In a challenging economic climate, no event like ours will survive without the backing of corporate partners. This year is no different. In fact, it is more true than ever. With less than 2 weeks to go before the 8th edition of Lesotho Sky kicks off, we are proud to present to you the friends who help us to make this event possible.
A big thank you to our three main sponsors. Vodacom Lesotho, Standard Lesotho Bank and Alliance Insurance Company. Without their financial contributions we will not be able to host a rockstar mountain bike event in the heart of the mountain bike kingdom, as well as continue our commitment to develop cycling in the Lesotho.
Our very first sponsor and loyal partner right from our humble beginnings in 2011. Alliance Insurance has provided Lesotho Sky with much more than just financial support. Their valuable business advice and networking opportunities have contributed to the growth of the event and our brand. Further assistance with human resources (Alliance employees helping out before, during and after the event) have had a positive impact. We congratulate Alliance Insurance Company to their 25th anniversary this year and thank you for the inspiration and support over the years. We look forward to the next 25 years and to growing Lesotho’s tourism industry with you!
The relationship with Standard Lesotho Bank started back in 2012 with the 2nd edition of the Lesotho Sky Event. What started as a small financial contribution quickly grew into a solid sponsorship investment alongside our two other main sponsors Alliance Insurance and Vodacom Lesotho. Standard Lesotho Bank has proven to be very reliable and is to date the only sponsor who has committed Lesotho Sky a 3-year sponsorship agreement.
Lesotho’s biggest network provider got involved with Lesotho Sky on a small scale in 2012 and subsequently upped their investment to be right up and next to Standard Lesotho Bank and Alliance Insurance. The event has become a lot safer thanks to the increased coverage in key areas and today nearly 100% of the Lesotho Sky route is covered with reliable signal. This has also helped us a lot to upload and share media content before, during and after the race. But the support has gone beyond just cash sponsorships. The Vodacom crew has been on the ground hands-on with branding, setting up sim-cards & data connection for all riders as well as with their mobile money M-PESA platform, which we use every year to pay community marshalls and prize monies. A massive thank you to the Vodacom team for their support!
Since our first year in 2011, Lesotho Sky has invited the best Basotho riders to compete in the event. The African Dream Team got founded by Mark West, who has put in countless efforts to develop cycling sport in Lesotho and take it to the next level. The African Dream team is the only professional UCI mountain bike team in Africa and is also supported by Alliance Insurance Company (and many other sponsors). This year, 5 out of 7 Basotho riders in the Lesotho Sky 2018 event are riding for the African Dream Team and the 3 main sponsors.
Lesotho Tourism has supported us from year one and is endorsing the Lesotho Sky Event as an official annual tourism event in the calendar. Apart from their financial support, they have also played an important role in helping us share the stoke in the digital space.
Sefalana Lesotho
Sefalana Cash & Carry Lesotho is a subsidiary of the Sefalana Group with operations in the fast – moving consumer goods (“FMCG”) sector. The group’s store portfolio is spread throughout Botswana, Namibia and Lesotho. Sefalana Cash & Carry Lesotho is Lesotho’s largest distribution and logistics company. We are proud to welcome Sefalana to Lesotho Sky for the very first time and thank them for their various product sponsorships.
Pick n Pay have been a very supportive product sponsor since 2012. Ask any rider about the amazing food at the water points (chocolate brownies for example) and they will confirm!
Irene J Notrem Foundation (USA)
The Irene J. Notrem Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that sponsors young children in schools and neighborhoods throughout the mountain villages of Lesotho, the communities South of Johannesburg South Africa or in the ghetto’s of the United States of America. The Irene J Notrem Foundation is sponsoring a mixed team from Lesotho this year: Mmeke Mapanya (mechanic at the Roma Bike Hangar) and his partner Ts’episo Lerata (she would be the 2nd Mosotho woman to ever complete Lesotho Sky)
Black Mix Lesotho only opened office in 2016 and quickly became one of the leading PR, Marketing and Events Management Companies in the Kingdom. Their capable team is for the 2nd year in a row assisting Lesotho Sky with local media and event management expertise.
PEAK (a brand of The Rosehip Company)
What started as a product sponsorship of the prototype Rosehip Ice-Tea at Lesotho Sky 2017 has grown into its own brand and identity. The very popular ice-tea was served at every water point and our riders couldn’t get enough of it last year… A massive thank you also to the Rosehip team who managed our water points friendly and reliably. We look forward to the water points and PEAK again this year 🙂
Recent Comments