Today, young people gathered at the American Corner in Maseru to engage in an important conversation on reducing Lesotho’s dependence on foreign aid. The dialogue, organized jointly by youth from different backgrounds, marked a growing movement toward national sustainability, especially as the country approaches 60 years of independence in 2026.
Former Prime Minister and former Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Dr. Moeketsi Majoro, delivered the keynote address, challenging the youth to rethink Lesotho’s future. Referring to global shifts, including the United States’ withdrawal of certain aid packages under the Trump administration, Dr. Majoro urged Basotho to embrace a “Lesotho First” mindset.
“Trump told 192 countries to prioritize themselves — and so should Lesotho,” he said. “What have 60 years of foreign aid really done for our country?”
He further warned that privilege often perpetuates itself, while the underprivileged remain stuck without bold, structural change.
One of the organisers of the event, Kananelo Boloetse, stated that the discussion was inspired by social media debates questioning why Lesotho continues to celebrate milestones like the Bicentennial while still depending on donations, such as food aid, proving the country’s inability to feed its people.
Boloetse further clarified that today’s conversation was not simply a reaction to foreign critiques, but part of a long-standing, necessary discussion for the country’s future. A key outcome of the event was a proposal to launch district-wide dialogues starting in June. Insights from these discussions will be compiled into a vision document (Independence Charter) with objectives and strategies to be submitted to government and used as a possible strategic planning framework, also necessary for universities and youth programs.
Participants reflected critically on previous national plans such as Vision 2020 and the National Strategic Development Plan (NSDP), citing lack of accountability and follow-through. There was a collective call for young people to take ownership of this new effort, grounded in Section 20 of Lesotho’s Constitution, which guarantees citizens the right to participate in governance.
“The future belongs to us, and it’s time we shape it ourselves,” one participant concluded.
