AGP Executive Report

AFCON 2027 Focus: Ghana named a 24-man squad for qualifiers against Côte d’Ivoire and The Gambia, with Mohammed Kudus returning after a long injury lay-off, and the Black Stars set to test themselves further in a friendly vs Morocco on 4 October. Lesotho Football: STANLIB Lesotho has put M250,000 into the Vodacom Premier League Man of the Match programme for 2026/27, rewarding standout players after every match. Youth Sport: Lesotho’s Makoanyane XI head to the COSAFA U20 qualifiers in Ghana 2027, drawn with South Africa, eSwatini and Angola, while Lesotho will compete in only eight sports at the AUSC Region 5 Youth Games due to budget limits. Health & Safety: MPs warn climate change is worsening maternal health access and GBV risks in Mafeteng, and the Ministry of Health recovered expired ARVs dumped near Ha Thetsane, stressing proper disposal. Public Services: A shutdown of Lesotho’s Health Maintenance Project Implementing Unit from 30 September is raising fears for 1.3 million Basotho as clinics’ water, power and sanitation systems could be disrupted. Digital Push: Lesotho became the first African country to validate a Data Value Creation Blueprint, backing its digital transformation agenda.

Regional Finance: SADC is pushing a new phase of capital-market integration with the SADC Exchange Gateway, aiming to link stock exchanges for easier cross-border trading. Football & Youth: STANLIB Lesotho injects M250,000 into the Vodacom Premier League Man of the Match programme, while Lesotho’s Makoanyane XI head to the COSAFA U20 qualifiers in Ghana and Lesotho will compete in only eight codes at the AUSC Region 5 Youth Games due to budget limits. Health & Safety: MPs warn climate change is worsening maternal deaths and GBV risks, the Ministry of Health recovered expired ARVs dumped near Ha Thetsane, and concerns grow that shutting down Lesotho’s HM-PIU could disrupt services for over 1.3 million people. Public Services: Roads Directorate unveiled inclusive traffic signals with countdown timers and audible buzzers for pedestrians with disabilities. Governance & Justice: The Crown seeks harsh punishment in the Khetheng trial, while PWDAC and the Law Society sign an MoU to improve access to justice for persons with disabilities. Sports Abroad: Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi insists there’s no rift with Sofyan Amrabat and names squads for AFCON qualifiers, with a friendly vs Ghana set for 4 October.

AFCON build-up: Morocco confirmed a friendly against Ghana on 4 October in Tangier, after qualifiers against Gabon (25 Sept) and Lesotho (29 Sept), with coach Mohamed Ouahbi naming squads that include first-time call-ups like Abdellah Ouazane and Yassir Zabiri while addressing fallout around Sofyan Amrabat and the Ceuta shirt controversy. Lesotho football: Likuena’s AFCON qualifiers squad adds Bakuena Ramakatsa and Molefi Kulehile for matches in Accra (25 Sept) and Bloemfontein (29 Sept) against Niger and Morocco. Youth sport (Lesotho): Makoanyane XI head to Mozambique for the Region 5 COSAFA U20 qualifiers, drawn with South Africa, Angola and eSwatini, with Lesotho aiming to use DDC-style preparation to handle tough opposition. Local governance & costs: In South Africa, Johannesburg’s mayor Dada Morero urged Soweto spaza traders to register and pay municipal rates, arguing the informal sector’s unpaid bills are deepening city debt. Health & access: Lesotho faces major risk after government ordered the shutdown of the unit keeping 226 clinics and hospitals running, threatening water, power, sanitation and safe patient care for over 1.3 million people. Road safety: Lesotho’s Roads Directorate unveiled inclusive traffic signals with countdown timers and audible buzzers at the State Library intersection, to be rolled out along Kingsway. Environment & services: Revenue Services Lesotho (RSL) targets planting about 24,000 trees this year, continuing its tax-linked greening drive. Justice & rights: PWDAC and the Law Society signed an MoU to improve access to justice for persons with disabilities, tackling barriers from facilities to communication and procedures. Sports sponsorship: STANLIB injected M250,000 into the Vodacom Premier League for Man of the Match awards.

