Motsamai Maluti Sky In Flight Magazine

Motsamai ISSUE 1: December 2016

In Flight Magazine

Mazvi Maharasoa, CEO Letšeng Mines, ▪ ▪ Motul Roof of Africa Race ▪ Lesotho Highlands celebrates 30 years of their renowned Water Project

Lesotho Highlands Water Project Celebrating 30 years

CONTENTS

2

4

Mamotake Matekane:

6

Editor’s Note:

9

Mazvi: A Rose in Bloom,

15

Teboho Kobeli, Brings Life to Afri-Expo Textiles,

18

The Kings Cup Golf Tournament

22

The Master Chef Team Building Session

24

The Gala Dinner, Elegance at its Best

26

Motul Roof of Africa,

32

Morija Guest House,

35

Lesotho Highlands Water Project,

40

Metropolitan,

42

My First 100 Days in Deep Water,

46

The Hand that Keeps on Giving,

48

Vodacom Lesotho in flight,

51

The 4th Industrial Revolution,

ĹĄ

55

Innovative Mobile Brings Relief,

58

10 000 Girls Adopted,

60

Traditional Home Made Ginger Beer,

62

Umgqusho Waffles with Szechuan Tripe,

65

Colouring time,

66

Traveller’s Journal -

3

Note From Maluti Sky

Head of Corporate Communications and Marketing For the past six years the department has achieved numerous goals through efforts from the whole team. We have rebranded the company to make it more relevant to today’s market and we have also integrated methods of marketing and managed to tell the world about our diverse company. We have developed means of improving our internal communication to allow a more conducive working environment. And we continue to improve in all aspects of communication. With new introductions from Mpilo Boutique Hotel and Maluti Sky, we continue to be innovative and inventive, achieving all set goals as a team.

I hope for all our readers to enjoy our publication. We aim to achieve more through this publication and wish all our readers a beautiful flight always with Maluti Sky, a luxurious and peaceful sleep at Mpilo Boutique Hotel, while continuing to visit our beautiful country, The Kingdom In The Sky, Lesotho!

Have a beautiful holiday and hope to see you back on-board in the New Year!

Mamotake Matekane.

4

Dear Maluti Sky Flyer Welcome to the very first edition of Motsamai!

Motsamai means traveller and no matter the reason for your travels, I believe we are all travellers through life.

In this publication we hope to bring you interesting stories and highlights about Lesotho and the beautiful country that it is. We will bring you amazing stories of Lesotho business, residents and those who have since left the country to go on and create a legacy of their own.

Upon driving the roads and experiencing the magic of the mountains, I have been deeply moved by not only the beauty of the land but the peaceful, gentle people of the Lesotho. Truly wonderful to have met such incredibly friendly and welcoming souls.

We hope you have a wonderful journey and we also hope that you take the time to really explore this beautiful country and realise that a wealth of talent and resource exists within its boundaries.

We congratulate Lesotho on it’s 50th celebration of Independence. Along with the country there are also other celebrations such as the Lesotho Highlands Water Project celebrating it’s 30th year. And a few corporate's, such as Metropolitan and Vodacom, which also celebrate many years of serving the Basotho people.

Have a wonderfully blessed Christmas and New Year. May 2017 bring prosperity and joy to your family and life.

All the Best Victoria Nish This publication is published by Millenia Media & Publishing.

Editor: Victoria Nish Sub Editor: Felistus Senwamadi Advertising: Felistus Senwamadi Victoria Nish, Felistus Senwamadi, Louise Parker Mamotake Matekane,, Lehlohonolo Manamolela Gary Franks, Johnny Dos Santos, Tsepo Ntaopane Tafadzwa Anifasi, Msi Mahakoe Contact us: victoria@milleniapublishing.co.za or felistus@milleniapublishing.co.za Website: www.milleniapublishing.co.za

6

Mazvi

A Rose in Full Bloom

Interviewed by Victoria Nish

well

Millenia Publishing had a chat

Manthethe

accomplished and influential.

with Mazvi to answer this

Maharasoa. All of her names have

Her parents, both lawyers,

intriguing question.

deep, rich meaning and once you

encouraged her to study law and

have read her story you will

pursue her dreams in the

Mazvi

understand fully that her destiny

profession. By their example and

opportunity to work for her

was sure.

progressive

they

parents’ law firm in Zimbabwe,

taught Mazvi a vital truth: That

then the largest and prominent

Mazvivamba: means what you

even as a woman, you can do

law firm in the country. She

have started you must finish.

anything you set your mind to-

made a clarifying decision to

gender does not determine

find her own career through

Manthethe: A wife of a king / a

success-

that

other opportunities. She spent

royal wife

knowledge, she was always

one year unemployed in Lesotho

expected to deliver.

following her return to Lesotho

Mazvi’s

full

Mazvivamba

names

are

Lesotho

thus

was

parenting

and

with

turned

down

the

from the United Kingdom, her

Maharasoa: has deep migrant labour root history for this Lesotho

Mazvi studied law at the

and her mother’s birth home, to

area.

University of Buckingham, in

find employment. The Lesotho

England and completed her

job market proved fruitful and

Mazvi, a truly charming and

Masters and Bar Exam at Middle

Mazvi found a job at the

intelligent woman, is the first born

Temple.

Ministry of Natural Resources.

Despite her lack of experience

of her family. Her father being a chief in Zimbabwe, taught her

So how does a woman like

Mazvi

tremendously high values of

Mazvi settle in a small country

expectation. Interestingly she

responsibility and accountability

like Lesotho and go on to create

refers to this time of her working

which have been the foundation of

a career second to none in the

career

her success in life. Her mother was

extremely powerful role of CEO

opportunity’.

the first to sit on the Bench as a

in

Black Woman in Zimbabwe and

dominated industry of mining?

the

aggressively

excelled

as

a

beyond

‘fabulous

male

9

“The Public Sector is not

than most other African women.”

everyone’s idea of a dream job.

She exclaims that “control,

But it did give me opportunities

diplomacy and a solid core” are

I would never have had anywhere

crucial and that “I know who I

else. Specifically it provided a

am and I don’t need to prove it.”

fast track learning curve which

These are bold statements and

proved critical to my future

certainly a bold attitude. What a

success,” explains Mazvi.

remarkable trait for any woman!

opportunities that were yet to come.

Change of ownership of the mines led to Gem Diamonds Ltd taking over ownership of the mines and Mazvi being offered the opportunity to become the

Despite not having a defined role

However,

when joining the Ministry, due

stagnation of leadership positions

to the fact that the Ministry had

in the Ministry and quickly

not had in-house counsel for the

realized that her career growth in

prior two years, her position as

the Public Service sector would

legal advisor grew from ‘just her’

be limited. So true to her

to a fully-fledged team of five

character she stepped out of the

lawyers by the time she left. “I

Ministry and into Private Sector

delivered results, and I am very

by taking up a role at the Central

proud of that,” says Mazvi.

Bank of Lesotho. Here she was

Interestingly her very first task at

Secretary to the Board and

the

obviously

Ministry

of

Natural

Mazvi

saw

she

the

naturally

Resources was to participate in

continued to express her genius

the lease negotiation for the

and boundless energy and work

Letšeng Mine. Little did she

ethic through this role.

know how fate and the universe

Subsequently, the Ministry of

were preparing her for the career

Natural Resources requested that

of a lifetime?

she

represent

Government

Mazvi

Diamonds (Pty) Ltd, as a

managed the work pressure and

Government nominated Non-

gender issues in the workplace

executive Director. Again not

she frankly replied, “I have

realizing that the work of fate

grown up knowing how to stand

was at hand, creating her ultimate

up for myself, and to be gutsy in

career path. Her skills, of

a room full of men.” However,

understanding good corporate

she does state “I believe Basotho

governance,

women are more empowered

demand and key to unlocking the

10

asked

how

were

position at the mining company.

