By Matṧeliso Phulane
The Vodacom Lesotho Foundation this week donated M150 000 in support of the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) Youth Development Programme.
The company says the donation is part of its mandate to support initiatives that drive social change and improve people’s lives.
Speaking at a presentation ceremony on Tuesday at Ratjomose Barracks in Maseru, Vodacom Lesotho Executive Head Regulatory and External Affairs, Tṧepo Ntaopane, said they decided to heed a call for help by the LDF to fund the programme in 2021.
The programme seeks to educate young people on the role of the army in protecting the country’s sovereign territorial integrity.
It also informs the youth on the LDF’s structure and the availability of various military career options they can pursue as part of the national reforms agenda.
Ntaopane noted that the Foundation aims to support the programme until it is self-sustaining.
He urged other corporate organisations to invest in such programmes which contribute towards youth development.
“I would like to urge other corporates to contribute so this programme becomes a success and help develop Lesotho,” Ntaopane said.
He explained that Vodacom Lesotho had come to the LDF’s programme aid since young people form the majority of users of its telecommunications products.
Expectations were that the project would help the benefiting youths to be responsible citizens, he added.