AFCON Qualifiers Focus: Morocco named a 30-man squad for the 2027 AFCON qualifiers against Gabon and Lesotho, with the Atlas Lions set to host Gabon on 25 September and travel to face Lesotho four days later, before a friendly vs Ghana on 4 October in Tangier. New Faces for Morocco: Coach Mohamed Ouahbi handed first senior call-ups to players including 17-year-old Abdellah Ouazane, plus other newcomers, while keeping key stars like Achraf Hakimi and Yassine Bounou. Lesotho Spotlight in Sports: The Morocco-Lesotho qualifier is scheduled for Bloemfontein, putting Lesotho’s national team in the spotlight during the international window. Media Freedom: MISA Lesotho condemned vandalism at KEL Radio in Morija and called for a transparent investigation. Inclusion at Home: Lesotho’s 2026 Population and Housing Census included questions on gender identity and sexuality, with LGBTIQ+ groups saying they finally feel “part of the Basotho.” Tourism Push: Lesotho’s Tourism Pitso urged practical partnerships to turn tourism assets into sustainable local business opportunities. Weather Alert Regionally: South Africa’s cold snap could bring heavy rain, flooding risk, and possible snow in higher areas including Lesotho.

Disaster Watch: South Africa’s weather bureau warns of heavy rain, flooding and possible snow, with Lesotho’s high areas among those at risk of snowfall and very cold, wet conditions lasting into Saturday. Media Freedom: MISA Lesotho condemns vandalism at KEL Radio in Morija and calls for a thorough, transparent investigation after equipment was reportedly destroyed. Education & Youth: Finance Minister Rets’elisitsoe Matlanyane says the Loan Bursary Fund will back 22,034 students in 2026/27, with living allowances already sent to institutions via the Bokamoso e-Portal. Tourism Push: The Ministry of Tourism, Sports, Arts and Culture urges practical partnerships to turn Lesotho’s tourism assets into sustainable local business opportunities at the first Tourism Pitso in Maseru. Heritage in VR: Lesotho launches a 360-degree virtual reality experience, “Kings of Lesotho – The Royal Succession Story,” letting audiences explore royal sites from Thaba-Bosiu to Katse Dam. Sports Spotlight: Zambia’s U20 team arrives in Mozambique for the COSAFA U20 tournament, with Lesotho in the same group as South Africa and Eswatini. Rights & Inclusion: People’s Matrix Association calls for a safer environment for the LGBTQI community, urging communities to reject stigma and abuse.

Virtual Tourism & Heritage: Lesotho is rolling out a new 360-degree VR experience, “Kings of Lesotho – The Royal Succession Story,” taking viewers from Thaba-Bosiu through key royal sites and landscapes, with free public access at Alliance Francaise de Maseru from Sept 23 to Dec 4. Education & Skills: NECDOL is training reception class teachers to use digital devices to assess children’s learning and readiness, as part of its School Readiness Initiative. Early Childhood Development: Botho University and WASCO have signed an MoU to give students practical workplace experience in areas like water management, urban resilience and digital transformation. Public Health: A COMESA-linked recall has been issued for Woolworths’ WBeauty Complete Clarifying Shampoo after bacteria were detected; customers are urged to stop using and return it for a refund. Sports (Regional): CAF clearance means Ghana’s Accra Sports Stadium will host 2027 AFCON qualifiers, including Niger vs Lesotho and Somalia fixtures in Accra. Rights & Safety: The People’s Matrix Association Lesotho called for a safer environment for the LGBTQI community, citing stigma and abuse.