Her

role

Corporate restructure

was

to

oversee

Governance the

and

company’s

policies and procedures to ensure Quality control and company policies were properly adhered to.

As you can imagine this was no small task for her as the company’s structure was fairly loose at the time and not much was done in the way of corporate

agenda on the Board of Letšeng When

Resident Director; a full time

in

high

policy.

Then the next ‘big thing’ happened. The CEO of the company resigned, leaving a leadership

role

void.

In

November of 2009, Mazvi accepted the offer to become the company’s very first Black Woman CEO; a remarkable achievement for her but also a progressive

step

company,

in

for

an

the

industry

aggressively dominated by men.

Mazvi’s

previous

role

as

Every time you go to a place you sell yourself whether you like it or not!

Corporate Governance was what the shareholders wanted in a CEO. Despite her lack of technical mining knowledge they invested in her for a reason.

A clear shift needed to happen in the way the company was managed. Mazvi was the one to make

that

happen.

Mazvi

brought serious change to the company and not all of it was welcomed

by

staff

and

management. It meant stricter controls,

quality

assurance

policies were improved all of

Mazvi had to face herself head

the right choice to change

on. For the first time in her

company policy. Now she just

career she was met with extreme

had to find a way to make it work

resistance and she had to fix it.

and steer Letšeng into a highly

Some deep questions emerged

successful

and as with any drastic change a

enterprise. Here is where her

leader must review if they made

leadership talent became a bright

the right choice. This experience

light to those around her. “The

was more than just tough. For

Group took a chance on me, and

anyone in such a powerful

it was time to prove that they

position, facing tremendous

made the right choice,” she

criticism, it can be a career

explains. Mazvi dug deep to

breaker. ‘It either destroys you

bring out her competitive spirit,

or makes you!” says Mazvi.

facing her demons and critics she

which inevitably increased the administrative workload and structure of the company.

The immediate effect of the changes led to an increase in turnover, perceived by some to be signs of a revolt internally.

and

profitable

broke the barrier of her own Facing herself and her critics

strength and began rebuilding

(and added to the pressure of

her support network. From her

being a woman), Mazvi switched

management

her inner soul into high gear and

workers, mentors and coaches

turned her decision making

she surrounded herself with a

capabilities into a powerhouse of

team that would support and

success. She knew she had made

enhance her every decision.

team

to

co-

11

“I believe I have made my own fortune because of who and what I am. I have value, despite where I am and I will continue being what I am” Mazvi.

“I had to really make a shift,” she

crucial

for

says. “I had to confront things I

organization.

such

a

big

success. ‘Moreover, I was always a doer and struggled with delegation but I realised that it is

didn’t like and make peace with it.” “I chose to build a team of

Mazvi

her

in the way you let go- that I had

individuals

truly

opportunities to her positivity

to enable and empower people in

talented and hardworking, who

and contributions. ‘I never had a

order to trustingly receive.’

had the right attitude and mindset

defined vision for my career; I do

to do the job I knew had to be

what I have to do now and do it

“So after all this I am at the end

done.” “It was hard. And a lot of

to the best of my abilities and see

of an era in my life, my job was

people didn’t like it. But we have

what opportunities come next.

my life” she says sadly, yet with

an extremely successful company

Most of all I know what I can do

a smile filled with contentment

today

she

and I know what I cannot do.’

that she has done what she set out

explains. She tells how your own

There have been many lessons

to do.” "I have resigned my

mindset and that of your team

for Mazvi in her journey. She

position as CEO for many

need to be one. Unified effort is

learnt first to depend on her inner

reasons.”

that

because

were

of

it,”

attributes

drive and to validate her own

She explains that the company

Mazvi is a truly deep and

is taking a new direction and she

remarkable soul, and she starts a

believes it’s time for fresh minds

new journey in her life in a few

to lead the company. “As for me

months.

Her

strength

and

and my future, I don’t know all

charisma

is

infectious;

her

the answers as yet, I want to take

powerful mind still working but

time to learn how to read again,

lending itself to creativity and

to travel and experience other

learning. We have no doubt that

cultures, to reconnect with family

Mazvi will continue to break

and perhaps teach? It was a

boundaries

childhood dream.” Mazvi has

exceptional life. She has been a

always been passionate about

role model for women all over

justice and truth and she plans to

and her story should be sounded

continue in that path, “But I am

out to many more countries to

in no rush.” She says with a smile

inspire women and promote true

of contentment.

authentic leadership.

and

lead

We salute you Mazvi, as a woman of strength, integrity, courage and passion.

May your new journey be filled with more joy and success.

an

It took me 6 years to get to where I am today, and I could not be more excited about my next move’, says Teboho Kobeli of Afri-Expo Textile.

A story of growth from a small time textile manufacturing idea to big time textile solutions. By Felistus Senwamadi With Lesotho being the home of many international textile manufacturing plants over the years, some of which still exist, Teboho is one of the many Basotho with an eye for textile manufacturing. Even so, he is one of the few (if not the only one) who has decided to take on the industry and start a manufacturing plant of his own. Armed with only his entrepreneurial mind and his knowledge of the retail industry, Teboho set forth 6 years ago in an attempt to build his textile manufacturing plant. Despite many challenges of sourcing an operating warehouse, Afri-Expo began its operations in May of 2016, employing up to 120 people and making it the biggest indigenous textile manufacturer in Lesotho.

Teboho Kobeli is a qualified flour miller and when he left his employment he was heading to build his own; but he was pushed into retail (production and processing of protective clothing) by circumstance after seeing the potential in the retail industry. Armed with only a dream, Teboho Kobeli attributes his success in starting up the factory to getting the right workforce who is skilled and knowledgeable in the industry even more than he is. With the

assistance

of

specialised

resources in setting up, Teboho has managed to grow an efficient operation producing up to 20 000 denim orders per month for the likes of Woolworths and Primax Clothing. Even with such volumes, Teboho is unsatisfied with the numbers.

15

‘I have gotten enquiries from other brands such as Mr Price, Edgars, PEP, Foschini and others but I need to meet the numbers, which is why I am excited about my new move to a bigger warehouse.’ The new warehouse provides a much bigger space and will allow him to increase his production from 20 000 pieces to 80 000 pieces per month which is a significant increase that will allow him to meet demand for the regional market.

Afri-Expo Textile not only boasts of an efficient production line, but also prides itself in training of his entire CMT team. Teboho has set up a Training Centre as part of his new expansion plan to facilitate skills transfer to the locals, which will allow for effective production for the AGOA and SACU market

by March of 2017. His personnel will be trained for a period of six months following which they will be moved to the bigger operation. ‘The planning and mobilisation in terms of export policies and process controls are already in place.’ He says with a bright smile on his face. The new space will also have storage facilities as part of the warehouse.

Teboho’s expansion plan will not only benefit Afri-Expo Textile but will employ an additional 600 employees, making it a boost to the economy of the country.

Teboho Just received the keys to his new warehouse!

What were his major challenges in setting up this plant? ‘I struggled to get the space I needed to start production of this magnitude. In addition, the location of the skilled workforce was not conducive.’

Even so, Teboho was not moved by his challenges as he was determined to prove his capabilities in order to earn his new operating space, which is also in the vicinity of the much needed skilled workforce.

Today he starts tall, a happy man ready to step into the new year with a bigger and better plan!

What has kept Teboho going for the past six years? ‘I knew that the demand was there and if I engaged with the calibre of people who are experts in the industry, then the market would be mine.’

What would you say to other Basotho who may be interested in the retail industry at a manufacturing level? ‘I think Basotho should realise that they should also play in this industry because to foreigners it is FDI, but for us it is home.’

2017 brings in a brighter future for Afri-Expo Textiles and for Lesotho as a whole. Nala!

Afri-Expo Textiles operates in Maseru Industrial.

Email: tebohokobeli@gmail.com Phone:+266 62800800

17

The King’s Cup Golf Tournament On the afternoon of the 17th of

platform

business

the significant increase in the

November the Lesotho business

community to engage in a

sponsorship amount, the 2016

community migrated to the

charitable cause.

