…Lesotho Times among corporate sponsors celebrating excellence with prizes and career opportunities
Rethabile Pitso
A total of 994 graduates were conferred with diplomas and certificates on Friday as Lerotholi Polytechnic (LP) celebrated its 120th anniversary at a colourful ceremony that drew strong participation from corporate sponsors rewarding top performers.
LP Rector, Professor Sepiriti Tlali, hailed the graduates for their perseverance and commitment through years of rigorous academic work.
“For over a century, Lerotholi Polytechnic has stood as a pillar of knowledge, innovation, and nation-building,” Prof Tlali said.
“Today marks not just the culmination of hard work, but also a celebration of resilience, creativity, and passion. You have grown, learned, and evolved — ready to contribute meaningfully to the development of this nation.”
He said the institution’s transformation into a university of science and technology symbolised its continued commitment to producing graduates who drive Lesotho’s growth.
Minister of Education and Training, Professor Ntoi Rapapa, congratulated the graduates and commended LP for its discipline, progress, and growing reputation.
“This ceremony is special because LP is not only awarding certificates but celebrating 120 years of existence,” Prof Rapapa said.
“We appreciate the dedication of students, parents, and administrators who made this day possible. The government is aware of the challenges raised by the Rector, particularly around funding. We are engaging with the World Bank to improve infrastructure and laboratories in tertiary institutions.”
He further lauded LP’s partnership with international organisations such as Samsung and the establishment of its Matsieng branch, noting that such developments signalled a bright future for the institution.
“We hope LP will expand to other districts so that more Basotho benefit. As government, we remain committed to supporting LP’s vision — including its plans to offer degree, master’s, and PhD programmes in the future,” he said.
The event, held at the LP main campus in Maseru, was marked by jubilation, reflection, and a strong sense of achievement as graduates took the first step toward shaping their futures and contributing to Lesotho’s development.
This year’s graduation saw 47 organisations sponsoring best-performing students across various faculties, including the Lesotho Electricity Company (LEC) and the Lesotho Times.
Speaking to the Sunday Express, LEC Stakeholder Relations Manager, Makhetha Motšoari, said the company’s annual sponsorship of outstanding students was part of its broader relationship with tertiary institutions.
“Our sponsorship goes beyond a mere celebration of excellence — it’s an extension of the partnership we have built with Lerotholi Polytechnic and other institutions of higher learning,” he said.
“We support students who excel in their fields of study. This year, our award went to the best Engineering student, Basso Buthelezi, who received a M5 000 cash prize. We do this to motivate other students to strive for academic excellence.”
Mr Motšoari added that LEC often considers award-winning graduates for employment and internship opportunities.
“We prioritise these top achievers when temporary job openings arise. The experience they gain with us often leads to permanent employment. Seeing them progress in their careers makes us proud.”
Meanwhile, the Lesotho Times sponsored the award for Best Performer in the Marketing Management, which went to Makhotso Ramoea, a 26-year-old from Leribe. Ramoea also walked away with additional accolades from BEDCO and LH Finance.
Visibly emotional, Ramoea dedicated her success to her grandmother and late grandfather, saying their support and belief in her kept her focused throughout her studies.