Africa-Press – Lesotho. Alliance Insurance Company handed over a M800, 000 check to Maseru Street Vendors Association, earmarked to mitigate the impact of Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic on small
businesses. Speaking at the handover ceremony on Tuesday, Alliance Insurance Group Head of Marketing and Communications ‘Makeabetsoe Mabaleha said the check comes from savings made
through the brand’s U mang? Funeral Cover. Mabaleha said they noted with great concern the world-wide spread of the Covid-19 pandemic and the impact it has inflicted on the economy, companies and
households. As a responsible corporate citizen, she said Alliance is committed to ensuring that they make a positive impact in the lives of Basotho and truly
embrace their motto which is ‘’Always there for Basotho. ’ She mentioned that the M800, 000 will help street vendors across the country with stock capital of M400.00 each, as they will be working closely with vendors’
association committees to ensure transparency of the disbursements. Alliance also donated 4000 masks to taxi associations and the Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) as they regard them
to be among main sectors – that are in constant interaction with multitudes of people, on a daily basis. “With this we want to help them stay protected
against the pandemic which seems to be increasing rapidly as per the confirmed cases recorded locally,” she added. Maseru Street Vendors Association Chairperson
Molefi Paneng said Covid-19 has highly affected them, with effects intensified by the lockdown, which forced closure of businesses. “Street vendors selling
perishable goods ended up consuming their own stock, some used capital to buy essential goods,” he said. Paneng promised to work together with Alliance to ensure that all registered vendors
are assisted. Registered members of Maseru Street Vendors Association, Khathang Tema Baitšokoli Association and Mohahlaula Fruits and Vegetables Association will benefit from this donation.
The Ministry of Small Businesses Development, Cooperatives and Marketing Deputy Principal Secretary (DPS) Rethabile Maluke commended Alliance Insurance Company
for extending a helping hand to the street vendors especially during this difficult time of Covid-19. “Basotho are indeed big supporters of Alliance hence they took such a huge step of helping the street vendors despite the
economic slumber which has hit the entire world,” she said. In 2018, Alliance Life division launched ‘‘U mang?’’ Funeral Cover, a product named after Basotho from their various
administrative districts with the promise that each year, Alliance will set aside a percentage of the sales from this product to invest back into the communities.
Through this initiative Alliance Insurance Company put aside M1.5 million earmarked to help vulnerable communities affected by the Covid-19 that include among others orphanage
home care facilities and street vendors selling perishable goods. “Today with the economic challenges that come with Covid-19 and the subsequent lockdown, such a need has occurred and Alliance is here to respond to that,” she said.
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