King’s Cup saw an equally

for

the

substantial increase in the

Maseru Golf Club for the commencement of the Annual

Over the past 6 years, the King’s

number of participants despite

King’s Cup Golf Tournament,

Cup has drawn an amalgamation

the subsequent increase in the

one of the most elite golf

of players from across various

value of participation which has

tournaments in the country, with

industries

grown from M75 000 at the

the King’s Cup remaining one

associate over a few days of elite

commencement

of the most sort after crowns

golf combined with entertaining

tournament (for a team of 4

within the golfing community.

activities while accumulating

players) to a M 100 000 for the

With each year, the tournament

funds for charity. The 2016

same number of players in 2016.

has gotten bigger and better with

King’s Cup Golf Tournament

Even so, this has not curbed

increased participation from

was no different. In fact, this

companies from participating in

local businesses and more

year

has

this cup as the welfares far

significant prices to be won. The

increased to R3 Million Rands

outweigh the cost. With at least

Golf Tournament does not only

worth of merchandise and the

60 registered players in this

provide a good setting for

overall amount raised for the

tournament, this has ascertained

businesses and entrepreneurs to

King’s

M1.1

the willingness of the Lesotho

engage over the common love

Million Maloti for 2016, from

business community to partake

of golf, but it also offers a

the M1 Million in 2015. Besides

in local philanthropic initiatives.

18

the

in

Lesotho

sponsorship

charity

was

to

of

the

balls

the

strategy. After hours on the

excitement from the many

course, most players said to

players. This proved to be an

have enjoyed themselves on the

enjoyable and engaging way to

green

kick start this year’s King’s Cup.

tournament is a welcome and

coupled

with

and

believe

the

worthy distraction from day to The tournament started on the

The 18th of November brought

day business. ‘My intent was to

eve of the 17th November with

with it a more serious outlook

give others a chance to win this

a fun session of Night Golf with

to the golf course as participants

year but I had much fun on the

was preceded by a welcoming

came primed to take home the

course.’ Says Tsepo Ntaopane

session

King

King’s Cup. Many players came

of Vodacom, 2013 winner of the

himself. Following a session of

prepared for the tournament

King’s Cup. Nevertheless, the

introductions,

players

with rumours of wins being the

Cup was taken home by

flooded to the course for the

order of the morning. Needless

Thabang

Night Golf. The golf course

to say, the gentlemen’s game

individuals and the team prize

was filled with small bright

teed off and the golfers headed

was taken by Nthane Brothers.

lights of glow-in-the-dark golf

out to the course for a full day

hosting

the

most

Khabo

for

the

of sun, breeze, focus and

19

20

The Master Chef Team Building Session Fun and Laughter Galore!

In another part of town at Mpilo Hotel, the ladies were getting ready for a fun team building session of Masterchef. The women were divided into different groups and tasked with making various meaty dishes, timed and awarded prizes at the end of the session. The atmosphere was filled with laughter, in between barked instructions and the cluttering of pots and plates. The energies were high and the cheers even louder.

The air was magnificent and filled with a strong sense of teamwork, collaboration and the backbone of support from other women. At the end of all the fun and gaiety, the awards were handed to the best teams, leaders and individuals and the ladies enjoyed another session of fun and cheerfulness. It was a lovely afternoon filled with lots of positive and uplifting energy. Women do build the best teams!

The Winning Team

Gallery

23

Elegance At Its Best Following the eventful day of golf and master chef, the participants were treated to a Gala Dinner at the prestigious Mpilo Hotel. The night was opened by MGC Group Chairman Sam Matekane with a light and humorous speech. Elegance was the theme of the night coupled with chivalry and gracefulness. The dinner was graced by the King and Queen of the mighty Kingdom of Lesotho along with the elite members of the society. With the background of the soft blues played by the jazz band, the clacking of champagne glasses and incessant business conversations, the night was truly sensational. The evening was concluded with an award ceremony celebrating the winners of the golf tournament and crowing the King of the prestigious 2016 King’s Cup, Thabang Kgabo who is now the keeper of the magnificent silver engraved King’s Cup for the next year before the challenge resumes all over again. Thabang walks away with the ostentatious Cup to the admiration and envy of his rivals combined with the cheers of his supporters.

Congratulations Sir!

Winning Team

24

25

Motul Roof of Africa 2016 Written by Gary Franks. Photography by Gary and Lynne Franks www.enduroworld.co.za

26

The Roof of Africa had its

level has improved. In the year

line-ups of top riders from

humble beginnings in 1967

2000 cars were excluded and a

Europe including three-time

when Bob Phillips, a Roads

few years later quads followed

Roof winner, Graham Jarvis

Engineer working in Lesotho,

suite with the terrain being too

(Brit), recent Red Bull Sea-to-

approached the Sports Car Club

rough for them.

Sky winner, Lars Enockle

in Johannesburg and asked

As the Roof has become more

(Austria),

them if they would like to run a

and more extreme, it has earned

(Spain), Andreas Lettenbichler

race over the worst road in the

the reputation of being “The

(Germany), Billy Bolt (Brit)

world that he had just finished

Mother of Hard Enduro”,

and Marc Bourgeois (France).

building. The Roof of Africa

ranking amongst the toughest

Missing from the mix would be

was born!

extreme enduro motorcycle

South Africa’s wunderkind and

events in the world and drawing

two-time

Until 1982 the event included

many of the world’s best riders

Wade

cars,

and

every year. The event is atop

sidelined

with

motorcycles and ran right

most riders bucket lists so the

However

the

across Lesotho with overnight

excitement in the air becomes

factory sponsored stars would

stops in either Matatiele or Sani

almost tangible as 450 local and

have their work cut out for them

Pass. Since then the route has

23 international riders as well

to beat the top local talent of

been contained within the

as media, fans, sponsors, crew

Brett

borders of Lesotho, covering

and families descend on the

Bouverie,

ever shortening distances but

Mountain Kingdom.

Altus de Wet and Blake Gutzeit

increasing

technical

The 48th edition of the Roof of

amongst others.

difficulty as equipment and skill

Africa drew one of the best

quad-bikes

in

Alfredo

Roof

Gomez

Champion,

Young,

who an

was injury.

international

Swanepoel, Travis

Scott Teasdale,

Kicking off the action on

At the Roof of Africa, much

of the hard charging Yamaha

Thursday morning, thousands of

depends on the weather and this

250F of Brett Swanepoel.

fans and spectators lined the

year it was blistering heat that

streets and sports fields of

would add to the intensity as

Riders put everything into

downtown Maseru to be treated

riders headed to the start of the

preparing themselves mentally

to aerobatic displays – first by a

Time Trial. The start/ finish for

and physically for this gruelling

Motul/ Yamaha sponsored stunt

this and the next two days of

event which takes an extremely

plane, and then by SA’s top

racing would be at the top of the

high degree of athleticism, skill,

Freestyle Motocross Riders.

infamous “Bushmen’s Pass”,

courage and perseverance. In this

Riders then race in eight groups

2600 metres above sea level in

event you will come face to face

“Round the Houses”. This

the rugged and unforgiving

with yourself and have to

opening stage of the Roof has

Maluti Mountains. The 53 km

overcome

always been purely for the local

Time Trial route proved to be the

adversities, chief amongst them

spectators, however this year it

toughest one to date with many

being the overwhelming urge to

would count towards overall

riders taking as long as four

quit. But quitting is most often

time which made the racing all

hours and forty minutes to finish.

not an option – there’s nowhere

the more intense. In the premier

Defending

Graham

to go in these mountains but

Gold class, Frenchman Marc

Jarvis, took just one hour forty

along the seemingly impossible

Bourgeois showed his World

seven

his

trail in front of you. The Roof of

Enduro Championship skills to

Husqvarna TE300 on pole

Africa is definitely not for the

draw first blood on his Yamaha

position, just nine seconds ahead

faint-hearted.

