2 more students win scholarships from Letšeng Diamonds

MASERU – TWO more Basotho students last Friday received full scholarships to study mining related courses from Letšeng Diamonds.

Neo Metsing will study for a BSc Honours in Geology while Lekunutu Letela will enroll for a National Diploma in Millwright.

Letšeng Diamonds will foot the bill for their studies.

The duo joins Relebohile Malebo, Tšepo Molongoana, Sebongile Motseki, and Lebellang Tšephe who are already benefiting from the scholarships.

Phutheho Maphatšoe and Matlali Seutloali are expected to graduate soon.

Letšeng Diamonds’ boss, Kelebone Leisanyane, said each student “deserves a pat on the back for making it through the rigorous selection process of this prestigious scholarship”.

“I am confident that the level of academic guidance and support that they will receive while studying will be fulfilling and enriching,” Leisanyane said.

Leisanyane said the recipients should be grateful to their parents, guardians and their teachers for nurturing their intellectual and academic talents.

“My humble plea to you is that upon completion of your studies, you should come back and serve your communities and this nation,” he said.

“The skills and knowledge you would have acquired are needed to grow and develop the diamond mining industry in this country. I wish you the very best as you commence this important journey in your life.”

Letšeng Diamonds (Pty) Ltd said it is committed to providing scholarships to deserving Basotho in response to the need for critical skills and expertise in the diamond mining sector.

Scholarships are offered to students currently studying or interested in pursuing tertiary qualifications that are related to the development of the country’s mineral resources.

Every year, prospective students and future mining professionals from all over Lesotho are invited to apply for the scholarship.

Then a competitive and rigorous selection process follows.

The company said in the end, not only the best candidates are selected “but people who will be ambassadors of the company and the nation as a whole”.

To make sure that the students are ready for the job market, a two-year internship is offered at Letšeng Diamonds after completion of studies.

The mine says this is done to equip students with necessary skills and experience.

Permanent employment is offered to top performing students at the internship programme.

Since the inception of the Letšeng scholarships in 2006, scholarships have been awarded to 45 young Basotho, 25 of whom have been employed full-time at the mine.

The educational scholarships form part of Letšeng’s corporate social responsibility and investment programme.

The company says the aim of the programme is to foster social and economic development that will sustain communities beyond the life of the mine.

On behalf of all students, Neo Metsing said they are very grateful to Letšeng that they were able to further their studies.

She said if it was not for Letšeng they would have not have been able to study outside the country.

Natural Resources Minister, Mohlomi Moleko, said “one gets to be successful when preparedness meets opportunities”.

“We live in an infinite world and every single thought in this world can be transformed into its physical equivalent,” Moleko said.

He said he is happy for all students and wished them well.

Tholoana Lesenya