By Bereng Mpaki

MASERU- Eight students sponsored under Letšeng Diamonds’ Corporate Social Responsibility and Investments programme renewed their contracts with the company on Wednesday this week at a function held at the Maseru Sun Cabanas.

The students who are continuing with their studies in South Africa are LA Mokoatsi (BEng Mining), MA Ramone (BSc Eng Elect & Comp), MI Thamae (MTech Enviro Health), IL Moiloa (BCom Accntg CA Option), RT Lesaane (Electrical Eng), T Leqele (BSc Eng Elect & Comp) K Nqhoaki (BEng Mechatronics) and  KA Kopano (NDipl Int Auditing).

At the same function, other students who previously benefited from the scholarship programe were honoured—four for successfully completing their studies, while a further two were recognised for outstanding performances in their studies. The two are RT Lesaane (Electrical Eng) and T Leqele (BSc Eng Elect & Comp).

Speaking to Public Eye after the function, Letšeng Diamonds chief executive officer, Mrs ‘Manthethe Maharasoa said the programme—which was started in 2006—was inspired by the skills-discrepancy in the specialised professional disciplines.

“The inspiration for the programme was two-fold: first, we observed that Lesotho has a shortage of skills in specialised areas especially related to the mining business. Secondly, we had to oblige to the terms of our mining lease with the government of Lesotho—that we should contribute towards skills-development in the country,” she said.

Maharasoa added since  its inception, the programme had yielded positive results with most of the beneficiaries successfully completing their studies and attaining very good grades.

A total of 36 awardees, at a total cost of M4 million,  have benefited from the scholarship programme, which is given as an absolute grant that covers all costs of learning and related expenses.