250FX.

28

champ,

minutes

to

put

all

kinds

of

The early Friday morning start

be unrideable, even for Jarvis

so much in personal cost and

line saw many wide-eyes and a

and Gomez who were way out

preparation would be deprived

little less enthusiasm as riders

front of the Gold class. The

of a finish through no fault of

had sampled just a taste of what

Bronze riders had the shortest

their own and organisers now

was in store. Little did they

route so got to Snake Bite before

had a nightmare on their hands.

know that today would present

most Silver and Gold riders.

the toughest route ever in the

The only way up for anyone was

Real tragedy struck on Snake

event’s history. Pass after pass

with help from other riders and

Bite Pass when a competitor,

of in-your-face rocks, steep

lots of local mountain kids

Willie-John Le Hanie, fell and

climbs

pulling and pushing on ropes

broke his neck. He was airlifted

descents would test riders

and

ensuing

to hospital but unfortunately

beyond their abilities.

bottleneck saw some riders

later succumbed to his injuries.

spending four hours on the pass

This is certainly a dangerous

Riders were set off according to

and there was no way everyone

sport, but we understand this is

their positions from Thursday’s

would get over in daylight. The

the first death at The Roof of

sections which is normally a

marshals decided to turn riders

Africa and it cast a dark shadow

good recipe to avoid bottlenecks

around to make their way back

over this event as enduro riders

forming at extreme sections.

to the finish via gravel roads.

are a close-knit brotherhood.

Unfortunately an oversight in

However some were up on the

Willie-John will be sorely

the planning saw all three

mountain and would have to

missed by all of us and we pray

classes (Bronze, Silver and

spend the night there. The

for his wife and two children’s

Gold) given a pass called

mistake caused a lot of tension

comfort.

“Snake Bite” which proved to

as competitors who had given

and

even

steeper

straps.

The

29

At the sharp end of the sword

parking his bike at the top of

Bronze class it was the talented

the bottleneck saga had not had

Snake Bite and walking back

Heinrich Zellhuber on another

much effect and Alfredo Gomez

down to assist a rider who had

KTM 150 who got the win

on a KTM had made up eight

assisted him. SA’s Golden-girl

ahead of veteran rider Garth

minutes

during

of enduro, Kirsten Landman,

Prost and Paul van der Nest.

Friday’s racing section. The pair

riding her KTM Freeride broke

would set off on Saturday

yet another record when she

The Roof of Africa has a long

morning with a comfortable 20

became the first woman to ever

proud heritage and is very

minute gap back to the chasing

enter and complete the Gold

special to the people of Lesotho

pack of Teasdale, Gutzeit,

class at the Roof.

and all Southern African enduro

on

Jarvis

Swanepoel, Lettenbichler, Bolt, de Wet and Bouverie. The

Seventeen year old, Calvin

grown significantly in recent

positions stayed more or less the

Hume showed not only his but

years – now it is vital that the

same throughout the day but the

the new KTM 150’s potential by

organisation catches up to that

chasing pack did manage to pull

comfortably winning the Silver

world class level.

back eight minutes on the

class ahead of Chris Barnes and

leaders. The final day’s route

Brett Peckham. And in the

was said to be tough but a lot better than Friday’s route, bringing back many of the lost smiles and enthusiasm.

In the end the biggest smile was that worn by Husqvarna’s Graham Jarvis as he claimed his 4th Roof victory, only the second rider ever to reach that number.

Alfredo Gomez was pleased with his runner up position on his first Roof attempt and Scott Bouverie was thrilled with another podium, his third at a major international extreme event. Fourth was Bouverie’s KTM

team

mate

Travis

Teasdale who was awarded the “Spirit of the Roof” award for 30

riders. The event’s status has

31

Morija Guest House Sesotho Language and Culture Hubb

Since 2005, Morija Guest Houses

recruits, other organisations

(MGH) has been holding more

(UN or development agencies,

The

than thirty “Introduction to

embassies,

participants to gain confidence

Sesotho Language and Culture

schools,

weekends” for expatriates who

organisations, etc) usually offer

Sesotho,

have come to live and work in

nothing more than a minimal

knowledge of Lesotho's history

Lesotho. Over the years it has

orientation course in their

and

become increasingly clear that

country of origin, just before

generally

these weekends fill an important

departure. Once they’ve arrived

comfortable

gap. Indeed, unlike in the 80’s or

in Lesotho, those expatriates are

environment. Because of the

early 90’s, there are very few

left to themselves as far as

beautiful setting of the guest

organisations working nowadays

getting to know their host

houses,

in Lesotho that set up language

country and its inhabitants. Yet,

scheduled

lessons or even just orientation

even knowing just a little bit of

programme.

sessions for their new foreign

the language can make a very

dancers are also invited to

staff. With the notable exception

big difference to new comers

perform and the atmosphere of

of US Peace Corps which organise

and understanding some basic

the weekends is always warm

well-structured

cultural concepts will prevent

and welcoming.

linguistic

and

cultural sessions for their new 32

international NGO’s,

awkward situations.

church

weekends

when

enable

attempting to

to

speak

acquire

useful

Sesotho

culture

to in

walks in

feel

more

their

are the

and

new

always weekend

Traditional

'Mamokola Matlanyane, who

‘Mapalesa Brigitte Hall, the

opportunities for the participants

gives the language lessons, has

owner of MGH, arrived in

to ask questions.

extensive experience teaching

Lesotho 29 years ago and went

Sesotho to adults from her long

herself through the process of

You can read more about the

work experience with the US

adapting

weekends in the Special Events

Peace Corps. She skillfully

environment. Therefore she is

section

encourages

to

well aware of the challenges this

www.morijaguesthouses.com.

most

process entails. She enjoys

Of course Morija is the ideal

reluctant speakers. Language

sharing her interest in Lesotho

place

learning

not

history and taking groups to

weekends because of its history

intensive as the emphasis is on

Thaba-Bosiu. She also helps

and its special place in Lesotho

ensuring

feel

'Mamokola to lead discussions

as the ‘wellspring’ of learning

motivated, not overwhelmed.

on Sesotho culture with many

(see www.morija.co.ls).

participate,

everybody even

sessions

the

are

participants

to

the

Lesotho

of

for

those

cultural

33

Lesotho Highlands Water Project 30 Anniversary th

THREE DECADES OF THE LESOTHO HIGHLANDS WATER PROJECT The Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) is an African success story made possible by the strategic Treaty between the Governments of the Kingdom of Lesotho and the Republic of South Africa signed on 24 October 1986.

The Project is based on the simultaneous need to supply South Africa with water to meet her projected demand for domestic, agricultural and industrial purposes and to generate electricity for Lesotho. It is designed to be implemented in four phases and on completion, to transfer 70 cubic meters of water per second to South Africa.

The Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA) is the implementing agency on behalf of the Government of the Kingdom of Lesotho. The Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA) raises funds for the water transfer component of the Project on behalf of Government of the Republic of South Africa.

30th anniversary This year marks the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty on the LHWP and 30 years of successful bilateral cooperation and partnership between the two countries.

LHDA celebrates the significant achievements of the implementation of Phase I of the project, and the first steps along the path to the completion of Phase II. Phase I achievements included the construction of the magnificent, 185m high Katse Dam, the Mohale Dam with their interconnecting tunnels, and the 72MW ‘Muela Hydropower Station which generates hydropower for Lesotho, and is a step along the journey to achieve power independence for the country. Apart from the engineering components, several infrastructural developments and ongoing social and environmental programmes ensued from the Project.

Phase II achievements to date include the completion of the demarcation of the Polihali reservoir, the award of contracts to Lesotho and South African companies for the design of several

components of the advance infrastructure works such as housing, bulk power and telecommunications, access roads, geotechnical studies and the diversion tunnels, for example, and the appointment of consultants on the environmental and social impact assessments and the resettlement of people impacted by Phase II.

