Moroke Sekoboto
INSURANCE giant, Alliance Insurance, has committed to a significant investment aimed at keeping the city of Maseru clean.
The company has pledged to purchase two debris pickup trucks for the Maseru City Council (MCC), each valued at M1.7 million, as well as repair MCC parks, restore public toilets, and install shelters for street vendors.
This initiative was announced during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Alliance and MCC, formalising their partnership to maintain a clean and safe environment for street vendors to operate. The agreement was signed by Maseru Mayor Motlalepula Sepipi and Alliance’s Chief Executive Officer, Angus Yeats, at the Maseru Market area on Tuesday.
Speaking at the event, MCC Town Clerk, ‘Moea Makhakhe, said the collaboration with street vendors was important in that it would help maintain the cleanliness of Maseru’s streets. He said the five-year partnership with Alliance would allow them to efficiently manage waste disposal in the city.
“We must work together to create a clean capital city with business opportunities for vendors and their families. This is not just an idea, it will happen, and today we are launching this initiative,” said Mr Makhakhe.
He added that the initiative would span from Ha Hoohlo to Masianokeng and Masowe, ensuring that vendors earn a minimum wage while contributing to the city’s cleanliness.
“We have a project called ‘Lefielo’ where we spend M300 000 monthly to keep the city clean. I am negotiating with industry leaders to join this initiative. Every vendor should clean the streets before setting up their tables. It’s not just about perception—vendors are vital in ensuring a clean environment, and it benefits them to maintain that cleanliness.”
Alliance will also provide dustbins as part of the initiative, and Makhakhe urged vendors to take responsibility for keeping their areas clean.
In her remarks, Alliance Insurance’s Public Relations and Corporate Communications Manager, Limakatso Mokobocho, reiterated the company’s long-standing commitment to giving back to the community.
“In 2016, we launched the ‘U Mang Policy,’ aimed at creating a fund for each district from our profits. Although interrupted by COVID-19, we still managed to donate M1.5 million for vaccines,” said Ms Mokobocho.
She added that through the U Mang initiative, Alliance had also provided M800 000 to help street vendors restart their businesses post-pandemic, and distributed M300 000 worth of food parcels to the less privileged during COVID-19.
“Basotho have placed their trust in us for the past 30 years, and we are committed to giving back and supporting their livelihoods,” Ms Mokobocho said.
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