By Neo Kolane
Letšeng Diamonds Mine this week handed over M2.8-million to the government of Lesotho towards the procurement of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, as part of efforts to fight the pandemic COVID-19. The money is earmarked to purchase 20,000 doses of the vaccine.
Speaking at the handing over at the offices of the ministry of health on Tuesday, the chief executive officer of Letšeng Diamonds Kelebone Leisanyane said that the donation honoured the pledge the mine made a few months ago to contribute towards the procurement of vaccines as part of the wider private sector initiative.
Leisanyane explained that the initiative was a reaffirmation of the mine’s commitment to assist in fighting the global pandemic by playing a greater role for prevention of the spread of the virus.
“Letšeng Diamonds is proud of the longstanding partnership with the government of Lesotho and the contribution it has made and continue to make at national and local levels to control the spread of the pandemic.
“In addition to providing these vaccine doses, the company had donated a four-roomed modular structure, which now serves as a testing laboratory at the National Reference Laboratories at Botšabelo in Maseru.
“More recently, 17 oxygen concentrator machines were donated to hospitals and clinics throughout the country,” Leisanyane stated.
On the receiving side, prime minister, Moeketsi Majoro who welcomed the donation, was grateful that the private sector was playing a role to secure the doses.
Majoro also said that their target as Lesotho is to receive 1.6 million full doses, although it is a big chunk, adding that the private sector was joining hands to contribute in the health care services.
“Lesotho is unique in this particular case, frankly we did not have to do a lot of scratching, it was not easy for them to participate that is why we are indeed thankful for Letšeng Diamond and the CEO to have a big pen and write a number with many zeros.,” he observed.
He was hopeful that Basotho were benefitting from the production of their resources.
“I must assure you that we are working very well with Sesiu sa Letšoele le Beta Pota, there has been some misunderstandings but they have been ironed out,” Majoro said.