Looking forward Phase II of the LHWP, comprising both water transfer and hydropower components, was officially launched on 27 March 2014 at Tlokoeng in the Mokhotlong district.

The Phase II water transfer component entails construction of a 163.5m high Concrete Faced Rockfill Dam in the Mokhotlong District downstream of the confluence of the Khubelu and Senqu River. It will have a capacity of 2,322 million cubic litres. Other associated infrastructure will include a 49.5m high saddle embankment dam, a 70m high Polihali Intake Tower and a 38km long water transfer tunnel connecting Polihali Reservoir with the Katse Reservoir.

The exact form of the hydropower component is still to be agreed by the governments of South Africa and Lesotho, pending the outcome of further feasibility studies. A consultant to undertake these studies was appointed in October 2016.

Other Phase II activities include improved road infrastructure, power lines, telecommunications system, implementation of environmental and social programmes; public health, social impact and resettlement mitigation measures.

LHDA is confident of the successful implementation of Phase II to advance the economic benefits to Lesotho and South Africa of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project and build on the successful completion of Phase I.

LHWP 35

LetĹĄeng Di

iamond Mine

About Letšeng Diamond Mine The Letšeng diamond mine is operated by Letšeng Diamonds (Pty) Ltd, Jointly owned

by Gem Diamonds Limited as a 70% shareholder in partnership with Government of Lesotho as a 30% shareholding, Letšeng Diamond Mine has been in commercial operation since 2004 and produces over 100 000 carats per annum, moving over 35 million tonnes of earth per annum, employing of more than 1500 people. Letšeng Mine has been said to produce ‘the highest quality gem diamonds, which have continually been sold at the highest price per carat of any kimberlite diamonds mine in the world.

39

Metropolitan: Believing in YOU! Metropolitan have proven that they are worth your

Policy options have grown substantially since the

investment and trust. Being a first mover,

old days and Metropolitan as a company is most

Metropolitan are the longest standing insurance

concerned about the financial well-being of its

company in Lesotho. Others have come and gone.

clientele in every circumstance, not just for

So how has Metropolitan managed to stay strong

funerals. As much as a dignified funeral is

in Lesotho?

important, so is a valuable education and medical insurance for those unforeseen illnesses or medical

“We genuinely care about the welfare of the people

emergencies.

of Lesotho,” says Mr Nkau Matete, MD of Metropolitan. “Our first really impacting product

Often we don’t consider these costs, until it is too

was our funeral policies; an extremely important

late and the expense is upon us. We then find

investment for the well-being of families,

ourselves in a difficult position trying to apply for

especially when a loved one has passed on. Even

loans to pay expensive bills. It is much better to

more especially when that loved one is the bread

save a little amount monthly to ensure that your

winner of the family.”

child’s education is paid for; or if you are in an accident that your hospital bills are covered.

Insurance Myth Busters!

MYTH 1: Insurers do not want to pay claims. We pay a significant number of claims and any client is able to request our payout statistics to verify our payout rates MYTH 2: You have to wait in long queues for everything. We have just introduced Fax2email where you can process your claim electronically. We understand queues are not effective and take up too much time. So we have implemented a process to help you do it faster.

MYTH 3: We are slow to process claims. We have a guarantee to process claims and payouts for our clients within an agreed time frame. If all your documentation is in there should be no hold up. We have put a lot of resources and energy into reducing turnaround times so that your experience with us is a pleasant one.

MYTH 4: Health products require clients to pay cash up front. We have a set of health care providers who do not require you to pay cash up front for services. Provided they are part of our pool of service providers you should never have to claim back money.

Metropolitan Life Undergoes a BRAND Facelift!

Metropolitan is solid! But it has decided to give the brand a delightful facelift. Although Metropolitan is well entrenched, they realised that the company must reflect its clients. “We recognize the variety of clients that we have and their varying needs and we want to express that in our brand identity� Says Nkau Matete.

The famous blue is still the primary colour for the company brand but they have introduced 4 key accent colours to represent specific aspects that are key to the clients

Life is colourful, your insurer should be also!

GREEN

RED

PURPLE

ORANGE

Representing health and wellness

Representing our retail individual clientele

Representing our Corporate business and clientele

Representing our efficient and resourceful admin wing

CONTACT US: E: info@metropolitan.co.ls W: www.metropolitan.co.ls Customer Service: +266 22222 337 / 287 / 116 / 110 Employee Benefits: +266 22222 136 / 109 Metropolitan Health Client Services: +266 22222 100 41

My First 100 Days in DEEP Water

by Lehlohonolo Manamolela

The past few weeks have left me with a challenge of deciding whether to share my first 100

customers to appreciate that

The abovementioned factors,

days experiences at WASCO

time is sometimes not a healer

along with many others shall

(PTY) or not. After much

in the case where infrastructure

be crucial in defining the next

internal debate, I was persuaded

is

Government of Lesotho’s 5-

by

replaced as it ages.

the

three

chronologically-

important

neither

maintained

nor

year National Strategic Development Plan (NSDP)

influenced

factors to open up to the water

The second factor is the recently

which is expected to cover the

consumers. These factors are

concluded UN-HABITAT III

period 2017/18 to 2021/22.

fundamental in recapturing my

Summit Conference which was

Many expect the Water Sector

short-term

while

held in Quito, Ecuador in South

to take a central stage in

supporting my long-term vision

America. This gathering mainly

harnessing the full potential of

for WASCO as a water supplier

focused on the New Agenda

the Lesotho‘s “White Gold” as

to the town populations.

around Housing and Sustainable

it is commonly referred to.

learnings

Urban Development, tackling The first influencing factor is

the new challenges of urban

the milestones marked by the

crises since UN-HABITAT II

year-jubilee

which was held in Istanbul in

This

1996. The third factor push

phenomenon usually comes

emanated from the 8th Lesotho’s

once in one’s life time. It can be

Population and Housing Census

co-opted as a coefficient to

which took place in April and

measuring Human Development

May this year.

Lesotho’s

50th

Independence.

Index. It is important for our 42

The common factor that can be

Company from outside point of

have decided to share the top

derived from the three activities

view. I did not have an internal

five hurdles of the Company as

above is the fact that the World

understanding of its many

well as the top five likely

is rapidly urbanizing. It is

challenges. I had to quickly keep

solutions viewed from a point of

amidst

view of a Mosotho man.

this

WASCO’S

growth

that

catch up with the events which

mandate

of

required an accelerated learning

delivering potable water to the

For

from my side.

the

five

challenges

identified below, their profile is

cities and towns of Lesotho better

shared as well as the likely

census results will undoubtedly

appreciation of the company’s

interventions. The list follows:

highlight the forceful pattern of

finance

-- Aging Infrastructure

rural to urban migration. Since

relations management gaps,

WASCO has the mandate of

internal processes bottle-necks,

providing water and sanitization

skill scarcity as well as low

in the Urban Centres of Lesotho.

stakeholders engagement issues

becomes very relevant.

Our

Today

I

have

positions,

a

customer

-

agement -

gradually building confidence

as

levels

the

WASCO’s

Chief

Executive. I knew this giant

of

how

the

Lopsided Data Management

in the Company. I am also On the 1st August, 2016 I started

Ineffective People Man-

-

many

Business plan not linked to Cash flow Plan

obstacles can be overcome. I -

Information sharing gaps

1)

Aging infrastructure

This public utility company is wholly owned by the Lesotho Government and was granted an operating License by LEWA in April, 2013. It has approximately 85,000 domestic and 5,000 Non-domestic customers. In the period before then and to a greater extent to date the organization has seen hundreds of kilometers of obsolete kilometer mainly represented by Asbestos Cement

As I am reawakening the Human

very reason that WASCO part-

Capital Practitioner in me I am

ners are being approached to fi-

busy ensuring that in the long-

nance

term good people are retained

Hydraulic

and short to medium term inert

Management Framework sup-

staff members are continuously

ported by software, MIS and Te-

reminded of Company’s expec-

lemetry

tation of them while finding best

intention to improve work plans,

strategies that will benefit the

Projects conceptualization as

utility company. This is the mes-

well as the improved manage-

sage I have carried to the 1/3 of

ment of costs and prediction of

the 16-designated urban centers

severe business encounters.

staff in my roadshows.

