Celebrating Ramakongoana’s Olympic triumph, promoting local talent

NTHAKO MAJORO

MASERU – The excitement around the Mountain Marathon 21 is building, and one name is on everyone’s lips: Tebello Ramakongoana, the marathoner who made Lesotho proud by finishing seventh at the Paris Olympic Games with a remarkable time of 2:07:58. His accomplishment has sparked a wave of support, particularly from local businessman Manti Sehloho, the owner of Manti Sehloho Construction and Projects, who has pledged to reward Ramakongoana for his achievement.

Sehloho’s sponsorship of the Mountain Marathon 21 is not just about the race but also about recognising the outstanding achievements of Lesotho’s athletes on the global stage.  Along with Archbishop David Ramela of Ramela and Associates, Sehloho has pledged a reward of M50,000 to Ramakongoana. The two men will each contribute M25,000, as a gesture of gratitude and encouragement for the athlete’s success.

This pledge was announced last Friday by Qacha’s Nek District Administrator, Habofanoe Pheku, in the absence of both Sehloho and Ramela. It was a moment of pride for Lesotho, as Ramakongoana had become the nation’s first marathoner to secure a top-10 finish in an Olympic Marathon, a feat that had been years in the making.

Sehloho shared that the decision to reward Ramakongoana was not spontaneous; it had been planned well before the Olympics.“We came up with a plan to reward Ramakongoana during the launch of the Mountain Marathon 21 in May,” Sehloho said during an interview with Public Eye on Wednesday. “I and Ramela decided to reward him to the tune of M50,000, each contributing M25,000. This was after he won a marathon in the United States.”

For Sehloho, the reward was not just about celebrating Ramakongoana’s Olympic achievement but about recognising his consistent excellence. “Our plan was always to reward him after the Olympics because we knew that he would perform well, and of course, he did not disappoint us,” Sehloho added. “We actually expected him to make it into the top 10 after his impressive performance in the United States.”

Now, Ramakongoana is preparing for the inaugural Mountain Marathon 21, set to take place on October 26 in his hometown of Qacha’s Nek. The event promises to be a landmark in Lesotho’s athletics calendar, not just for its scenic route but also for the substantial prizes on offer. The winners in both the men’s and women’s categories will pocket M150,000, with runners-up receiving M100,000, thanks to Sehloho’s generous sponsorship of M1.2 million through his company.

Sehloho, who is also from Qacha’s Nek, expressed his hope that local athletes, particularly those based in Lesotho, would rise to the occasion. “I wish the race could be won by Basotho athletes living in Lesotho,” he said, his pride in the nation’s talent evident. When asked about Ramakongoana’s chances in the race, Sehloho was hopeful. “I want him (Ramakongoana) to be there and win it. Even if it will not be him, as long as it will be a Mosotho athlete based in Lesotho, it will be okay with me.” Sehloho’s passion for uplifting local talent shines through in his approach to the marathon. He believes that Lesotho’s high-altitude conditions give local runners a competitive edge, particularly against international competitors.

“I always watch local athletes competing in South Africa, and they are doing well. So I trust them,” he said, adding that if foreign athletes do not participate, it would mean more opportunities for Basotho runners.

Sehloho also challenged other local businessmen to launch similar marathons in their respective districts.”No one can change the world alone; hence, I am challenging other businessmen to do the same in their districts. It will be a good initiative if the businessmen can work together to improve the lives of their people.” With the Mountain Marathon 21 fast approaching, Sehloho’s efforts to promote and support local talent are setting the stage for what could be one of the most exciting races Lesotho has seen in years.