By Keiso Mohloboli
From Butha-Buthe to the global stage, a bold new initiative is transforming education, healthcare, and community empowerment through meaningful connectivity.
On Wednesday, 15 January 2025, T Connect Lesotho officially launched its subsidised social impact wing, T Connect Impact, at Soofia International School in Butha-Buthe. The initiative aims to deliver measurable social, educational, and economic impact through digital infrastructure, energy solutions, education, digital skills development, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
At the heart of the launch was the introduction of the T Connect Impact Account, powered by Starlink Priority Connectivity solutions. Designed specifically for schools, clinics, and community centres, the account provides reliable, high-speed internet, capable of supporting education, healthcare, administration, and innovation, even in areas traditionally left behind by conventional infrastructure.
Speaking during the connectivity hotspot handover, Advocate Phelane Phomane, Managing Director of T Connect Lesotho, emphasised that the initiative represents a shift from access alone to impact-driven transformation.
“This is not just about providing internet,” said Advocate Phomane. “It is about creating opportunity. When we connect a school, we are not merely connecting buildings; we are connecting minds, dreams, and futures. Through T Connect Impact, Basotho students can access advanced e-learning platforms, global knowledge systems, and competitive skills that allow them to stand shoulder to shoulder with learners anywhere in the world.”
A School Transformed
Soofia International School, which hosted the launch, demonstrates the potential when education and technology intersect. The school currently enrols approximately 1,400 students across Early Years, Primary, and Post-Primary levels. The Post-Primary stream follows the Cambridge curriculum, including Lower Secondary, Upper Secondary (IGCSE), and Advanced Levels (AS & A Levels).
The school employs 60 teachers, has three computer laboratories with 120 computers, and maintains a robotics hub while offering more than 20 academic and enrichment courses. Notably, the school has maintained a 100 per cent pass rate, reflecting its commitment to academic excellence.
“Reliable, high-speed satellite connectivity changes everything for us,” said Mr Jayant Vijayakumar, Academic Advisor at Soofia International School. “Starlink enables uninterrupted access to digital learning platforms, virtual laboratories, online assessments, and global educational resources. Teachers can plan smarter lessons, and students can learn beyond the limits of textbooks and classrooms. The benefits extend to parents, who can save on printing costs while their children access digital libraries and resources. It is a sustainable and cost-effective solution for the future.”
Impact Beyond Classrooms
T Connect Impact prioritises schools, clinics, and community centres, recognising that connectivity is a foundational service underpinning education, healthcare, and community participation. By reaching remote and underserved areas, the initiative strengthens local communities and helps Lesotho engage fully with the digital economy.
“Internet access, when delivered with purpose, becomes a catalyst for social change,” said Advocate Phomane. “We are not merely connecting devices; we are connecting Lesotho to its potential.”
With T Connect Impact, Lesotho’s classrooms, clinics, and communities are no longer left behind. They are connected to a digital future full of opportunity.
