Moorosi Tsiane
Lesotho High Principal ‘Matiisetso Ramothamo on Wednesday hailed Metropolitan Lesotho for bankrolling the construction of a multisport complex at her school.
Metropolitan Lesotho Managing Director Nkau Matete handed over the M1.75 million tennis, basketball, volleyball and netball courts, as well as changing rooms and toilets to the school during a colourful occasion attended by several stakeholders, among them Education Deputy Minister Thabang Kholumo and Sports Deputy Minister ‘Marefuoe ‘Muso.
According to Ms Ramothamo, the insurance giant’s gesture had come at the right time when the school was not only seeking to excel in academic studies but also sporting activities. Metropolitan Lesotho bankrolls several sporting activities and maintained its policy with the Lesotho High School gesture.
“As the school was celebrating its 75th anniversary last year, we went out looking for sponsorship to mark the occasion. But Metropolitan management told us they wanted to do something special for us, which we were going to remember for a very long time. We are very grateful for this ‘gold’ you gave us; we don’t have enough words to express our gratitude for these courts and related facilities,” Ms Ramothamo said.
On his part, Mr Matete said the gesture was his company’s way of giving back to the community which supports its business.
“For about three years, we looked at how to give back to the nation as part of our corporate social responsibility. We then took a deliberate decision to give back with sustainable projects that will be used for a very long time,” he said.
“We spent M1.5 million on the courts and about M250 000 for the construction of toilets and changing rooms.
“This facility must be taken care of and should not be used as a charity. Only us, as companies, can do the charity work but the school must use this facility to generate money that would help you maintain it.”
In her address, Deputy Minister ‘Muso thanked Metropolitan for making a difference in the lives of Basotho.
“We would like to thank Metropolitan for this initiative that goes along with government policies of giving back to the nation. I wish other companies could just follow in your footsteps,” Ms ‘Muso said.
Ms ‘Muso urged the students and teachers to make sure the facility is taken care of as this would encourage other companies to invest in sport.
“This facility will help you use your God-given talent to earn a living, so just work hard and focus on your studies. Don’t jump into unbecoming behavior such as sex before marriage,” she added.