AGP Executive Report

U20 AFCON Qualifiers: Namibia booked their place in the semi-finals after a perfect Group A run, beating Seychelles 3-0, while hosts Mozambique thrashed Mauritius 5-0 to stay in the best-runner-up race. COSAFA Cup (U20): Amajita coach Raymond Mdaka urged his side not to underestimate Eswatini in their final group match, with a draw enough to confirm a semi-final spot. AFCON 2027 Roadmap: The qualifiers kick off with 48 teams chasing 24 finals places, but the host nations’ automatic spots reshape the math for other countries. Lesotho Creative & Culture: The Lesotho 3rd National Music Awards brought music, movement and fashion to Manthabiseng Convention Centre, while Kacstone Records and Sister Kingdom Network joined a Maseru tourism summit to push cultural tourism across Africa. Media & Society: MISA Lesotho condemned vandalism at KEL Radio in Morija and called for a transparent investigation. Sports Sponsorship: STANLIB injected M250,000 into the Vodacom Premier League, backing Man of the Match awards for the 2026/27 season.

AFCON buzz for Lesotho fans: The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers kick off with 48 teams in 12 groups, but the “last winners” decision is still tied up after Morocco were awarded the title following Senegal’s protest—Senegal’s appeal is set for the Court of Arbitration for Sport on Oct 8. U20 football spotlight: In the TotalEnergies CAF U20 Cosafa qualifiers in Mozambique, South Africa beat Angola 2-0 while Eswatini edged Lesotho 3-2 with a stoppage-time winner; Zambia also booked a semifinal spot early after a 3-0 win. Local sport & talent: Lesotho’s AFCON qualifiers squad gets a fresh look with new faces like Bakuena Ramakatsa and Molefi Kulehile, as Likuena prepare to open against Niger then host Morocco. Tourism & culture push: Maseru hosted the Lesotho Tourism Pitso, with Ghana’s Kacstone Records and the Sister Kingdom Network backing cultural tourism and partnerships across Africa. Music on stage: Lesotho’s 3rd National Music Awards delivered a full night of performances, fashion, and celebration at Manthabiseng Convention Centre. Media freedom: MISA Lesotho condemned vandalism at KEL Radio in Morija and called for a transparent investigation.

Tourism & Culture: Kacstone Records and the Sister Kingdom Network joined Lesotho’s Lesotho Tourism Pitso in Maseru, pushing cultural tourism and intra-African exchange with the Ministry of Sports, Tourism and Culture and the Tourism Development Corporation. Creative Skills: Eswatini youth creatives trained in grant-writing and proposal development ahead of the EU-funded AEPC Southern Africa grants, with Lesotho included in the regional rollout. Royal Heritage in VR: Lesotho launched “Kings of Lesotho – The Royal Succession Story,” a free 360-degree VR experience running from Sept 23 to Dec 4 at Alliance Française de Maseru, with touring exhibitions across royal sites. Music & Worship: Lesotho’s 3rd National Music Awards delivered a packed night of performances and fashion at Manthabiseng Convention Centre, while “Gospel Alive” brought Basotho together for worship and a multi-artist gospel lineup. Media & Rights: MISA Lesotho condemned vandalism at KEL Radio in Morija and called for a transparent investigation. Sports (Local): Lesotho will compete in only eight codes at the AUSC Region 5 Youth Games due to budget limits, with mainstream athletics reduced to visually impaired athletes.