Migration & Remittances: Even as countries tighten migration controls, remittances are still rising, with IFAD reporting flows have doubled in recent data and family needs driving transfers. LGBTQI Safety Push: People’s Matrix Association Lesotho called for a safer environment for the LGBTQI community, citing stigma, abuse and exclusion from services and even families. Education & Jobs: Botho University and WASCO signed an MoU to give students practical workplace experience in areas like water management and digital transformation. Early Childhood Support: NECDOL is training reception class teachers to assess children’s learning using digital tools under its School Readiness Initiative. Royal Heritage Goes VR: A new 360-degree VR experience, “Kings of Lesotho – The Royal Succession Story,” will launch publicly from Sept 23 at Alliance Française de Maseru, with free touring exhibitions. Health Campaign: WHO-backed deworming plans target thousands of children across high-risk districts, with social mobilisation starting ahead of the exercise. AFCON 2027 Venue News: CAF cleared Ghana’s Accra Sports Stadium for international matches, and Niger and Somalia are set to use it for home qualifiers involving Lesotho. Hydropower & AI Deal Under Scrutiny: Lesotho’s $6.2bn Kobong Project with Convalt Energy faces conflict-of-interest questions after links to a minister’s stake in a potential local partner. Media Under Pressure: Commentaries renewed calls for answers after attacks on Lesotho’s media space, including the abduction of journalist Kananelo Boloetse and vandalism at KEL Radio.

Kobong Deal Scrutiny: Lesotho has signed a $6.2bn Convalt Energy agreement for a hydropower plant and AI data centre, but questions are growing over conflict of interest after Energy Minister Lejone Mpotjoane named Sekhametsi Investment Consortium as a potential local partner—linked to Public Works Minister Matjato Moteane, who has faced past calls for removal. LHWP Phase II Progress: The Lesotho Highlands Water Project Phase 2 is at 56.7% overall, with Polihali Dam 53% complete and the transfer tunnel 58%—despite delays from poor underground conditions. Health Preparedness: WHO says Lesotho has received about M2.5m in medical and IT equipment to strengthen pandemic surveillance and emergency response. Media Under Pressure: Commentaries and calls for answers continue after the abduction and assault of journalist Kananelo Boloetse and the vandalising of KEL Radio, with demands for protection and investigation. Education & Welfare: A deworming drive targets over 11,000 Qacha’s Nek children, with WHO-backed equipment also arriving to support health systems. Regional Football: Morocco’s qualifiers squad announcement is set for Thursday, while Lesotho’s AFCON campaign sits in the wider spotlight.

Severe Weather Alert: The South African Weather Service has warned of severe thunderstorms in parts of Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Free State and along the Lesotho border, with Yellow Level 2 impacts including localised damage, flooding of susceptible roads and livestock risk. LHWP Progress: Lesotho Highlands Water Project Phase II is at 56.7% overall, with Polihali Dam at 53% and the 38km transfer tunnel at 58% despite underground delays; ministers also opened the Khubelu and Mabunyaneng bridges to keep Mokhotlong connected. Health & Pandemic Readiness: Lesotho received WHO Pandemic Fund medical and ICT equipment worth about M2.5m to strengthen disease surveillance and faster outbreak response. Justice for Kananelo Boloetse: Police say they can’t move the investigation into the alleged abduction and torture case because journalist Kananelo Boloetse is in hiding, raising fresh concerns over his safety. Agriculture & Food Security: Minister Selibe Mochoboroane urged farmers to share practical knowledge and skills to boost production, saying training alone isn’t enough. Legal Update: Prof. Kananelo Mosito has won his case against the National University of Lesotho, with the Court of Appeal ordering his immediate return to work.

