Mikia Kalati

THE Lesotho Times and Sunday Express photographer, Thabelo Monamane, was among the biggest winners at a glittering Alliance Insurance Sports Awards ceremony at Avani Lesotho on Friday night.

The awards started in 2017 after Alliance Insurance Company partnered with the Lesotho Sports Reporters Association to reward the hard work of the sports writers.

The winners in each category pocketed M5000, a certificate and a trophy.

Several companies such as Vodacom Lesotho, Maseru Toyota and Standard Lesotho Bank have since come on board to sponsor the event.

Monamane, who has worked as a photographer for over a decade, won the award for the second year in a row.

He thanked Basotho, who voted for him to bag the gong.

“I’m very happy because I have won the award for the second successive year,” Monamane said.

“I appreciate the support of people who voted for me and Alliance Insurance Company for recognising our hard work.”

Among the other big winners on the night were retired journalist Rantsubise Matete and Motumi Ralejoe, who were both recognised with the lifetime achievement awards.

Matete, who is also the second vice president of the Lesotho Football Association, served at the ministry of communication for 35 years as a journalist for Lentsoe La Basotho while Ralejoe was also under the same ministry working as sports commentator for Radio Lesotho.

“I was a writer for 35 years and what makes me happy is to see this initiative through the Lesotho Sports Reporters Association and Alliance Insurance Company.

“It will surely go a long way towards improving the standards of sports journalism in the country. I am grateful to Alliance Insurance and their partners for this recognition,” Matete said.

Ralejoe echoed Matete’s sentiments and also praised the insurance company for rewarding the hard work of sport journalists.

He stated that a career in sports journalism was the beginning of good things to come for him as he ended up as a member of parliament and also worked as spokesperson for former Prime Minister-Phakalitha Mosisili during his tenure as the premier of Lesotho.

“I always ensured that I’m well prepared for my work and I still remember vividly challenging my listeners to carry their radios with them to the stadium to listen to my commentary while watching the match,” Ralejoe told the ceremony.

Informative Newspaper sports writer Leemisa Thuseho, walked away with the Print Reporter of the Year accolade while Tšebeletso Tumaole won the Television Presenter of the Year.

Chalale Mokhethi and Tumelo Ramaputle won Radio Presenter and Radio Commentator of the Year respectively.