Creative Funding Skills: Eswatini youth, arts and creative-sector workers trained in grant-writing in Mbabane, building proposals for the EU-funded AEPC Southern Africa grants implemented by Goethe-Institut, with Lesotho among participating countries. Tourism & Culture Summit: Kacstone Records and the Sister Kingdom Network joined the Lesotho Tourism Pitso in Maseru, pushing cultural tourism and cross-border creative cooperation. Virtual Heritage Launch: Lesotho is rolling out a free 360-degree VR experience, “Kings of Lesotho – The Royal Succession Story,” starting Sept 23 at Alliance Française de Maseru, taking viewers from Thaba-Bosiu through key royal sites and landscapes. Music Night in Maseru: The Lesotho 3rd National Music Awards delivered a high-energy “Night of Music, Movement, Celebration” at Manthabiseng Convention Centre, mixing performances and fashion. Media Freedom Concern: MISA Lesotho condemned vandalism at KEL Radio in Morija and called for a transparent investigation. Health & Safety: Health teams recovered 160 expired ARV bottles near Ha Thetsane and warned against improper disposal and misuse.

Book Review: A new review spotlights Prof B. L. Kaul’s “Secrets to a Long and Happy Life,” a short, 11-chapter guide aimed at readers over 50 and anyone caring for elders. Tourism & Culture: Maseru hosted the Lesotho Tourism Pitso, where the Ministry of Tourism, Sports, Arts and Culture urged turning mountains, crafts, music festivals and horse riding into real businesses and sustainable local livelihoods. Music & Awards: The Manthabiseng Convention Centre buzzed for the Lesotho 3rd National Music Awards—performances, fashion and a full-house celebration before the big winners were announced. Heritage in VR: “Kings of Lesotho – The Royal Succession Story” launches as a free 360-degree VR experience, taking audiences from Thaba-Bosiu through key royal sites and landscapes. Media & Civic Space: MISA Lesotho condemned vandalism at KEL Radio in Morija, calling for a transparent investigation after the station was reportedly knocked off air. Health Watch: Health officials recovered 160 expired ARV bottles near Ha Thetsane and warned against unsafe disposal and self-medication. Sports (Lesotho in focus): Likuena named a squad for AFCON qualifiers vs Niger and Morocco, with new faces Ramakatsa and Kulehile among the additions.

Lesotho–China 60/77 Celebrations: Maseru marks 60 years of independence (Oct 4, 1966) as China turns 77 (Oct 1), highlighting deepening ties and new NUL scholarships for Master’s study in China. National Music Awards: The Manthabiseng Convention Centre hosted the Lesotho 3rd National Music Awards—performances, fashion, and a packed, high-energy crowd ahead of the night’s big announcements. Gospel Alive: Maseru Club welcomed “Gospel Alive,” uniting Basotho through worship and a star-studded gospel line-up that kept the audience dancing into the early hours. VR Heritage Push: Lesotho is launching “Kings of Lesotho – The Royal Succession Story,” a free 360-degree VR experience (from Sept 23 to Dec 4) bringing royal sites and history to life for tourism and culture lovers. Media Under Pressure: MISA Lesotho condemned vandalism at KEL Radio in Morija, calling for a transparent investigation after attacks that threaten civic and media space. Sports & Youth Football: Lesotho’s AFCON qualifier squad news and the AUSC Region 5 Youth Games plan show both ambition and limits—Lesotho will compete in only eight sporting codes due to budget pressure. Health & Safety: Health officials recovered expired ARVs from Ha Thetsane, warning against improper medicine disposal and misuse.

National Music Awards Buzz: Maseru’s Manthabiseng Convention Centre is buzzing with performances, fashion and ululations ahead of the Lesotho 3rd National Music Awards, with local acts and Empire Modelling keeping the crowd on its feet. Gospel Alive: Basotho gathered at Maseru Club for Gospel Alive—music, worship and dance into the early hours—featuring a wide line-up of gospel artists and a message of renewed hope. Heritage Goes Virtual Reality: Lesotho’s royal history is getting a 360-degree VR makeover with “Kings of Lesotho – The Royal Succession Story,” starting at Thaba-Bosiu and touring key sites, launching publicly from 23 September at Alliance Francaise de Maseru. Tourism Push: The Ministry of Tourism, Sports, Arts and Culture hosted a Tourism Pitso in Maseru, urging practical partnerships to turn Lesotho’s mountains, culture, horse riding, music festivals and crafts into sustainable local business opportunities. Media Under Pressure: MISA Lesotho condemned vandalism at KEL Radio in Morija, calling for a transparent investigation after the station was knocked off air. Football Spotlight: Likuena named a squad for AFCON 2027 qualifiers against Niger and Morocco, with new faces Ramakatsa and Kulehile among the additions.

