Bereng Mpaki
NEDBANK Lesotho has opened an agency at the Masianokeng Lifestyle Centre as part of its strategic efforts to expand its services.
The agency, which will be manned by four employees, will offer normal banking services and will operate from 8:30am to 3:30pm during week days and from 8:30am to 11am on Saturdays.
Addressing guests during the opening on Thursday, Nedbank managing director, Nkau Matete expressed delight at yet another milestone in providing convenience to the people by bringing services closer to them.
He said the bank and its Masianokeng staffers were committed to giving excellent services to its clients.
Mr Matete also paid homage to the developers of the Masianokeng Lifestyle Centre, Lesego Holdings for their enterprising spirit.
Lesego Holdings is a consortium of Basotho entrepreneurs, among them Sam Mphana of Pick n Pay; ‘Matokelo Seturumane from Thaba Bosiu Risk Solutions and; Mphoto, Pulane and Pitso Thabane from MPP Holdings.
“It is good to see Basotho coming together to initiate a commercial retail project of this magnitude and I say well done to them,” Mr Matete said.
He said Nedbank was proud to be the financiers of the project to the tune of M54 million. The centre is one of a number of large scale property developments in the country that have been financed by Nedbank Lesotho.
“Ours is to provide finance for economic development and creating jobs for Basotho and we are proud to have powered the dreams of Basotho entrepreneurs.”
Mr Matete jokingly said their presence at the centre would exorcise its demons after one of the anchor tenants, Pick n Pay supermarket, was robbed of an undisclosed amount of money and unspecified goods. Days later, part of the roof was ripped off by raging winds.
He added that it was important for surrounding communities to support businesses in the centre for the project to succeed.
Ms Seturumane, who spoke on behalf of Lesego Holdings, said Nedbank Lesotho was an ambassador of good banking.
“We are excited to witness the opening of the Nedbank agency at the centre. Nedbank has a special place in our hearts because we have had a dream of creating a place for world class shopping experience in the country for many years. Had it not been for their support, this would have been just another unfulfilled dream.
“The bank took it upon themselves to support Basotho to realise their dream. And now they have gone further to show their support to us by opening a branch at the centre to extend their services to more Basotho,” she said.
Ms Seturumane said more services would be available at the centre as more shops will soon be opening.
With the opening of the Masianokeng agency, Nedbank Lesotho now has 11 branches across the country. Five are in Maseru while Mafeteng, Mohale’s Hoek, Berea, Maputsoe, Hlotse and Butha-Buthe have one each.