Maseru – Lesotho’s King Letsie III has presented awards to 44 learners at a ceremony marking the achievements of participants in two youth development programmes, the Prince Mohato Award Scheme and the Royal Lesotho Lifesaving Award programme.
Twenty-eight learners enrolled in the Prince Mohato Award Scheme and 16 who completed the Royal Lesotho Lifesaving Award programme received their awards on April 17, 2026, in Maseru. The recipients had undergone training in voluntary service, physical recreation, skills development, adventurous journeys and lifesaving, among other components.
King Letsie III, who serves as patron of the Prince Mohato Award Scheme, congratulated the learners and told them he was proud of what they had achieved. He encouraged them to use the skills they had gained to contribute to community development, noting that such competencies were valuable not only to individuals but to the nation as a whole. 
Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Education and Training, Chief Executive Officer for Secondary Education Dr. Jone Marole said the Prince Mohato Award Scheme plays a significant role in the ministry’s learner care and support initiatives, which are aimed at improving learner retention in schools.
Dr. Marole explained that the scheme’s four sections cover voluntary service, where learners engage in community work while improving their social wellbeing, as well as an adventurous journey component that builds a spirit of exploration and teamwork. Physical recreation promotes fitness and the development of healthy social relationships, he added.
Royal Lesotho Lifesaving Award President Colin Macdonald said the programme equips lifesavers with skills to rescue individuals in danger without putting themselves at risk. He noted that the main danger during rescue operations, particularly in winter, is cold shock, and warned that children can fall into swimming pools at any time of year due to carelessness, making it critical to have trained and competent lifesavers who can respond effectively and safely.
On behalf of the Prince Mohato Award Scheme trustees, Mr. Ferdinund Kitayimbure commended the king and the lifesaving programme’s leadership for keeping both programmes going over the years. He pointed to their positive impact on learners and communities and urged the award recipients to serve as role models in their schools and in the communities they come from.
One of the recipients, Lehlohonolo Mateteko, spoke on behalf of his fellow awardees and expressed gratitude, saying the awards “symbolise the responsibility and trust placed upon them.” He pledged that the recipients would use the skills they had gained to benefit their communities.
Both programmes are presented annually and are open to individuals regardless of gender, culture, religion, political affiliation or physical and mental ability.