Lesotho Highlands Water Project: Phase II is still on track despite geological delays, with overall progress at 56.7% and Polihali Dam at 53% while the 38km transfer tunnel sits at 58% after poor underground conditions slowed the tunnel boring machines. Pandemic preparedness: Lesotho received WHO Pandemic Fund equipment worth about M2.5m, including blood-glucose monitors, ECG machines, laptops, tablets and modems, to strengthen early detection and outbreak response. Public health and food security: Agriculture Minister Selibe Mochoboroane urged farmers to boost production by sharing practical knowledge and skills, saying training alone isn’t enough without expert farm visits. Media freedom and police probe: Police say they can’t move forward on the alleged abduction and torture of journalist Kananelo Boloetse because he is in hiding; they appealed for him to come forward. Justice: Prof. Kananelo Mosito has won his case against the National University of Lesotho, with the Court of Appeal ordering his immediate return to work. Infrastructure milestone: Two new bridges—Khubelu and Mabunyaneng—were opened in Mokhotlong to maintain access for communities affected by the future Polihali Reservoir. Telecoms: Data prices in Lesotho keep falling, with the cheapest 30-day 1GB bundle dropping to M32.75 in September 2026. Regional security: South Africa and Lesotho destroyed over 1,700 illegal firearms seized during joint operations.

Press Freedom Under Fire: Police say they can’t move forward on the reported abduction and torture of Newsday editor Kananelo Boloetse because he is “in hiding” and not reachable, while Boloetse says he fears for his life and has offered to cooperate in writing. Public Accountability: A fresh critique argues Lesotho’s “watchdogs” are being hollowed out through appointments and quiet crossings, weakening the push to hold power to account. Justice in the Courts: The High Court is set to sentence two LDF soldiers in the Mohale Dam murder case, tied to the 2017 killings of three men whose bodies were dumped in the dam. Health System Boost: WHO and the Pandemic Fund handed Lesotho about M2.5m in medical and ICT equipment to strengthen disease surveillance and faster outbreak response. Water Infrastructure: Two new bridges—Khubelu and Mabunyaneng—were opened as Phase II milestones for the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, keeping Mokhotlong connected ahead of the Polihali Reservoir. Food Security: Agriculture Minister Selibe Mochoboroane urged farmers to share practical knowledge and skills to lift production, saying training alone isn’t enough. Telecoms Costs: A new data-price snapshot shows the cost of 1GB on the cheapest 30-day bundles falling to M32.75, down from M42.00 in 2023, with competition and Starlink cited as key drivers. Crime Crackdown: South African and Lesotho police destroyed 1,787 illegal firearms seized during joint operations to curb cross-border violence and trafficking.

Media Freedom Under Pressure: Lesotho police say they can’t move forward on the abduction case of Newsday editor Kananelo Boloetse because he is “in hiding” and not reachable, while Boloetse says he fears for his life. Public Safety & Justice: Police also appealed for him to come forward, admitting they don’t know if he is still alive, as rights groups demand an independent probe. Infrastructure Milestone (LHWP II): Two newly completed bridges—Khubelu and Mabunyaneng—in Mokhotlong were opened as part of Phase II of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, restoring year-round access for communities affected by the Polihali Reservoir. Health Preparedness Boost: WHO and the Pandemic Fund handed over about M2.5m in medical and ICT equipment to strengthen Lesotho’s disease surveillance and outbreak response. Telecoms & Cost of Living: Starlink-linked competition is pushing down mobile data prices; the cheapest 30-day 1GB bundle fell to M32.75 in September 2026 from M42.00 in 2023. Food Security: Agriculture Minister Selibe Mochoboroane urged farmers to share practical knowledge and skills to raise production, saying training alone isn’t enough. Crime Crackdown: South Africa and Lesotho destroyed 1,787 illegal firearms seized in joint operations to curb cross-border violence and trafficking.

CAF Champions League: Yanga advanced after beating Gaborone United 2-1 (3-2 on aggregate), setting up a second preliminary-round clash with Madagascar’s CFFA, who eliminated Lesotho’s Lijabatho 3-1 on aggregate. Police & rights: A Lesotho journalist and human rights defender, Kananelo Boloetse, was reportedly abducted and assaulted; Amnesty and press groups demand an independent investigation, while the US Embassy has stayed silent. Public safety: South Africa and Lesotho police destroyed 1,700+ illegal firearms seized in joint operations to curb cross-border crime. Health support: WHO and the Pandemic Fund handed Lesotho medical and ICT equipment worth about M2.5m to strengthen disease surveillance and healthcare delivery. Environment & community: RSL and the Forestry Department planted 2,000 trees at Kolonyama, Leribe, as part of ongoing forest restoration. Royal affairs: Thousands mourned King Oyo Nyimba Rukiidi IV in Fort Portal ahead of burial. Infrastructure: Lesotho Highlands Water Project Phase 2 bridges in Mokhotlong are set for unveiling as oversight continues. Youth & jobs: A wool and mohair roadshow urges Teyateyaneng youths to add value to fibres and grow businesses. Travel: South Korea says Lesotho citizens can enter with K-ETA and stay up to 60 days.