Lesotho in the spotlight (football): Likuena have named a 25-man squad for the AFCON 2027 qualifiers against Niger and Morocco, with new faces Bakuena Ramakatsa (Bantu) and Molefi Kulehile (Matlama) earning call-ups after strong club form. Sports funding squeeze: Lesotho will compete in only eight sporting codes at the AUSC Region 5 Youth Games in Maputo due to budget limits, with mainstream athletics, swimming and other disciplines left out. Football sponsorship: STANLIB has injected M250,000 into the Vodacom Premier League as sponsor of the Man of the Match awards, adding M1,000 per game reward. Heritage goes immersive (VR): Lesotho is launching a 360-degree virtual reality experience, “Kings of Lesotho – The Royal Succession Story,” taking audiences from Thaba-Bosiu through key royal sites, with free public access at Alliance Française de Maseru from Sept 23 to Dec 4. Tourism push: The Ministry of Tourism, Sports, Arts and Culture hosted a Tourism Pitso in Maseru calling for partnerships that turn Lesotho’s mountains, culture, horse riding, music festivals and crafts into sustainable local business opportunities. Arts & culture (music): Basotho gospel fans turned out for “Gospel Alive” at Maseru Club, featuring a wide line-up of local and international artists. Media under pressure: MISA Lesotho condemned vandalism at KEL Radio in Morija and urged a transparent investigation. Public health alert: Expired ARVs were recovered from a dam near the Mabolou River at Ha Thetsane, with the medicines quarantined pending authorised disposal.

VR Heritage Launch: Lesotho is rolling out a new 360-degree virtual reality experience, “Kings of Lesotho – The Royal Succession Story,” taking viewers from Thaba-Bosiu through key royal sites and landscapes, with a free public run at Alliance Française de Maseru from Sept 23 to Dec 4. Tourism & Creative Economy: The Ministry of Tourism, Sports, Arts and Culture hosted a Tourism Pitso in Maseru, urging practical partnerships to turn Lesotho’s mountains, culture, horse riding, music festivals and crafts into sustainable local business opportunities. Sports Sponsorship: STANLIB has injected M250,000 into the Vodacom Premier League, sponsoring Man of the Match awards for the 2026/27 season. Football Call-ups: Likuena named a 25-man squad for AFCON qualifiers vs Niger and Morocco, with Bakuena Ramakatsa and Molefi Kulehile among notable additions. Youth Sport Funding Limits: Lesotho will compete in only eight codes at the AUSC Region 5 Youth Games in Maputo due to budget constraints, leaving out mainstream athletics, swimming and more. Gospel Night: Gospel Alive brought Basotho together at Maseru Club with a packed line-up of local and international gospel artists. Media Under Pressure: MISA Lesotho condemned vandalism at KEL Radio in Morija and called for a transparent investigation. Health Safety: Health officials recovered 160 bottles of expired ARVs near Ha Thetsane and moved them to secure storage for authorised disposal. Arts & Memory: A photojournalism piece by Drum generation photographer Anjith Kally is highlighted in Johannesburg Art Gallery’s “Homecoming” exhibition, including an image tied to the 1982 Maseru raid.

