By: Mpho Shelile
Maseru
Standard Lesotho Bank (SLB) held the annual Bank Career Expo organized by Mind Liberation Psychology on March 22nd 2024, to promote career awareness and provide guidance to the future workforce of Lesotho. The event was held at the Manthabiseng Convention Centre, attracting hundreds of students from various schools across the Maseru and Berea Districts.
The Career Expo aimed to help students bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world career opportunities. It did so by exposing learners to various professions and industries through interactive sessions and presentations. Students had the chance to explore different career paths, understand the skills required, and interact with professionals from diverse fields.
The Expo was a powerful and impactful week-long event that brought together a multitude of local tertiary institutions, such as the prestigious National University of Lesotho (NUL), Botho University (BU), Lerotholi Polytechnic (LP), and Limkokwing University of Creative Technology (LUCT), Lesotho College of Education (LCE), Lesotho Agricultural College (LAC), IBC College, as well as highly regarded South African tertiary institutes.
During the expo, leading companies, educational institutions, and vocational training centers set up exhibition booths. Students had the opportunity to engage with representatives, inquire about career opportunities, and gather information about scholarships, internships, and mentorship programs. SLB showed its commitment to youth empowerment and education by supporting thus,
Mr. Anton Nicolaisen – the Chief Executive of Standard Lesotho Bank – delivered a keynote address that was one of the highlights of the event. In his speech, he emphasized the importance of education, passion, and perseverance when it comes to achieving success in any career.
SLB aims to help learners establish their desired career paths and assist Lesotho in achieving prosperity. In collaboration with Econet Telecom Lesotho (ETL) and Vodacom Lesotho (VCL), SLB is working towards ensuring that every Mosotho student receives the education they deserve, regardless of their background.
SLB Entrenchment Manager Thato Mathule confidently shared her educational journey with the students and urged them to embrace their failures and think beyond the conventional. She emphasizes the importance of acquiring diverse skills, skills that will enable the students to excel in their future careers. Mathule encourages students to listen attentively to their teachers, surround themselves with like-minded and ambitious individuals, remain curious, and read extensively to broaden their knowledge base.
SLB Head of Personal and Private Banking Rethabile Motsoahae, narratively presented a different perspective in that, “the actions one takes in the beginning of their educational journey do not necessarily determine their ultimate outcome.” He shared his own educational background and many learners reacted to it. Motsoahae cautions learners that some experiences might seem and feel ‘cool’ in the money and not so cool many years later on, and as such students need to be intentional in their decision making.
Concluding his stage time, he reminds them that, “even in the most unlikely places, beauty can be found,” – citing the example of lilies growing behind toilets, thus encouraging them to always strive for excellence in their academic pursuits.