLP).

The host of a weekly podcast on the GrindNation Radio platform has been participating in the IVLP program titled Integrity in Journalism: 21st Century Approaches to Print and Radio Journalism since last week.

IVLP is the US Department of State’s premier professional exchange programme. Through short-term visits to the United States, current and emerging foreign leaders in a variety of fields experience this country first hand and cultivate lasting relationships with their American counterparts.

Professional meetings reflect the participants’ professional interests and support the foreign policy goals of the United States.

This programme will have him travel to different parts of the United States of America with other African counterparts to examine current trends and challenges in print and radio formats.

He will also explore schools of journalism that focus on media training and the implementation of journalistic principles in a democratic society.

Mr Maps said he was selected based on his radio shows including the online radio post cast.

The music and content producer said this workshop is already changing his circle of friends as he is already connecting with people he looks up to.

“I have had an opportunity to debate on the Voice of America, which is one of the big radio platform in the world. It has empowered me to grow my brand and network,” Mr Maps said.

He further promised to use his experience to better the country through his broadcast skills, developing content in areas such as entrepreneurship and leadership that would inspire young people.

“I want Basotho to know that the world is waiting for their ideas to materialize. We need to get over the red tape and stop being lazy. Let’s spread positivity and motivate young people.”

Mr Maps is one of the people who started the Ultimate FM, launching the blanket bling show that has shifted people’s mindsets of the traditional use of blankets to fit into the modern trends.