Moroke Sekoboto
LOCAL company, Sentebale Gap Funeral Services, has launched a scholarship fund to help bright students from less fortunate backgrounds to fulfill their educational dreams.
Dubbed the Sentebale Education Trust Support and Scholarship Initiative, the project was launched in Maseru last weekend.
It was revealed at the launch that Sentebale had funded one Dr Phoka Mofao’s medical studies from 2020 to 2021. Sentebale financed Dr Mofao’s Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) studies at European International University and Microbiology Immunology in London. It subsequently funded his Master of Science Molecular Biosciences (Microbiology, Immunology and Histopathology) at the University of Bath, England.
The two programmes cost the organisation M750 000.
The success of Dr Mofao who is now practicing as a medical doctor in England has inspired Sentebale to officially launch an annual scholarship for at least two tertiary students.
Speaking at the recent launch of the scholarship at Avani Lesotho, Sentebale CEO Aliciah Motšoane, said they will sponsor two students in the fields of health, information technology and accounting.
“Sentebale Gap Funeral Services has been in existence for 22 years and we are one of growing businesses in Lesotho.
“We now feel the need to assist the less fortunate to attain an education in order for them to play their part in growing our country’s economy,” Ms Motšoane said. She however, did not say how much had been set aside for the fund.
Dr Mofao, who was present at the launch, pledged to help pay fees for eight disadvantaged tertiary students until they complete their studies.
He expressed gratitude to Sentebale for funding his own studies.
Education and Training minister, ‘Mamookho Phiri, attended the launch of the scholarship. She praised Sentebale for extending a helping hand to the less privileged.
“Sentebale have done a great job by establishing this initiative which will help many disadvantaged Basotho,” Ms Phiri said.
She urged other companies to emulate Sentebale’s example and reduce the burden of sponsoring tertiary students which is currently being borne by the government through the National Manpower Development Secretariat.