Qacha’s Nek, Jan. 28 — The Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition (MAFSN) will on February 26, 2026 host King Letsie III at ’Melikane Combined School in Mahoeng, in recognition of his role as Lesotho’s Nutrition Champion and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Nutrition Ambassador.
This was revealed by Moroetsana Letsoisa, an MAFSN officer with the Department of Nutrition and Home Economics (DoNHE), during the Qacha’s Nek District Nutrition Team’s monthly meeting.
Letsoisa said preparations for the royal visit are already underway, noting that the programme will include nutrition-sensitive exhibitions and household tours aimed at assessing food security and nutrition conditions at family level.
She said a MAFSN team visited the host area last week to finalise planting preparations at the school and households.
As part of the build-up to the event, 54 local authorities from ’Melikane have been trained on nutrition-sensitive and nutrition-specific interventions.
She said the training was intended to equip them to serve as community change agents while promoting His Majesty’s nutrition advocacy role.
The programme also included the distribution of four complementary food recipe booklets at the ’Melikane Resource Centre, principal chief briefing, public gatherings, school and demonstrations.
However, Letsoisa acknowledged mixed reactions from the community.
“Initially, the reception was not very encouraging, while a few residents embraced the initiative and agreed to establish nutrition plots, others were reluctant, with some even refusing extension officers access to their homes. That said, there is gradual change,” she said.
She added that old crops have been cleared and new ones planted at the school and some households, although water scarcity remains a major challenge.
“We are uncertain whether the crops will thrive due to drought and lack of rainfall, it is a serious concern, but we remain hopeful,” she said.
Letsoisa further revealed that clay ovens have been constructed at the school and one household in Mahoeng, while tippy taps have been installed to promote hygiene. Hygiene pits have also been constructed, with preparations continuing until the main event.
She said ’Melikane was selected as the host area due to its low levels of food production and high rates of malnutrition, attributed to community reluctance towards crop farming, uncontrolled livestock destroying crops, lack of fencing and heavy reliance on food donations.
“We are hopeful that this event will help shift mindsets and encourage residents to appreciate the importance of food production, even though change will not come easily,” Letsoisa said.
Meanwhile, Qacha’s Nek Disaster Management Authority (DMA) Disaster Management Officer Ithabeleng Koneshe stressed the importance of coordinated stakeholder engagement.
“When communities see unity among service providers, they are more likely to change their attitudes,” she said, citing a WFP-supported resilience-building project under which some ’Melikane residents expressed interest in vegetable farming and requested seed support.
“It is not too late. Moving forward, we need joint sensitisation meetings because agriculture is not only the responsibility of the Ministry of Agriculture,” she said.
Speaking to the Agency, ’Melikane councillor Lehlohonolo Mahase welcomed the forthcoming royal visit, saying preparations are already underway.
“We are proud to host His Majesty,” he said. “One major benefit is the rehabilitation of the access road to the school, which has been in poor condition. His visit brings tangible development.”
He acknowledged that drought continues to hinder crop production but said efforts are ongoing.
Ha Lehata councillor ’Mathato Mohlokoane also expressed excitement, calling on residents and leaders to contribute financially to ensure the event’s success.
“I have already contributed M50 as agreed with the community,” she said, adding that while agriculture remains a challenge, the initiative could help change attitudes.
“Our biggest problem is prioritising livestock over crop production,” she said.
According to the Lesotho Demographic and Health Survey (LDHS) 2023–24, Qacha’s Nek has the highest stunting rate in the country at 48 percent, followed by Thaba-Tseka at 46 percent and Mohale’s Hoek at 45 percent.
As ’Melikane prepares to host the King, the event is shaping up to be more than a ceremonial visit, offering an opportunity to test whether high-level advocacy, local leadership and coordinated support can translate into lasting change in one of the country’s most nutrition-vulnerable communities.
Ends/MM/tl
