Mining firms strengthen ties

MASERU – Four mining companies strengthened their corporate ties by hosting a football tournament last Saturday.
The tournament organised by Mothae Diamond Mine took place at Lesotho Defence Force (LDF)’s Mejametalana Airstrip in Maseru.
Liqhobong Diamond Mine and Kao Diamond Mine were the other mining companies involved in the four-team cup competition.

The tournament gave workers time to break away from everyday work to play football and, according to event organiser Teke Nkhahle, the companies want the tournament to be an annual event.
Nkhahle, who is the process superintendent at Mothae Diamond Mine, said the purpose of the tournament was to motivate staff and foster good relations between local mining companies.
“Purchasing mine equipment from outside Lesotho takes forever to be delivered and that harms our production while waiting,” Nkhahle said.

“It is with games like this where we create friendships and (as a result) we can be able to borrow from other local companies,” he said.
Nkhahle said Mothae Diamond Mine plans to launch a company football jersey because it intends to take part in more tournaments in future.
“The tournament was sponsored with M4 000 which was used to buy the trophy, hire the playing ground and we decided to have a mass braai to eat together. The purpose is to bring togetherness,” Nkhahle explained.

The tournament’s final was contested by Liqhobong Diamond Mine and Kao Diamond Mine.
The game ended in an entertaining 2-2 draw after 90 minutes before Liqhobong were crowned champions by winning the ensuing penalty shootout 3-1.

Majaobe Maphoto, who works as a surveillance officer at Kao Diamond Mine’s and is the team manager of the football side, applauded the tournament.
“This tournament will make us go back to work filled with more energy and less stress,” Maphoto said.
“It was more fun for us as a team because we went to the final and we are definitely going back to work refreshed.”

Molise Molise