Pipes (ACP). Some of these go

To achieve this, strong pillars of

as far back as during the colonial

management are being made to

times. It is my belief that our

have people directed within a

current plan to map red zones

clear category of the novice, the

and rigorously budgeting right

unguided and the willing. This is

will see these replaced success-

intended to migrate to the train-

fully in the next 3 years. This

ee, the solid and the high poten-

will reduce the increasing num-

tial worker in a sustainable and

ber of leakages being observed

acceptable plan.

in the many areas where pipes are tired and in so doing saving water that is so expensive to

3)

Right tools to deter-

mine Data for Management

clean and deliver to our custom-

There is a Management say that,

ers.

goes like, ‘If you can’t measure

2)

Ineffective People Man-

agement

it, then you can’t manage it”.

One challenge facing WASCO is

4)

instruments

such

Models,

networks

Business

as

Projects

with

plan

the

not

linked to Cash-flow Plan I found well-developed Strategic and Annual Business Plans which lacked in Cash flow strategies. This resulted in spending on budget lines not supported by cash. Capital for Critical Projects is often revised down. A common Project and funding has been adopted going forward. The guidance from the Finance leadership has started showing robust consultations in building the different components of the 2017/18 budget.

its inability to collect data which

Notwithstanding the above, it is

For any organization to succeed,

can be analyzed to inform the

the introduction of new activities

the Leadership must ensure that

strategic decisions such as Main-

to increase revenue collections.

the 550 employees buy into the

tenance planning, power effi-

These intended initiatives in-

Company’s Vision and Mission.

ciency, profitability risk factors,

clude, direct sale, marketing pro-

This must not only be heard but

product pricing, staff skills lev-

motions and up to date debt

it must be seen to be practiced in

els and the general people man-

collections.

everyday work execution.

44

agement quotient. It is for the

5)

Information- sharing gaps

One of the winning strategies of internal and external communication science is the over-information at all times. The information gaps at WASCO manifests itself in many pockets’ formations. One is related to front-line staff, who sometimes cannot make decisions good enough for both the customer and the company. The newly developed draft of the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) is sure to make this uncertainty is removed. WASCO has also started a professional Call Centre which is intended to speedily resolve customers queries while at the same relay major water down times in the different water receiving zones in Lesotho urban with more information in high water risk areas such as Maseru, Maputsoe and the other valuable areas.

Conclusion In concluding, one believes that more could still be done one step at a time. WASCO shall change and win everything for the valuable customer. It is worth sharing that I have received the warmest welcome across all WASCO related stakeholders’ representations namely, the Water Ministry, the Board of Directors, EXCO members, WASCO staff members, the staff Union, Customers, Contractors, and all other Water- Non-water related.

The Lesotho Water sector is the place to be in the next 20 years to come, better for one to be around it. * * Lehlohonolo Manamolela is the Chief Executive at the Water and Sewerage Company (WASCO) PTY Ltd. He was appointed in the position on 1 August, 2016. His article is based on a Personal view of his pre-appointment perception, the actual experience and the envisaged high level vision desire for the company.

45

The Hand that Keeps on Giving ‘I believe the most powerful gift is educating our people.’ Sam Matekane of Matekane Group of Companies The investment mogul Sam

state of the art structure which

the year but the official opening

Matekane of Matekane Group of

aligns

is scheduled for the third quarter

Companies has done it again!

standards.

The

Known to many as a humble and

dilapidated

buildings

conservative

with

international and

of the year once all the structures

which

have been done and completed.

Sam

were short of a high school will

To add to such efforts, MGC

Matekane continues to offer his

be disused leaving the 2017

offers incubator programmes for

generous hand to help the nation

students in the newly built

newly graduated students to

of Lesotho. His latest project is

classrooms. The Bocheletsane

assimilate to the various roles

an

in

project is a multimillion Maloti

they have studied for in the

Mantsonyane that not only

project but the business mogul

different industries.

houses a primary school, middle

insists it is money well spent. ‘I

school up to a high school, but

am very happy to do this project

With this new project, the status

also includes a nunnery and

for my country so I play my part

of education in Lesotho will

Pastor’s quarters complete with

in giving back to my people. I

improve tremendously and give

a church (which was the first

mean, what is the point of

its people a fair chance in

building to be reconstructed)

success in life if you cannot give

competing with its neighbouring

surrounded by the striking

back?’ he says with a big smile

states.

landscape of the mountains of

and a spark in his eyes.

Sam Matekane remains the hand

extensive

soul,

structure

old

Lesotho.

46

that keeps on giving and we wish This marvel of a man is a

him the best of luck in his new

As a protagonist for education,

philanthropist of note and aims

endeavour. More prosperity to

Sam Matekane saw it fit to

to hand over the newly built

you Sir! *Hats off*

rebuild the Bocheletsane School

school to the government in the

from where he originates and

next year. The school should be

went to school himself, into a

in operation at the beginning of

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46

48

49

Justin Cohen

50

The

th 4

Industrial Revolution!

I usually don't talk much about the

extreme comb-over who is now

reduced the need for labor and

future. That's because there are two

leader of the free word. The evi-

will continue to do so.

kinds of futurists, those who don't

dence of dramatic change is all

know and those who know they don't

around us. And it’s happening at

know! But finally I can see that

exponential speed.

It’s become a platitude of corpo-

something extraordinary is happening today which is providing a clearer picture of tomorrow. If we don't face

The winning companies

rate speak but no word better deThe decline of labor

scribes the corporate zeitgeist

up to it, we are going to get left be-

To understand how this affects

than disruption. Established in-

hind.

work, look at how it already has. In

dustries are being shaken up by

1990 Detroit was the planet’s eco-

nimble startups who are quicker

nomic juggernaut, producing more

to respond to changing currents.

the

cars than anywhere else. The top

It’s easier to turn a speed boat

4th industrial revolution, what founder

three companies had revenues of

than the Titanic. But even that

and chairman of the World Economic

around $250 billion. In 2014, Sili-

speed boat may not stay afloat. In

Forum, Klaus Schwab calls nothing

con Valley was the new economic

the 1920’s the average lifespan of

less than the transformation of hu-

power house. The top three com-

an S&P 500 company

mankind.

panies produced about the same

Make no mistake this is a revolution

revenue as Detroit in 1990.

We

are

on

the

brink

of

that will change the way we live and work. You can see the beginnings in that

little

device

in

your

pocket: ubiquitous, mobile supercomputing. You can see it in artificially-intelligent robots, self-driving cars, neuro-technological brain en-

was 67 years. Today it’s just 15 The list of winners has become a chorus, speakers chant at corpo-

But here’s the kicker - while the

rate conferences. Airbnb, the big-

top three in Detroit employed 1.2

gest accommodation company

million people, the top three in

that owns no property, Facebook,

Silicon Valley employed just 137

the world’s most popular media

000 – 10 times fewer! Automation

company that produces none of

and digitalization have radically

it’s content, and of course Uber,

hancements, genetic editing, and a

the biggest taxi company that

reality TV talk show host with an

owns no taxis.

51

If you pity all those taxi companies

accelerate at such an unbelievable

those cars. Facebook certainly

that Uber put out of business, spare

speed?

doesn’t pay us for our latest status

a thought for all the Uber drivers

update, but we’re building their

who will lose their jobs to self-driving cars. Change that used to take

business. No wonder that the comOur new super powers

panies at the heart of this tech

a generation now takes less than a

To understand progress today, you

decade. And it’s not just Uber driv-

need to understand Moore’s Law –

ers. According to Klaus Schwab,

the doubling of computing power

within the next ten years, 30% of all

every 18 months. Gordon Moore

corporate audits will be performed

made that observation in 1965

by computers.

when he realized that the number of transistors per square inch of integrated circuit had doubled every

The end of death

year. That’s not quite true any more

boom are growing the fastest.

