BEREA – His Majesty King Letsie III has advocated for the inclusion of nutrition education in the curriculum of initiation schools.
As the African Union’s Champion for Nutrition and a Special Ambassador for Nutrition for the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the King expressed these views during the World Food Day 2025 commemoration at Ha Moshati, Teyateyaneng, Berea.
World Food Day is celebrated annually on October 16, but in Lesotho, it was observed on November 14. This global event aims to raise awareness about food security, nutrition, and sustainable farming practices.
World Food Day also commemorates the founding of FAO, which is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year. The theme for this year’s observance was ‘Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future’.
The King emphasised the importance of healthy eating for initiates, stressing the need for them to care for and provide for their families after completing their rite of passage into manhood.
His remarks coincide with the ongoing initiation school season, during which boys who undergo this rite are regarded as men.
Nutrition education will teach them about balanced diets and the benefits of making good food choices.
He urged initiates across the country to cultivate their fields and grow enough food to sustain their families and communities upon completing their traditional teachings, noting that this would contribute to the nation’s overall health and nutrition.
Despite progress made by the government and stakeholders to combat food insecurity, a recently published report raises significant concerns about the issue. The 2025 Lesotho Vulnerability Assessment and Analysis report warns that many families in the country should prepare for challenging conditions.
According to this report, a family of four now faces a monthly cost of living that has risen to M1,320 from M1,220. The findings indicate that the current year’s Food Consumption Score reflects poor consumption levels, with 25% of households compared to 19% in 2024.
“Food and Nutrition Insecurity in Lesotho is driven by climate-related shocks such as storms, heavy rains, high temperatures, dry spells, and drought, which have adversely affected crops. Diseases affecting pets and livestock have further exacerbated food and nutrition insecurity in the country,” the report states.
In July 2024, Prime Minister Samuel Matekane declared a national food insecurity emergency. Last year, approximately 700,000 people in Lesotho—nearly one in three—were reported to be struggling with severe food shortages, an increase from 582,000 the previous year. The funds required to alleviate this crisis were estimated to exceed M3 billion.
More than half of the respondents, 60%, reside in rural areas, while the remaining 40% live in urban settings. All wealth groups were represented in the interviews, including very poor, poor, middle, and better-off households. Poor households accounted for 44%, very poor 25%, middle 25%, and better-off 6%.
The report also highlights that 27% of households demonstrated poor food consumption, 37% were borderline, and 36% had acceptable food consumption. “The five-year food consumption score trends indicate persistent challenges in both rural and urban areas, with households consistently falling into the borderline and poor consumption categories. In urban areas, food consumption patterns also reflect increasing vulnerability.”
On behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition, Thabo Mofosi, Tšeliso Mokhosi emphasised that hunger knows no
borders and called for collaboration among stakeholders within the food ecosystem to ensure food security in the country.
“We must all recognise that food is a fundamental human right for everyone, including those in Lesotho,” he stated.
The newly appointed Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Dr Khothatso Tšooana, reiterated that World Food Day serves as a reminder of the importance of food security and that food is a human right.
He announced that next year, this day will be celebrated in Leribe.
