Bantu Football Club has scored a major win by securing a M2.16 million sponsorship deal with Naledi Funeral Planners.
The three-year partnership is expected to strengthen the club’s ambitions both domestically and on the continental stage.
The deal, officially announced during a press conference held at the Black Swan, represents a renewal of the longstanding relationship between two respected institutions in Lesotho.
Valued at M720,000 per year, the sponsorship is a substantial investment in one of the country’s most successful and widely supported football clubs.
Naledi Funeral Planners’ Chief Executive Officer, MoseboMosoeu, hailed Bantu as a brand that has grown beyond football and into a unifying force for communities.
“Bantu is a growing brand,” Mosoeu said.
“Even though I do not attend many matches, I was deeply touched by the spirit I witnessed in Mantšonyane during the People’s Cup. The passion and loyalty of Bantu supporters showed me what this club means to the people.”
He added that Naledi’s commitment to the partnership reflects its belief in supporting initiatives that uplift Basotho and foster national pride.
“Bantu is more than just a football club; it is a beacon of unity and purpose.”
For Bantu, the sponsorship could not have come at a better time, according to club president, John Leuta.
Leuta described the renewed partnership as a lifeline in a football environment plagued by financial struggles.
“Football may be the most loved sport in Lesotho, but it is woefully under-supported financially. This sponsorship allows us to breathe easier and focus on what matters most, developing talent, competing at the highest levels, and representing Lesotho with pride,” Leuta explained.
Leuta revealed that Bantu runs on an annual budget of about M4.2 million, with roughly 70 percent spent on player and staff salaries. The Naledi sponsorship, he said, will ease the club’s financial pressures while providing stability to plan for long-term growth.
The timing of the deal is also crucial as the new season has just begun, and Bantu has its sights set not only on maintaining its dominance in the VPL but also on making an impact in continental competitions. With improved financial backing, the club hopes to strengthen its playing squad and expand youth development programs.
“This partnership gives us the momentum we need going into a demanding season. It is a signal of belief not just in our club, but in the power of football to bring people together and change lives,” he said.
The renewed alliance also sends a broader message to the corporate sector in Lesotho: supporting sport is not just charity but a meaningful investment in national identity and community cohesion.
Summary
- The deal, officially announced during a press conference held at the Black Swan, represents a renewal of the longstanding relationship between two respected institutions in Lesotho.
- The timing of the deal is also crucial as the new season has just begun, and Bantu has its sights set not only on maintaining its dominance in the VPL but also on making an impact in continental competitions.
- It is a signal of belief not just in our club, but in the power of football to bring people together and change lives,” he said.
Seabata Mahao is a general news reporter with special focus on Business and Sports. Started working at Newsday in 2021. Working in a team with a shared goal is what I enjoy most and that gives me the motivation to work under any environment leading to growth.
