Bereng Mpaki
MOBILE communications giant, Econet Telecom Lesotho, recently rewarded the 14 top performing graduates from three of the country’s leading tertiary institutions with cash prizes and certificates for their outstanding endeavours.
The recipients of Econet’s generosity were the best performing graduates from the National University of Lesotho (NUL), Limkokwing University of Creative Technology (LUCT) and Lerotholi Polytechnic (LP) for the 2018/19 academic year.
The prize winners selected by their respective institutions on the basis of their performance in programmes chosen by Econet such as business administration, marketing, communication, demography and information technology.
Speaking at the hand-over ceremony in Maseru on Friday, Econet Chief Executive Officer, Dennis Plaatjies, said his company prided itself on its contribution to the education sector over the years.
“At Econet, we pride ourselves in the strides that our initiatives towards education are showing,” Mr Plaatjies said.
“Through our corporate social investment arm branded Higher Life Foundation Lesotho, we pay over M3 million worth of school fees per annum for orphaned and vulnerable children at tertiary and technical and vocational education and training colleges. M2 million of that amount goes to the National University of Lesotho alone.”
Mr Plaatjies however said the prize winners were not part of Econet’s orphans and vulnerable children’s programme but they had been rewarded purely for their excellent academic results.
The total cash prize money given out to the 14 graduates is M32 000. This is meant to help them while they look for jobs or start some income generating projects.
“We all know that unemployment rate is rife and I believe that what we are giving thee graduates will help them kick start small businesses like becoming EcoCash agents in their villages while it will also cover transportation costs for others to and from interviews or new job offers.”
He said some of the awardees will get an opportunity to work within Econet to obtain experience.
“Go on and work even harder so that you can be this country’s assets. Education is a legacy that can help to address the challenges of this country,” he said.
One of the recipients, Rethabile Molupe, who was the best performer in office administration and management at Lerotholi Polytechnic, expressed her gratitude to Econet.
“It’s an honour to receive this award from Econet. It’s unbelievable and I am proud of myself for emerging as the best student performer. I am open to furthering my studies if I can get scholarship or an opportunity to get some work experience to improve my skills,” Ms Molupe said.
Ms Molupe has also received awards from the Lesotho Times and Standard Lesotho Bank among others.
“I don’t have any secret to success except that I work hard and sleep less because I want to achieve my goals of furthering my studies and thereafter getting a job. If I can do that, I will be very happy,” she added.
Another prize winner, Tšitso Khetheng from NUL, said they awards motivated them to continue working hard.
“We are honoured and very happy to receive these awards from Econet. These awards will motivate and inspire us to further develop our lives. We wish the company can be generous enough to provide us with scholarships to further our studies as this is a challenge out there,” Khetheng said.