Early Christmas for MMB clients

MASERU – CHRISTMAS came early for two of Maluti Mountain Brewery (MMB)’s clients after they walked away with Nissan NP200 vehicles for promoting excellence in sales in their businesses.

The prize-giving ceremony was held in Maseru on Tuesday.

The MMB further distributed M1.5 million to its clients this year in a bid to increase its sales.

The winners of the two Nissan NP200 cars are Katleho Khuto, a tavern owner from Mohale’s Hoek, and Libe Mapane, an owner of an off-sales, who won in the gold category.

The silver category winner is ’Nokoane Rankhasa who runs an off-sales while in the bronze category the winner is Letšoala Letšoala, also running an off-sales.

Khuto said this was the first time he had participated in the competition.

He said he had been working hard to perform well in business.

“I am not only selling to clients in the tavern but I also deliver the stock to my clients,” he said.

He said this kind of business has the potential to grow.

“It just requires good capital and good customer service,” he said.

Khuto said the prize money will help him to stock his tavern.

“I have been hiring people’s cars. Therefore, this will help to minimize my costs,” he said.

The MMB Sales Manager, Pusetso Thoala, said this programme started last year.

He said due to the Covid-19 pandemic many businesses collapsed and they want to help them recover.

Thoala said due to Covid, they saw it befitting to include all kinds of businesses in this sector.

Then they decided to include taverns and shebeens in the competition since they take a bigger fraction in the industry.

Thoala said the competition seeks to motivate businesses in this sector to work hard.

He said if businesses work hard, this will increase more sales hence improving MMB operations.

“We are seeking to reach even the districts,” he said.

Last year MMB put aside M2.4 million for this competition with 800 business owners participating in the programme.

A staggering M793 000 was awarded to customers who exceeded targets.

“We are offering two cars this year,” he said.

Thoala said this year they will focus on helping a higher number of business owners with renovation projects.

Thoala said they have three categories being gold, silver and bronze where in the category of gold, they will be offering a Nissan MP200 car model.

MMB believes this will motivate business owners to increase their sales.

Thoala said this is not only benefiting MMB but also business owners due to increased profits.

A Mohale’s Hoek businessman who did not want to be mentioned said the competition was fair.

He said this kind of celebration should not only be about collecting the prizes but it should be used for networking between stakeholders as well.

He said he was expecting the business owners to be given a slot to discuss their challenges and strengths so that the sector could grow.

Refiloe Mpobole