Firearms Crackdown: South Africa and Lesotho police destroyed 1,787–1,700 illegal firearms seized during crime-fighting operations, with the weapons transported to South Africa for destruction as part of tighter cross-border cooperation against trafficking, stock theft and vehicle crime. Health Support: WHO and the Pandemic Fund handed Lesotho medical and ICT equipment worth about M2.5 million, including blood glucose monitors, stethoscopes and ECG machines, plus laptops, tablets and modems to strengthen disease surveillance and healthcare delivery. Mental Health Alarm: Lesotho’s health ministry says 1 in 4 learners aged 13–17 seriously considered suicide, with many reporting they have nobody to talk to—prompting renewed calls for better support for young people. Press Freedom Under Scrutiny: Amnesty International and press groups renewed demands for an independent investigation after journalist Kananelo Boloetse was allegedly abducted and assaulted in Maseru. Infrastructure Update: Lesotho Highlands Water Project Phase 2 oversight continues as two newly completed bridges—Mabunyaneng and Khubelu—are set to be unveiled in Mokhotlong. Travel Ease: South Korea announced Lesotho is among African countries whose citizens can enter using K-ETA for up to 60 days.

Health & Rights: Amnesty International says Lesotho must urgently investigate the reported abduction and brutal assault of journalist Kananelo Boloetse, and protect him from further threats. Water Infrastructure: Minister Pemmy Majodina is on a 11–13 September oversight visit to LHWP Phase 2, with two newly completed bridges—Mabunyaneng and Khubelu—set to be unveiled in Mokhotlong, alongside a check on Polihali Dam and related works. Agriculture & Jobs: Farmers are being urged to improve grain production through knowledge sharing, while a wool and mohair roadshow in Teyateyaneng and other districts pushes youths to add value to fibre and grow businesses. Travel Access: South Korea has announced Lesotho as one of the African countries whose citizens can enter using K-ETA and stay up to 60 days. Sports Development: Lesotho Aquatics is set to get its first swimming pool at Ratjomose Barracks, funded through World Aquatics’ Pools for All programme. Business & Governance: Police have sent the Life-Line pharmacy death case of former Lesotho Times production chief Moletsane Makhabane to the DPP for possible prosecution.

LHWP II Bridges Update: Water Minister Pemmy Majodina is in Lesotho for quarterly oversight of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project Phase 2, with two newly completed bridges in Mokhotlong—Mabunyaneng and Khubelu—set to be unveiled this week, alongside a visit to the Polihali Dam site and related tunnel and resettlement areas. Visa-Free Travel: South Korea has confirmed that Lesotho passport holders can enter using K-ETA instead of a traditional visa, with stays of up to 60 days. Agriculture & Livestock: Farmers Pitso Agriculture Week kicked off in Maseru, putting livestock production and the value chain under the spotlight as stakeholders push for practical solutions amid food insecurity. Anti-Corruption: Opposition MP Jane Lekunya has agreed to repay M6 million and cooperate with prosecutors in an alleged M109 million agriculture tender fraud case. Press Freedom Alarm: Amnesty International is urging Lesotho authorities to investigate the reported abduction and assault of journalist Kananelo Boloetse, saying journalists and rights defenders must work safely. Sports Development: Lesotho Aquatics is set to get its first swimming pool at Ratjomose Barracks in Maseru through World Aquatics’ Pools for All programme.