…as it launches with ambitious goal to donate to 100 schools by 2028
Seithati Motšoeneng
THE glamorous launch of Her Royal Highness (HRH) Princess Senate Mohato Seeiso’s charitable initiative, Shoeshoe ea Moshoeshoe Trust and Foundation, has raised more than M1 million, with the organisation setting an ambitious target of reaching at least 100 schools across Lesotho by 2028.
The launch, held on Thursday at AVANI Maseru, brought together His Majesty King Letsie III, Prime Minister Sam Matekane, government officials, development partners and the public.
Speaking on behalf of the foundation, Pheello Mochaba said the occasion marked the beginning of a national movement rather than merely a ceremonial launch.
“Tonight, we gather not only to launch an organisation, but to launch a movement. A movement rooted in the timeless values of our founding father, Morena Moshoeshoe I,” Ms Mochaba said.
She said the movement was inspired by the spirit and achievements of Lesotho’s bicentennial celebrations, which marked 200 years of the Basotho nation.
Ms Mochaba said the foundation had been established to invest in the future of young people while preserving the heritage, identity and dignity of the Basotho nation for generations to come.
“We are dedicated to investing in the future of our youth, and to a movement committed to preserving the heritage, identity and dignity of the Basotho Nation for generations to come,” she said.
She outlined six strategic pillars that will guide the organisation’s work over the next three years: youth leadership and entrepreneurship; culture, heritage and identity; mental health and youth well-being; education and social support; community development and environmental stewardship; and responsible youth lifestyle campaigns.
According to Ms Mochaba, the foundation aims, by 2028, to reach at least 100 schools, directly engage more than 20,000 young people, support thousands of learners, advance mental health research, and strengthen community development and cultural preservation initiatives throughout the country.
“By 2028, we aim to reach at least 100 schools across Lesotho, directly engage more than 20,000 young people, support thousands of learners, advance mental health research, and strengthen community development,” she said.
She described the targets as ambitious but achievable if government, the private sector, development partners, civil society and citizens work together.
Ms Mochaba called on stakeholders to participate through structured partnership tiers, including platinum anchor, gold pillar and silver community support partnerships.
“That is why tonight we invite you not only to witness the launch of Shoeshoe ea Moshoeshoe, but to become part of this story,” she said.
She said the foundation sought to build a generation of empowered, culturally grounded and mentally resilient young people capable of contributing meaningfully to Lesotho’s sustainable development.
The launch also attracted significant financial support, with the Sam Matekane Foundation, through Prime Minister Matekane, donating M500,000 to the initiative.
In his remarks, the Prime Minister said meaningful progress required collective commitment, with citizens supporting one another towards a common purpose.
“Meaningful progress requires collective commitment and citizens supporting one another with a common purpose,” he said.
Mr Matekane called on Princess Senate and her team to ensure the organisation reaches the same standard of success as other established foundations.
He also stressed that transparency and accountability would be essential to building trust and securing the foundation’s long-term impact.
He said initiatives such as Shoeshoe ea Moshoeshoe were important in addressing youth unemployment, which remains one of Lesotho’s major challenges.
Traditional leadership also pledged support, with Kgosi Leruo Tshekedi Molotlegi, King of the Bafokeng clan in North West, South Africa, committing a further M500,000 to the initiative.
The two contributions are expected to support programmes focused on community upliftment, social cohesion and sustainable development.
King Letsie III commended his daughter for taking the initiative and said she had demonstrated remarkable commitment from a young age.
“Princess Senate has demonstrated remarkable commitment from a young age,” the King said.
He said HRH Senate had pursued the initiative independently, approaching him and Queen ‘Masenate Mohato Seeiso mainly for advice and support when necessary.
The King said the Royal Family, relatives and friends were proud of the young adult HRH Senate had become.
HRH Senate said the foundation was established as a platform for creating meaningful national impact following her return from studies in Canada.
“The Foundation was established as a platform for creating meaningful national impact following my return from studies in Canada,” she said.
She said the foundation emerged from the spirit and achievements of Lesotho’s bicentennial celebrations and was designed to champion youth development, cultural preservation, education, mental wellness and sustainable community development.
“The Foundation emerged from the spirit and achievements of Lesotho’s bicentennial celebrations which marked 200 years of the existence of the Basotho nation,” she said.
She emphasised that the foundation places particular importance on investing in people, especially young people, as they are central to the country’s future.