Just last week the CEO of one of South Africa’s top four banks told me that his biggest fear isn’t another bank, its Apple, Google, Amazon and Twitter who all have, or are starting to offer payment services.

We don’t realize how fast the world

but data density has continued to

VUCA

is changing because it’s happening

double.

With accelerating computing power

all around us. Just like the earth.

and interconnection, it become

We don’t feel it spinning at 1600 km/hr, because we’re moving with it. So how fast is change happening? Where companies generally grew at a linear rate, according to computer scientist, Ray Kurzeil, today they can grow exponentially.

What’s the difference? Take 30 steps linearly you get to 30, take 30 steps exponentially and you get to a billion!

Now in the early year’s of Moore’s observation doubling might not have meant very much but every year it means a whole lot more. To see what continual doubling leads to, fold a piece of paper in half. Not so impressive. But if you could fold a piece of paper 42 times how far do you think it would stretch? You would have a tower that would go to the moon. Fold it 103 times and it would be as thick as the universe!

even harder to say what is going to happen next. Who knows exactly what increasingly connected human intelligence

working

with

even

greater artificial intelligence will create? Elon Musk and Stephen Hawking believe that computers could take over and decide that the world would be better without human intelligence. I’m more optimistic that we won’t be murdered by a Frankenstein creation.

No wonder Kurzweil and others be-

That’s

lieve at the current rate of progress

that’s what’s happening to comput-

What ever happens in the end,

in 2025 computers will become

ing power as we speak.

management theorists like to de-

exponential

growth

and

more powerful than humans, and

scribe the new world we live in as

within a couple of decades after, we could crack aging and death. Sound like a crackpot theory? It was on the cover of a Time Magazine article: “2045: The year that man becomes immortal.” Just think about it. All you need to do is eat healthily and exercise till 2045 and you could live forever!” Okay, I wouldn’t bet on it, but why does progress continue to

Combine all that power with internet enabled crowd sourcing - that’s the ability to leverage the resources of almost anyone on the planet with a computer connection - and you see why in just five years Uber became more

valuable

than

Delta

Airlines. “Give me a lever long enough and I’ll move the world,” said Archamedes. That lever is the internet. Uber doesn’t pay for all

52

VUCA – volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous. The term was created by the US Army War College to describe the world that emerged at the end of the Cold War but it is even better suited to the world we live in today.

Adversity is the way life educates us.

You only have to look at the rand to

When tough times come, as they

In an ambiguous world, value is not

see volatility, the state of our poli-

will, embrace them as an opportunity

in knowing the truth but in the depth

tics to see uncertainty. Try sell a

to learn and grow. Adversity is the

and richness of your perspective. It

product in a world of TV, print, bill-

way life educates us.

is rarely one person who can offer

boards,

Facebook

this. The wisest person in the room,

marketing,

is the room. Don’t just use your

Google Adwords, Twitter …. and complexity will become your con-

Uncertainty

brain, use all the brains you can

stant companion. As for ambiguity,

You’ve heard it before - change is

borrow. The most intelligent people

just look at the various explana-

inevitable – except from a vending

are the most socially intelligent.

tions for our stagnating growth.

machine! What isn’t inevitable is our

They are the ones who are able to

response. It’s widely thought that that

leverage the intelligence of their net-

Charles Darwin said the fittest will

work.

Does that mean all we can do is

survive. Actually he said: those who

throw our hands in the air and ac-

are most responsive to change will

cept that the winds will blow as they

survive. I say those who lead change

If you’re concerned about VUCA’s

may? Not at all. There is much we

will do more than survive, those are

tempestuous currents, forget about

can do. In Norway, they have a

the ones who will thrive. I don’t know

predicting the next storm rather build

saying: “There is no such thing as

why change has become such a

a better ship!

bad weather, only bad clothing.”

swear word, if tomorrow always

Perhaps it is not a coincidence that

looked like yesterday, life would bore

Norway is ranked as the best place

us to tears. There is no certainty, just

in the world to live. With an attitude

adventure!

This article is based on Justin Cohen’s new presentation Future Fit:

like that even living in sub zero

Success in the 4th industrial revolu-

temperatures won’t stop your suc-

tion. Justin is a best selling author

cess.

The solution? Wake up to reality. In Zulu, Vuca – spelled Vuka - means “Wake Up”. Here is how to wake up and deal with it.

Complexity

and international speaker. For more

There are multiple variables. We

information

need to experiment with different

to www.justinpresents.com

options and be ready to fail. As they say in Silicon Valley, Fail fast and fail often. Actually there is no failure – only feedback! Besides, as Bill Gates says: “Success is a lousy teacher, it seduces smart people into thinking

Volatility The joke is we need a one handed economist

because

economists

generally tell us on the one hand

go

they can’t lose.” If you do lose, as the the Dalai Lama says: “Don’t lose the lesson!”

Forget about predicting the next storm rather build a better ship!

the economy could rise and on the other it could fall. We need to prepare for either. Resilience is more important than prescience. Make sure you have a rainy day fund.

Don’t be fooled by job security. Be

28

the best that you can be and there will always be a place for you.

53

55

56

10 000 Girls Adopted!

This November HER MAJESTY QUEEN MASENATE MOHATO SEEISO announced that more than 10,000 girls in 38 schools in Lesotho had been adopted under HLOKOMELA BANANA, a campaign launched by Premier FMCG in August 2016. The campaign aims to support young girls through the provision of sanitary products and thereby reduce school absenteeism.

At the Queen’s Gala Dinner in 2015, HER MAJESTY made a plea to companies to lend a hand to help ensure that no girl misses school while menstruating. The Queens National Trust Fund found that despite various initiatives to ensure that girls are able to attend school, many girls misused up to 50 days every year because of a lack of access to feminine hygiene products.

58

HER MAJESTY’S wish is that all girls in all high schools in the Lesotho should have access to free sanitary towels.

Premier FMCG approached HER MAJESTY and pledged to get involved with its feminine hygiene brand Lil-Lets, which led to the establishment of the HLOKOMELA BANANA initiative. The first school to benefit from the campaign was St James High School in Mokhotlong, attended by 624 girls.

At the launch, the Principal of St James confirmed that every week, in every class, at least three girls didn’t attend school for three days, and they discovered that this was because they didn’t have access to sanitary towels. She says since the launch of HLOKOMELA

BANANA no girls are missing school because of menstruation.

This month HER MAJESTY handed over Certificates of Appreciation to companies, organisations and individuals who have adopted schools under HLOKOMELA BANANA. Her Majesty once again made the call for more companies to ADOPT A SCHOOL, and there are still 290 schools remaining.

Nodumo Novuka, the Corporate Communications Officer of Premier FMCG says: “We are honoured to be a part of this initiative and we hope it inspires more people to support HLOKOMELA BANANA and make a change in the lives of underprivileged young girls in Lesotho.

Lil-Lets understands what it means to be a woman and some of the challenges that women may experience when they have their period. Younger girls can often miss school because they fear the embarrassment and loss of dignity if they do not have the confidence and protection of a reliable feminine hygiene product. As such, since 2013 Lil-Lets has been a proud sponsor of Caring4Girls in South Africa, a sanitary towels and menstrual hygiene programme for underprivileged girls mainly in rural communities. To date the brand has donated products worth more than R5 million rand”.

About Premier Premier FMCG was founded over 195 years ago, strategically repositioning itself in 2012 as a leading FMCG player by expanding from traditional milling and baking into confectionary, home- and personal care brands.

Premier has operations and distribution facilities operations throughout South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland and Mozambique, and a home and personal care business in the United Kingdom.

