Celebrating Talent: Petroleum Fund Honors Poetic Passion in Lesotho
In a heartwarming ceremony held in Maseru this week, the Petroleum Fund continued its commitment to fostering creativity and talent among the youth by celebrating the top three winners of a poetry competition. The event, designed to honor the future leaders of Lesotho, coincided with the Fund’s 20th anniversary—a landmark achievement!
Participants from three local schools, namely ‘Mabathoana High School, St Stephen’s Diocesan High School, and Lesotho High School, showcased their poetic skills, with Rorisang Monaheng from ‘Mabathoana High School claiming the prestigious first prize. Monaheng was awarded M3,000 along with a sleek Galaxy tablet. Hot on his heels, Mehrnaz Tarr from Lesotho High School secured the second prize, taking home M2,000 and a tablet, while Busisiwe Nhlapho from St Stephen’s rounded out the top three with M1,000 and her own Galaxy tablet.
Advocate ‘Makananelo Kome, the Interim Chief Executive Officer of the Petroleum Fund, expressed profound appreciation for the students’ dedication. “We are here to celebrate our future leaders who took the time to create poems that reflect their thoughts and talents,” Kome stated. She underscored the importance of collaboration with the Ministry of Education, which encouraged student participation for such initiatives.
Lebohang Lihanela, an Inspector of English from the Ministry of Education, highlighted the competitive spirit of the event. Only seven schools from the Maseru district participated, out of 30 that offer Literature in English. This setup spurred the students to push their creative boundaries and deliver exceptional poetry.
Assessment criteria considered several aspects of poetic composition, including structural form, poetic language, and content. Poets were encouraged to express themselves vividly using rich language that paints strong images, while also demonstrating knowledge about the Petroleum Fund, which served as the theme for many of the poems.
The participants expressed heartfelt thanks for the opportunity to engage in such a rewarding endeavor. “I am truly grateful that as a boy I managed to get into this competition,” said Monaheng, sharing hopes for more inclusive competitions in the future. Nhlapho and Tarr echoed similar sentiments, crediting their supportive teachers as vital pillars in their creative journeys.
This initiative not only showcases the impressive talent in Lesotho’s schools but also emphasizes the importance of celebrating art and culture as tools for expression among youth. With the Petroleum Fund leading the way, we can expect more opportunities that inspire and cultivate the next generation of creatives in the region.
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