By Matṧeliso Phulane
Mobile network company, Econet Telecom Lesotho (ETL) this week presented the second batch of the Moshoeshoe I Scholarship recipients to King Letsie III in Maseru.
The scholarships are administered by ETL’s HigherLife Foundation.
The Moshoeshoe I Scholarship was established in 2022 in honour of King Moshoeshoe I, the founder of the Basotho nation.
The scholarships are awarded to academically gifted students with high aptitude and leadership skills and those who are interested in pursuing Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics related degrees.
Scholarship beneficiaries were five boys and five girls: Mpho Mhongo, Lisebo Patience Matlosa, Reatile Caroline Mahloane, Sebabatso Mahlomola, Rethabile Precius Khookho, Thabo Ratia, Fusi Francis Mokhele, Soai Mosili, Temoho Morobe and Mpho Africa Baatjies.
King Letsie III expressed his delight saying this was an amazingly monumental occasion for the scholars as they embark on an important educational journey that will be a key foundation for their future and that of Lesotho.
He further expressed his gratitude to ETL and Higherlife Foundation for the kind gesture since it is well known how powerful a tool education can be in transforming the country.
“We hope that these young people will go out and make Basotho proud by contributing to the development of the country. They will pursue to study relevant skills that will help Lesotho overcome its challenges,” he said.
At the same occasion, ETL’s chief executive officer Dennis Plaatjies said: “The selection of these 10 incredibly talented young Basotho boys and girls as recipients of the second cohort of the Moshoeshoe I scholarships marks a huge milestone to us as Econet Telecom Lesotho and Higherlife Foundation, especially as we reflect on the progress we have made since we introduced the first cohort before their Majesties the King and the Queen in August last year.”
Plaatjies revealed that the students are expected to complete the first year of the Bachelor of Science programme at the National University of Lesotho, before applying to universities in Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, or Malawi where they will pursue their studies in medicine, mechatronics as well as mathematical statistics and computer science, respectively.
Higherlife Foundation was founded by Strive and Tsitsi Masiyiwa in 1996 out of their deep Christian faith, heartfelt compassion as well as their personal experiences of orphan-hood.
One of the recipients of the Moshoeshoe I Scholarship, Thabo Ratia of Hlotse in the Leribe district, aspires to study neurosurgery or neurobiology.
Ratia who was the top achiever in last year’s Lesotho General Certificate for Secondary Education, is currently studying general Bachelor of Science at the National University of Lesotho.
In an interview with theReporter, Ratia expressed excitement at the prospect of being the first Mosotho neurosurgeon.
“We have to make sure that we focus on our studies to attain what Econet and HigherLife Foundation has planned for us, which is to pass well.
“We are really grateful and feel so lucky to be among the scholarship recipients; I would like to congratulate my other colleagues who have received these scholarships,” Ratia concluded.
