Seabata Mahao
Maluti Mountain Cement (MMC) has donated M50,000 raised from the gate takings of their 2023 Berea Charity Cup-sponsored football tournament to Teyateyaneng informal traders.
The annual event, which was held on October 4, 2023, in Teyateyaneng, Berea, raised M60,000 from entrance fees, with M10,000 allocated to the Berea Children’s Home under construction.
MMC, which pledged M220,000 towards the tournament, also contributed the funds to support vulnerable community members. The tournament featured Vodacom Premier League teams Lioli FC and Bantu FC, as well as National A-Division teams Maroala FC and Amigos FC.
Lioli FC emerged as the tournament champions, defeating Bantu FC 5-3 in a penalty shootout after a goalless draw. Lioli received M100,000 in prize money from sponsors including MMC and Nthane Brothers.
Bantu FC, as runners-up, took home M45,000. Maroala FC won M40,000 after their 4-0 victory over Amigos FC, who received M20,000.
MMC’s Managing Director, Lehlohonolo Lephema, noted that the donation to street vendors was delayed due to the lack of an organised association.
“We are only giving out this prize money now because the Teyateyaneng street vendors did not have an association, so through the assistance of the Berea District Administrator, we have brought them together to hand them their money which they will use as they want,” Lephema said.
“We have already begun building an orphanage at Lithabaneng, and we have built two more in Mafeteng and Semonkong and this is the third children’s home. We have decided to elevate the community where we come from and hope to make it an annual event, where we will give back to Basotho,” Lephema said.
On his part, the Sales and Marketing Manager of MMC, Makoa Semethe, announced that the Berea Charity Cup will return this year, with dates to be announced.
MMC was founded by business mogul-turned-politician Lebona Lephema.