Health & Safety: Maseru’s DHMT recovered 160 bottles of expired ARVs (TLD 300/300/50 mg) from a dam near Ha Thetsane’s Mabolou River, quarantined them, and warned against improper disposal and self-medication risks. Media Under Pressure: MISA Lesotho condemned vandalism at KEL Radio in Morija, calling for a transparent investigation after the station was reportedly knocked off air. Heritage in Tech: Lesotho is launching a 360-degree VR experience, “Kings of Lesotho – The Royal Succession Story,” starting at Thaba-Bosiu, with free public access at Alliance Francaise de Maseru from Sept 23 to Dec 4. Tourism & Culture: The Ministry of Tourism, Sports, Arts and Culture kicked off a Tourism Pitso in Maseru, pushing partnerships to turn Lesotho’s mountains, crafts, music festivals and horse riding into sustainable local business opportunities. Football & Youth Sport: Likuena named a 25-man squad for AFCON qualifiers vs Niger and Morocco, while Lesotho will compete in only eight sports at the AUSC Region 5 Youth Games in Maputo due to budget limits. Gospel & Music: Gospel Alive brought Basotho together at Maseru Club with a lineup of local and international gospel artists.

AFCON Qualifiers: Lesotho’s Likuena named a 25-man squad for matches against Niger (25 Sept, Accra) and Morocco (29 Sept, Bloemfontein), with new faces Ramakatsa and Matlama striker Kulehile earning call-ups on club form. Youth Sports Funding: Lesotho will compete in only eight sporting codes at the 2026 AUSC Region 5 Youth Games in Maputo due to budget limits, with mainstream athletics reduced to visually impaired athletes. Football Sponsorship: STANLIB injects M250,000 into the Vodacom Premier League, backing Man of the Match awards to boost player motivation. Gospel & Community: Gospel Alive brought Basotho together at Maseru Club with a packed line-up of local and international gospel artists, aiming to unite people through worship. Heritage in Motion: A new 360-degree VR experience, “Kings of Lesotho – The Royal Succession Story,” launches for public viewing from 23 Sept to 4 Dec at Alliance Française de Maseru, using immersive storytelling and traditional music. Media Under Pressure: MISA Lesotho condemned vandalism at KEL Radio in Morija and called for a transparent investigation. Tourism Push: The Ministry of Tourism, Sports, Arts and Culture urged practical partnerships at the Tourism Pitso to turn Lesotho’s mountains, culture, horse riding, music festivals and crafts into sustainable local livelihoods. Health & Youth: World Suicide Prevention Day coverage highlights alarming mental health strain, with one in four learners aged 13–17 reportedly seriously considering suicide.

VR Heritage Launch: Lesotho is rolling out a new 360-degree virtual reality experience, “Kings of Lesotho – The Royal Succession Story,” taking audiences from Thaba-Bosiu through royal sites and landscapes, with a free public run at Alliance Française de Maseru starting 23 September. Tourism & Culture Policy: The Ministry of Tourism, Sports, Arts and Culture hosted a Tourism Pitso in Maseru, pushing partnerships and practical steps to turn mountains, culture, horse riding, music festivals and crafts into sustainable local business opportunities. Media Under Pressure: MISA Lesotho condemned vandalism at KEL Radio in Morija and urged a transparent investigation, while separate reporting and Amnesty calls spotlight the alleged abduction and torture of Newsday editor Kananelo Boloetse—raising fresh fears for press freedom. Regional Sports & Youth: Zambia’s Junior Chipolopolo camped in Maputo ahead of the COSAFA/AFCON U-20 qualifier, with South Africa, Lesotho and Eswatini also in the regional mix. Health & Consumer Alert: A COMESA-linked recall hit WBeauty Complete Clarifying Shampoo after bacteria were detected, with Lesotho included in export destinations.

Media Freedom: MISA Lesotho condemned vandalism at KEL Radio in Morija, saying the attack on broadcasting equipment could disrupt journalists, audiences and sources, and urged a thorough, independent investigation after the Information Minister visited the station. Tourism & Culture: The Ministry of Tourism, Sports, Arts and Culture opened a Tourism Pitso in Maseru calling for practical partnerships to turn Lesotho’s mountains, culture, adventure, horse riding, music festivals and crafts into sustainable local businesses and investment. Heritage in New Tech: Lesotho is launching a 360-degree VR experience, “Kings of Lesotho – The Royal Succession Story,” starting at Thaba-Bosiu and running free to the public from Sept 23 to Dec 4 at Alliance Française de Maseru, with touring exhibitions across the country. Arts & Youth Skills: An Ethical Fashion Initiative roadshow is pushing wool and mohair value addition in multiple districts, aiming to help young artisans and MSMEs turn raw fibre into higher-value products. Health Alert: Woolworths’ WBeauty Complete Clarifying Shampoo has been recalled after bacteria detection, with a COMESA alert noting it was exported to Lesotho and other countries.

