TALENT alone is not enough, but combined with hard work it makes a perfect combination for success. This is reflected in the life of one of Lesotho’s most successful football administrators, Lebohang “Sebata” Maketa, who made a name for himself in football circles both on home soil and the neighbouring South Africa.

His unique talent and determination has over the years brought him glory that he cherishes today.

Maketa got the opportunity to work for one of the most revered and lucrative media corporations in Africa, the South African Broadcasting Services (SABC).

As a Public Relations Officer, he led Lioli to their first Top 4 final in 2002 after 20 years since their last appearance in the competition.

In 2006, he pioneered the now defunct Moafrika Marathon that ran from Teyateyaneng to Maseru.

As a General Manager, he led SA African Warriors FC to the National First Division (NFD) playoffs in 2009 but they lost to Black Leopards on aggregate.

He played a vital role as Free State Stars’ PRO and secured two sponsorships, the Scorpion Legal Protection and Dihlabeng Local Municipality for the side.  

He received the Best Sesotho Commentator Award from the Free State Department of Sports and Culture in 2009 following his participation in the development of what was then called the Sesotho Vocabulary Legacy Project, aimed at improving both radio and TV commentary during the 2010 World Cup.

In 2011, he launched the Maketa Foundation Soccer Tournament, which ran until 2014 in Tsikoane, Leribe for both high school and home teams as part of giving back to the community.

He established the Prime Minister's Charity Cup held in 2013 in association with the Lesotho Football Association (LeFA) and the Premier League Management Committee (PLMC). 

His unique talent has over the years granted him the opportunity to direct various local and South Africa major events as a Master of Ceremonies (MC).  

He was the MC at the 2010 Nedbank Cup final between Orlando Pirates and Black Leopards at the Mbombela Stadium.

He also directed the OR Tambo Commemoration Soccer Tournament organised by the Free State Department of Sports and Culture in 2011.

Later that year, he was the MC at the Telkom Knockout Cup semifinals between African Warriors and Maritzburg United at the Charles Mopeli Stadium.

In 2012, he led a Business Breakfast Meeting organised by the office of the Mayor of Thabo Mofutsanyana District in Clerens before directing the Dihlabeng Local Municipality Gala Dinner the same year.

He also directed the 2013 Free State Stars Awards Gala Dinner and the Southern African Inter Municipality Games (SAIMSA) held in Lesotho in 2014.

He was the MC at the 2015 Lesotho Sports Awards organised by Lesotho Sport and Recreation Commission (LSRC).

He directed the 2013 World Cup qualifier between Likuena and Ghana which ended 2-0 in favour of the latter.

He also directed the AFCON qualifier in Maseru where Likuena went down 3-1 to Algeria in 2015.

Born on September 17, 1973, Lebohang Maketa is the son of the late Ntja and 'Matello Mofeli Maketa of Mathokoane, Ha Mpopo in Leribe.  

He is the eighth child in the family of 10 - five boys and five girls.

He did his primary education at Saint Peters Primary School and his high school education at Molapo High School where he obtained his Junior Certificate (JC) in 1992 and his Cambridge Overseas School Certificate (COSC) in 1994.

In 1996, he obtained a Loss and Control Management Certificate from James Park Training College while working at Western Areas Gold Mines, before he received a Security Management Certificate from the M.J. Training College in Johannesburg in 1998.

He was accredited by the South African Security Board at the level of management with Grade B.

He was trained as a Surveillance Detective Specialist by the American Embassy in Lesotho in 2001.

Maketa graduated with a Certificate in Marketing from Damelin College in 2004 and a Diploma in Personal Assistant from the same institution in 2006.

He obtained a Diploma in Public Relations and Media Studies from the World Sports Management based in United Kingdom in 2010.

Growing up, Maketa was a sprinter and 200-metre specialist before he played professional football in South Africa.

He ran professionally for the Western Areas Gold Mines club from 1995 until 1997 while also playing football for the mine’s club.

He joined Bloemfontein Celtic reserve side from 1998 until 1999 under the late Styles Phumo.

In Lesotho he played for clubs such as Maradona Juniors, Arsenal and Lioli FC. At Arsenal, he used to compete against Moitheri Ntobo and Lehlohonolo Matlosa as a central defender under the mentorship of Teboho Sopeng.

Maketa worked for Burnets and Supreme Furnishers in 2000 before joining the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as a Personal Assistant from 2002 until 2008. 

His football administration career began in 2002 at Lioli where he worked as the club’s PRO after he officially hung his soccer boots.

As a radio personality, Maketa worked part-timely for Moafrika FM where he anchored a popular sports show that was broadcast over the weekends - between 2005 and 2017.

He served as the PLMC’s spokesperson for one season before he joined Free State Stars in 2008.

He left Stars in February 2009 and joined the Sharpeville Technical College as Marketing Manager for six months.