Building the Future Sustainably: rise International at the Kick4Life Forum 2025

rise International was honored to participate in the Kick4Life Sustainability Forum 2025, held earlier this month in Maseru, Lesotho. The forum brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including civil society organizations, local educators, private sector representatives, and change-makers, to discuss the future of climate resilience and innovation.

The primary focus of the forum was to promote and advocate for eco-friendly practices, particularly in the areas of waste management, environmental conservation, and the preservation of natural resources in response to climate change.

Representing rise International, Construction and Project Manager Thato Nkikana delivered a compelling presentation on the Stadium of Life, a flagship project built using Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified sustainable timber. She outlined the construction process and highlighted the project’s positive impact on the surrounding community, especially through job creation and local development.

Nkikana emphasized the role of recent university graduates engaged through rise International’s in loco fellowship program, which equips young professionals in the built environment with hands-on experience. She also stressed the importance of collaborative design, noting that rise International worked closely with the Kick4Life football team during participatory design workshops to ensure the stadium’s layout reflected the team’s input and vision.

“During the participatory design workshop, we worked closely with the Kick4Life soccer team to share ideas about the pitch layout. This ensured we, as rise International, didn’t impose our ideas, but rather reached a design aligned with our client’s needs,” she explained.

Speaking on behalf of their former cohort, Liteboho Korea and Lintle Mofolo—members of the fifth in loco fellowship cohort—shared their experiences during the construction phase, which spanned from March 2023 to April 2024. Their group of nine fellows worked on key elements of the stadium, including posting rails, a six-meter seating stand prototype, and a retaining wall for a 5-a-side pitch.

The duo discussed both challenges and successes, citing harsh weather conditions, the importance of teamwork, and the development of problem-solving and time management skills as significant learning experiences.

Korea, who served primarily as a Quantity Surveyor, also took on the role of Site Manager, thanks to rise International’s culture of cross-role learning.

“As team lead, I took on various responsibilities relevant to my field of study, including ensuring compliance with FSC timber regulations and overseeing community members who were employed during the construction,” Korea noted. “I am thankful for the in loco program, which allowed me to build lasting professional relationships.”

Mofolo, who acted as both Site Architect and Site Manager, reflected on the challenges of working with timber—a less common construction material in Lesotho.

“Initially, I was skeptical about the sustainability of using large quantities of timber,” she admitted. “But after learning about FSC and the planned construction methods, I understood how the project would protect and responsibly use timber resources.”

Mofolo concluded by sharing her personal growth through the experience, especially in teamwork, networking, and building confidence.

“I am truly grateful to rise International and Kick4Life for involving us in such a significant project,” she said.

The forum concluded with a guided tour of the stadium, led by Site Manager Keketso Sula. Attendees had the opportunity to experience the stadium first-hand, examine the timber structures, and explore how different sections of the facility are designed to accommodate people with disabilities.

A Q&A session followed the tour, providing a platform to address attendees’ questions and concerns and deepen understanding of the sustainable choices made in constructing the Stadium of Life