VR & Tourism: Lesotho is launching “Kings of Lesotho – The Royal Succession Story,” a free 360-degree VR experience that brings royal history to life from Thaba-Bosiu to sites across the country, with a public run at Alliance Française de Maseru from Sept 23 to Dec 4. Fashion & Craft: The Lesotho Wool and Mohair Roadshow is pushing youth in multiple districts to turn raw fibre into higher-value products, while Durban Fashion Fair designer Sibu Msimang returns with a collection inspired by her aunt’s exile to Lesotho. Hard Enduro: The Roof of Africa hard enduro race is back in Lesotho from Sept 24–26, moved earlier to suit riders and reduce rain risk. Media Under Pressure: Amnesty and press groups are demanding answers after Newsday editor Kananelo Boloetse was allegedly abducted and tortured, as police say they can’t progress without speaking to him. Health & Youth: Lesotho reports that 1 in 4 learners aged 13–17 seriously considered suicide, urging better support for young people. Consumer Alert: Woolworths’ WBeauty Complete Clarifying Shampoo is recalled after COMESA flagged Pluralibacter gergoviae, with refunds offered and cross-border sales noted.

Virtual Reality & Tourism: Lesotho is launching “Kings of Lesotho – The Royal Succession Story,” a free 360-degree VR experience that brings nearly two centuries of Basotho royal history to life, starting at Thaba-Bosiu and moving through key sites in Maseru and beyond, with a public launch set for Sept 17 at the Royal Palace Banquet Hall and the main exhibition running Sept 23 to Dec 4 at Alliance Française de Maseru. Media Freedom Under Pressure: Amnesty International and press groups are calling for urgent action after reports that Newsday editor Kananelo Boloetse was abducted and tortured in Maseru, while police say the investigation is stalled because they cannot speak to him; the case has also reignited wider fears after KEL Radio was vandalised and forced off air. Fashion & Youth Skills: A Lesotho Wool and Mohair Roadshow is urging Teyateyaneng youths to add value to fibre through product development and entrepreneurship, aiming to shift wool and mohair from raw exports to higher-value designs for local and international markets. Sport & Culture: The Roof of Africa hard enduro returns to Lesotho Sept 24–26, with organisers moving the date earlier and adding entertainment-focused community activities via LesRock to boost local participation and awareness.

Press Freedom Under Pressure: Lesotho’s media is facing fresh alarms after reports of the abduction and alleged torture of Newsday editor Kananelo Boloetse, with police saying the case is stuck because they still need to speak to him directly. Media Safety: Amnesty International is calling for a prompt, independent investigation and stronger protection for journalists and human rights defenders. Sports & National Pride: Morocco’s federation has rejected Real Betis’s request to keep Abde Ezzalzouli out of the squad, while Achraf Hakimi’s fitness is being reassessed ahead of the Atlas Lions’ qualifiers against Gabon and Lesotho. Hard Enduro in Lesotho: The Roof of Africa returns to Maseru from 24–26 September, with organisers moving the date earlier to suit elite riders and reduce rain risk. Wool & Mohair Value-Add: An Ethical Fashion Initiative roadshow is pushing Teyateyaneng youths to turn raw wool and mohair into higher-value products for jobs and markets. Arts & Culture: Lesotho’s creative scene gets a boost as young designer Teboho Hlehlehe is selected for Aranda’s 2026 Young Basotho Designers cohort, reimagining the Basotho blanket for modern storytelling.