Sasai Econet Financial Services (SEFS), the financial arm of Econet Telecom Lesotho (ETL), has injected M200,000 into the Lesotho Defence Force’s (LDF) Youth Development Programme.
The financial boost was officially handed over during a ceremony held on Wednesday at the LDF’s Ratjomose Barracks in Maseru.
This latest donation brings SEFS’s total contribution to the transformative programme to M450,000 over the past three years, solidifying the organisation’s role as one of the initiative’s most steadfast private-sector partners.
Speaking at the handover event, SEFS’ representative Lehlohonolo Matee lauded the LDF’s youth boot camp as a “revolutionary and visionary” intervention in addressing the challenges facing the youth.
“As SEFS, we believe that true national development begins with empowering the youth. The LDF’s Youth Development Programme is a transformative initiative that instills discipline, resilience, leadership, and patriotism in young people. This is precisely the kind of impact-driven work we are proud to support,” Matee stated.
He highlighted that the programme’s structured approach aligns with SEFS’s broader mission to drive inclusive growth and social cohesion through strategic public-private partnerships.
Matee also noted SEFS’s broader commitment to youth development, citing initiatives such as international scholarship funding that has seen Basotho students admitted to prestigious institutions including Harvard University.
“We hope to see Lesotho improved through these boot campers. And this is why we felt obliged to support the mission of LDF, enhancing the future of Lesotho with men and women of dignity who love their country.”
Accepting the donation on behalf of the LDF, Major General Ramanka Mokaloba expressed deep gratitude to SEFS for their unwavering support. He said the youth programme was established in response to the growing socio-economic and behavioural challenges among the country’s young population.
“This partnership with Sasai Econet Financial Services is an exemplary model of how public-private collaboration can change lives. With continued support, we can scale this impact even further and instil a renewed sense of purpose and direction among our youth.”
Mokaloba indicated that the funds will be used to develop infrastructure tailored to the needs of the boot campers.
“We started the programme without a dedicated budget, and although the initial phase was challenging, the outcome was encouraging. We have already identified a site where we intend to build proper facilities to accommodate the trainees.”
He acknowledged the difficulties faced during the pilot phase, particularly in managing youth from vulnerable backgrounds. However, he remains optimistic about the programme’s long-term impact.
“We dream of producing the future leaders of this country, including LDF commanders and police commissioners who understand and honour Lesotho’s sovereignty and history,” 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.
