Nthatuoa Koeshe
LADY luck recently smiled on Maseru M-pesa agent Thapelo Molete who walked away with a brand-new Toyota Hilux in Vodacom’s Win a bakkie competition.
The draw of the annual competition for M-pesa agents was held at Sefika Complex in Maseru on Friday. The event was attended by Minister of Small Business Development, Cooperatives and Marketing, Chalane Phori and Vodacom Lesotho Managing Director Phillip Amoateng.
Mr Molete has been a M-pesa agent since 2015 operating in a small cubicle at Sefika Complex and his place of business has been the go-to place for commuters as it is near the Sefika Taxi Rank.
He expressed gratitude to Vodacom for the competition and said getting a new car was never in his plans.
“I am very thankful to Vodacom for the car because it will change my life in a big way,” Mr Molete said.
Other agents walked away with fridges, wall safes and hampers.
On her part, Vodacom Executive Head: M-pesa, Palesa Mphunyetsane said the bi-annual win-a-bakkie campaign was launched in 2016 to empower small businesses.
“Through the campaign, M-pesa agents are afforded an opportunity to win a brand-new Toyota Hilux and many other exciting prizes,” Ms Mphunyetsane said
“The agents are evaluated against the number of transactions the make in the six months of the campaign after which the top-10 agents in each category are considered for the final draw.”
Ms Mphunyetsane noted that there was an improvement in the overall campaign performance, highlighting the increase in the number of agents who took part. She said the participants increase from 1118 in 2017 to 2661 agents in 2018.
“This year also, other districts like Berea, Butha Buthe, Mafeteng and Qacha’s Nek are being represented in great numbers,” Ms Mphunyetsane said.
She said since its inception, Vodacom M-pesa has transformed lives through its simplicity, convenience, affordability and security and it has indeed revolutionised the way business is done.
“M-pesa has added amazing value to small businesses, big corporates, international organisations and government ministries, and continues to empower hundreds of Basotho to start businesses and gain financial security,” she said.
For his part, Mr Phori said the campaign was a sign that Vodacom was on the right path in empowering small businesses.
He said small business were vital in creating employment and advised Basotho to start business as they help sustain their lives.
“Basotho should push to get into businesses because with businesses, one can never get fired. They are sure that the business will sustain them,” he said.
He said M-pesa has helped immensely in changing lives and expressed gratitude to Vodacom for empowering entrepreneurs.