Mohale Ralebitso, Managing Director for Vodacom Lesotho.

Lesotho has received 108 000 Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines from the African Union African Vaccines Acquisition Trust (AVAT), the first batch of about 1.3 million vaccines to be delivered. The consignment is the culmination of a donation of US$1-million by Vodacom Group CEO Shameel Joosub to the Government of Lesotho made in March.The consignment was received by the Prime Minister of Lesotho, Dr Moeketsi Majoro.

The donation formed part of Lesotho’s US$10-million order made through the AVAT process and also receiving contributions from private sector organisations, development partners and the government.

On its own, Vodacom has purchased approximately 133 000 doses.

Mohale Ralebitso, Vodacom Lesotho’s Managing Director said, “As Vodacom Lesotho, we are delighted to be part of this important gesture to strengthen the health resilience and protection against the COVID-19 pandemic for the people of Lesotho. We are conscious of the critical interventions that the private sector can make to the health condition of the Basotho. We wish to continue making our humble presence felt in the health and other sectors through our Vodacom Lesotho Foundation to ensure that we make a difference in the lives of the communities within which we operate.”

The vaccines are expected to accelerate the mountain kingdom’s roll out of its vaccination plan, which has so far benefitted from two 36 000 consignments of the AU-backed AstraZeneca vaccines and the generous assistance by the American people.

It is expected that Lesotho will vaccinate its total eligible population of 1.4 million according to its 3-phase vaccination plan.

The latest vaccines should graduate the country to subsequent phases and benefit population categories such as teachers, border personnel, armed forces, factory workers, and the general public.

Lesotho licence struggle

In February ITWeb Africa reported on the legal tussle between the Lesotho Communications Authority (LCA) and Vodacom Lesotho.

In October 2020, the regulator revoked Vodacom’s operating licence and ordered the company to pay R134-million in fines.

Subsequently, after heading to court, the operator had the licence revocation and fine suspended.

Vodacom Lesotho issued a statement which read: "We assure citizens of Lesotho that we remain fully focussed on delivering great value and a superior customer experience to the 1.2 million people who have chosen us as their network provider of choice and the around 661 000 M-Pesa users who rely on us for inclusive access to financial services. It remains business as usual for all our valued customers."