Ramela horse tourney moved to Peka
’MANTŠANG KHUTLISI
MASERU – The March 15 Ramela Foundation-sponsored Horce Racing Tournament earlier penciled for Mohale’s Hoek has been moved to Peka, in Leribe.The contest is backed by the Ramela Foundation with a sponsorship package to the tune of M500 000.
The decision to move the event from Mohale’s Hoek to Leribe has been forced by the relocation of Mohale’s Hoek street vendors from inside the town precincts to the Mohale’s Hoek Race Course where it was planned to be hosted.
Ramela Foundation PRO, Lebohang Manamolela, told Public Eye in an interview that these developments have compelled the organizers to reconsider the use of the race course which has now been earmarked for use by the vendors – to avoid having to interfere with the new arrangement.
He added that the district’s main taxi rank has also been moved to the area, making it impossible to continue using the place to host the forthcoming races. “But this only a change of venue, the event will still be held on the same date,” Manamolela said. Launching the sponsorship in Maseru last week, Bishop David Thakadu Ramela said the tournament marked a special day for his long dream which he said has finally come true, and for which he thanks God.
“This launch is very close to my heart. King Letsie III is a huge fan of horse racing,” Ramela noted adding it is for that reason that Ramela & Associates supports the sport.
“We want to empower Basotho and fund their sports activities to build a better Lesotho for all,” he said. Ramela said horses need to be appreciated and taken good care of as lately most people eke a living out rearing horses. He added that is his wish for Lesotho to host annual horse racing events such as the Durban July annual event in neighbouring South Africa.
Bishop Ramela noted that God remains the centre of his wealth and that without Him, none of what he has achieved would be possible. He said it is time for the nation to unite and teach future generations about patriotic initiatives and the love of the nation.
“Let’s preach about horses, let’s plant this seed and let it grow amongst us.” Ramela is a visionary entrepreneur, a philanthropist and a bishop of St Paul African Apostolic Church. He originates from Thaba-Phatšoa, in the Leribe district, and is committed to sustainable community development both in Leribe and Lesotho at large.
As the CEO of Ramela & Associates, he employs over 8 000 people across Lesotho and South Africa and on occasion runs corporate social responsibility programmes.
The upcoming will see riders from as afield as Botswana – accompanied by their country’s sports minister Jacob Kelebeng – present to compete at the event.
Riders from neighbouring South African provinces are also expected to participate, with the Eastern Cape hauling a string of 16 horses for the Flat Race, the Free State will be bringing four horses while the North West and Gauteng provinces are expected to field two horses each for the competition in the same race.
The Triple Race will see six horses from the Free State, seven from Port Elizabeth, eight from Mpumalanga, two from Gauteng and four from Eastern Cape. Two hundred horses are expected to participate on the day of the race, which will also be graced by the presence of the South African Zulu King, MisuZulu KaZwelithini, KwaZulu-Natal premier, Thami Ntuli, and the Director General in the premier’s office Dr Nonhlanhla Mkhize.
