MMB hands over PPEs

  MASERU-THE Maluti Mountain Brewery (MMB) yesterday donated Protective Personal Equipment (PPE) to 1 200 legal liquor outlets. The MMB said it was donating the PPEs to assist the liquor industry comply with Covid-19 precautionary measures. Speaking at the event yesterday the MMB Country Corporate Affairs Manager, ’Mathabang Fanyane, said Covid-19 has wreaked havoc in the industry so much that costs associated with PPE will be a challenge for other outlets. “We are keeping our commitment to working with the government to prevent the spread of Covid-19, supporting liquor outlets with face shields, face masks, sanitizers, gloves, floor stickers, and Covid-19 educational posters,” Fanyane said. “The lifting of the prohibition on the sale of alcohol has come as a welcome relief for our business and industry, and the thousands of livelihoods who depend on us,” she said. “We fully understand that the situation requires vigilance and adherence to Covid-19 safety protocols, and we want to reassure our partners in government that we remain committed to supporting the national effort to curb the spread of this virus, hence the decision to support as many of our partners as possible.” Almost 25 000 livelihoods, she said, depended on this industry and during the period when alcohol sales were banned, many were left stranded. “We are looking forward to re-initiating the process of job creation and responsible growth for the industry, with an ultimate objective of returning confidence to ensure sustainability for all these livelihoods.” She said the MMB must “now focus on economic recovery as we chart our way into the future”. She said the resumption of responsible trade is essential, and the MMB looks forward to participating with all its social and economic partners, both small and large, “in this essential redress for the benefit of our employees, all other stakeholders and our national economy”. Motseki Nkeane, the chairman of the Lesotho Liquor and Restaurants Owners Association (LLROA), said they are grateful to have a supportive partner like MMB during these tough times. “We have been hit hard by this pandemic, some of the businesses have closed doors forever,” Nkeane said. “We are grateful for this support for some would not afford this PPE,” he said. Chaka Mosese, who is the chairman of the Independent Basotho Off sales Association (Ibosa), said life has been tough since the ban of alcohol sales. “We are thankful that we are finally open, we were afraid of losing people to hunger,” Mosese said. “Now that we are back, we ask that operating days be extended to weekends so that we can try to recover,” he said. The Minister of Tourism, Lekhetho Rakuoane, said it is good to see the industry’s commitment towards fighting Covid-19. Rakuoane said it is within the industry’s hands to see to it that everyone in it adheres to precautionary measures. “I know things have been tough, you even went to the courts to intervene but I’m glad we settled out of court,” Rakuoane said. “We need to work together to keep our people safe and your businesses alive,” he said. Staff Reporter