Today, Premier produces and markets iconic South African brands such as Snowflake, Blue Ribbon, BB Bakeries, Star, Mister Bread, Impala, Iwisa, Super Sun, Nyala, Invicta, Manhattan & Super C, Lil-lets, Vulco & Dove cotton wool. In line with its strategic intent of “Growing Together”, Premier’s vision is to grow its people, customers and brands. www.premierfmcg.com

To ADOPT A SCHOOL Call: +266 62 500 888 Email: nthakoanangatane@gmail.com Send a message to HLOKOMELA BANANA on FACEBOOK AND Follow us on TWITTER Facebook:www.facebook.com/HlokomelaBanana

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Traditional Home Made Ginger Beer

By Msi Mahakoe, mosilimahakoe@webmail.co.za

●1 box (90g)Ginger ●2.5kg white Sugar ●2lt cold Water ●2 pktsTartaric acid ●2 pkts Cream of tartar ●10g Fresh ginger

Put ground ginger, fresh ginger, water and sugar in a pot and bring to a boil, stirring constantly until all the sugar has dissolved.

Boil for 15-20 minutes, remove from heat, add cream of tartar and tartaric acid. Cover tightly and leave over night.

Dilute with soda water or water.

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PICK N PAY MASERU FAMILY STORE Welcome to a bigger, better and smarter Pick n Pay Store in Maseru.

Now you can shop in comfort and enjoy our ‘new look’ store in the Pioneer Shopping Centre, a stone’s throw from the centre of Maseru.

Inspired by the customers, Pick n Pay Maseru has created job opportunities while fulfilling one fundamental principle of Responsible Citizenship through empowerment and support of local producers, with ripple effect on poverty reduction, Destitute and less-privileged children remain the single focus of Pick n Pay’s corporate Social Investment; eleven entities are already the benefactors of this humble initiative.

GREAT VALUE Inspired to grow locally When possible, we buy produce from our local farmers. This creates jobs and opportunities in our communities and also helps you by providing highquality fresh produce every time at the best price.

The family store offers the following among others: ● Butchery: A pre-packed range, a bulk range and a gourmet range ● Bakery: Cakes and tarts, including a selection of deluxe cakes, confectionary, rolls, speciality and health breads ● Deli: Hot foods, processed meats, cheeses, salads and antipasti, fresh submarines, sandwiches and pinini’s The Family Store’s Mission is to provide our customers with convenient shopping experience while satisfying their needs.

THEY SUPPORT US WE SUPPORT THEM When possible, we buy from our local manufacturers.

This creates jobs and opportunties in our communities and also helps you by providing highquality bottled water every time at the best price.

PICK N PAY MASERU FAMILY STORE Tel: +266 2231 8815 • Pioneer Shopping Centre, Corner Pioneer Road & Mpilo Boulevard, Maseru

Traditional Sotho Recipe Umgqusho (samp and beans) Waffles with Szechuan Tripe

By Tafadzwa Anifasi, deankarrachef@gmail.com One of my favorite dishes is samp and beans (umgqusho) and tripe. So I decided to give it the #foodblesser treatment and create a new dish that still gives you that nostalgic feeling. You can use left over samp and beans for this dish but here is my umgqusho recipe with some few additions.

Ingredients Umgqusho 125 ml Beans 125 ml Samp 700 ml Litre Pinch Cracked White pepper Tsp onion powder Chicken stock cube .

3 garlic cloves Method Soak beans over night with three crushed garlic cloves Combine beans and samp in stainless steel pot and cover with the water and stock cube.

Boil with salt until tender for about 11/2 hours.

Stir in salt and onion powder and boil for a further 1 ½ hours .

Set aside and let cool.

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Szechuan Pepper Tripe Ingredients 500g Tripe 4 medium tomatoes One brown onion quartered 2 red onions sliced 3 garlic cloves crushed ½ tsp Szechuan peppers lightly crushed

Method Clean your tripe (but not too much you still need to know its tripe) and cut into strips.

Place into stainless steel pot and cover with water and tsp salt , bring to the boil then simmer till soft.

Cut tomatoes in half and place on a roasting tray with the quartered brown onion Drizzle with olive oil and season with crushed black pepper and salt and roast for 30 – 45 mins Once cool place in blender and blend the roasted tomato and onion and set aside, In a pan on medium heat place tbsp. of olive oil and caramelize the red onion (adds sweetness to the dish) ,once caramelized add the lightly crushed peppers and paprika and saute for a further 2 minutes then add the cooked tripe.

Once tripe is incorporated with the onion add the blended roasted tomatoes and simmer for a further 5 mins

Waffle 2 cups self-raising flour 2 cups milk 1 Tbsp baking powder 2 eggs 2 cups cooked umqqusho 2 Tbsp chives Combine flour, baking powder, milk and egg until combined (do not over mix) Fold in the cooked umgqusho and chives Cook the waffles according to instructions on your waffle machine .

En

! y jo 63

Be creative, Colour Me In!

65

Traveller’s Journal

A Majestic Drive Felistus Senwamadi

The drive from Mantsonyane to Maseru was nothing short of a majestic and spiritual experience for me. Coming from a country where you drive a thousand kilometres in flatland from either direction, with the only scenery being bushes and shrubs and the occasional wildlife, the drive down from the ‘mighty mountains’ to the town was remarkable.

You see this was not my first visit to the mighty Kingdom of Lesotho; I had visited Maseru more than ten times before but in all my travels I had never left town. I had always been kerbed to the capital but with intent to travel outside Maseru which due to circumstance had not materialised. Because of this, the drive was a very welcome experience which brought with it a varied view of Lesotho that I did not have prior to this experience.

67

The green landscape of the mountain areas was the first noticeable, for me in particular as my country Botswana is a semi desert and such green is not a common sight, especially as you move closer to the city. The drive was in the afternoon and I had the pleasure of the company of a local Mosotho who was more than willing to elaborate the various areas for me to be able to relate to the places and turned what is supposed to be a two hour drive into an incredible five hour expedition and crash course of Lesotho. We passed through a number of villages at which the humble and conservative culture of the Basotho still remains; the structure of the households and most importantly the humility of the people.

The beautiful drive on the curved roads between countless hills and mountains was a clear showcase of the beauty of Lesotho. The mountain areas have an abundance of rain and water that runs through the vast area and makes for a breath taking landscape. We made a stop in Mohale and had a great view of Mohale Dam, the second largest dam in Lesotho, with all its beauty and magnificence. It is also easy to notice the stillness of the mountains accompanied with crisp fresh air. The land is filled with small rivers that run through some areas within the mountains that hold much peace and serenity. Some are surrounded by small and cosy resorts such as Modimo Nthuse Lodge which is nicely bounded between tall green trees and offers a tranquil setting for guests.

There are many other worthwhile places I discovered in this drive like the High Altitude Training Centre which is commonly used by international groups.

I believe the most remarkable moment for me was being able to stand by the side of the road and marvel at the landscape; observing the grander of the mountains, watching the rivers flowing effortlessly down below, feeling the cool and calm breeze and revelling in the majesty of it all.

This drive brought me such peacefulness and proved to be a highly spiritual experience for me, not to mention that it uncovered a side of Lesotho I had never seen, and are now keen to explore further. Lesotho is indeed home to some of the most striking scenery that I had ever come across in all my travels and I am happy to return to this mighty Kingdom.

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Flight Schedule MALUTI SKY SCHEDULE Flight # 7D ETD ETA

Day Monday

From MSU JNB

To JNB MSU

102 109

7:20 16:10

8:10 17:00

MSU JNB

JNB MSU

102 109

7:20 16:10

8:10 17:00

MSU

JNB

102

7:20

8:10

JNB

MSU

JNB MSU

MSU JNB

101 102 109 110

6:00 7:20 15:45 17:05

6:55 8:10 16:35 17:55

Saturday

JNB MSU

MSU JNB

107 108

7:20 9:00

8:10 9:50

Sunday

JNB MSU JNB

MSU JNB MSU

107 108 109

7:20 9:00 16:00

8:10 9:50 16:50

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday Friday