AGP Executive Report

Ugandan Royal News: King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, once recognised as the world’s youngest reigning monarch after ascending at age three, has died at 34 while receiving treatment in the United States. Lesotho Court Update: A High Court judge ordered the arrest of Teboho Tšolo, accused in the murder case of former Bantu FC official Panyane Phiri, after he failed to appear in court, with the judge citing contempt. Football Business: The Lesotho Football Association has partnered with Radisol Global Investments to develop football’s commercial revenue streams, while stressing LeFA will keep governing control. Sports Spotlight: Ethiopian Addisu Gobena broke the Sydney Marathon course record to win in 2:04:42, with Lesotho’s Tebello Ramakongoana taking third; Kenya’s Peres Jepchirchir won the women’s race. Media & Culture: Lesotho’s information minister warned that broadcasters are losing credibility by copying social media without verification, urging accuracy and responsibility. Arts & Lifestyle: The Lesotho Wine Festival returns for its 13th edition in Maseru on 10 October, promising live acts, crafts, and a curated food-and-wine experience.

LeFA x Radisol: The Lesotho Football Association has partnered with South African firm Radisol Global Investments to build new commercial revenue streams and attract investment, while stressing LeFA will keep control of football governance. Sydney Marathon spotlight: Ethiopian Addisu Gobena smashed the Sydney Marathon course record in 2:04:42, with Lesotho’s Tebello Ramakongoana taking third; Kenya’s Peres Jepchirchir won the women’s race in 2:18:31. Maseru court drama: A High Court ordered the arrest of Teboho Tšolo, accused in the murder case of former Bantu FC official Panyane Phiri, after he failed to appear in court. Media credibility warning: Lesotho’s Information Minister Nthati Moorosi urged radio broadcasters to stop copy-pasting social media and focus on verified, in-depth reporting. Culture & heritage: A feature highlights Ha Kome Cave Dwellings in Berea as a living historical refuge, linking the past to today’s community. Arts & music: Choral music is being promoted for discipline and responsibility ahead of inter-district competitions in Mohale’s Hoek.

Lesotho at the border: A Maseru Port of Entry warrant officer (47) was arrested for alleged corruption and extortion after a traveller was reportedly threatened over money laundering unless R10,000 was paid, with R71,000 found in the bag; the case is headed for investigation and court. Football business: The Lesotho Football Association (LeFA) and Radisol Global Investments announced a strategic partnership to commercialise and professionalise Lesotho football, focusing on sponsorships, investment and revenue across the football ecosystem. Media credibility: Lesotho’s Information Minister Nthati Moorosi warned that broadcasters are losing credibility by copying social media without verification, urging graduates to prioritise accuracy and public duty. Culture & heritage: A feature spotlights Ha Kome (Kome Cave Dwellings) in Berea as a living history site shaped by refuge during the Lifaqane era. Arts & music: Elemotho Mosimane is set for a homecoming show at Namibia’s National Theatre, promising a more intimate, message-led performance. Choral discipline: Berea conductor Samuel Motšoeli says choirs build responsibility, focus and healthy habits ahead of inter-district music competitions in Mohale’s Hoek. Independence-era advocacy: Princess Senate Mohato Seeiso was unveiled as UNDP National Goodwill Ambassador for Equality and Sustainable Development.

Football on TV: DAZN has secured rights to broadcast LaLiga EA SPORTS across Sub-Saharan Africa for three seasons (2026/27 to 2028/29), with all 380 matches per season available live and on-demand in 48 markets, plus English and Spanish commentary. Lesotho Media Integrity: Information Minister Nthati Moorosi warned that Lesotho’s media is losing credibility as journalists chase social media trends and copy-paste without proper depth or verification, urging broadcasters to keep their public duty front and centre. Local Arts & Culture: Princess Senate Mohato Seeiso was unveiled as UNDP National Goodwill Ambassador for Equality and Sustainable Development, linking her advocacy for children and girls to broader equality, sustainability, and Basotho cultural identity. Music & Performance: Elemotho Mosimane is set for a homecoming show at Namibia’s National Theatre after four years away, promising a more intimate, message-led set with acoustic focus. Court & Community: A High Court case continues over an alleged deadly shooting after a mediation meeting in Maseru, with the defence arguing self-defence. Heritage Spotlight: A feature highlights Ha Kome (Kome Cave Dwellings) in Berea as a living history site shaped by refuge during the Lifaqane. Sports Development: LeFA and Radisol Global Investments announced a strategic partnership to commercialise and professionalise football in Lesotho. Border Corruption: A warrant officer at Maseru Port of Entry was arrested for alleged corruption and extortion after a traveller was allegedly threatened over money laundering.

Sports & Youth: Bulawayo is rolling out the red carpet for the Cossasa Games, with hundreds of Southern Africa’s school athletes expected to arrive ahead of the Aug 31–Sep 2 action in athletics, football, netball and volleyball. Music & Culture: Elemotho Mosimane is finally coming home for a Saturday show at Namibia’s National Theatre, promising a more intimate, message-led set with acoustic focus. Choral Arts: Berea conductor Samuel Motšoeli says choirs build discipline and responsibility, urging school choirs heading to Mohale’s Hoek inter-district competitions (Sep 2–5) to protect children’s wellbeing and keep teachers as role models. Development & Representation: Princess Senate Mohato Seeiso has been unveiled as UNDP National Goodwill Ambassador for Equality and Sustainable Development, linking her child-rights advocacy to Lesotho’s 60th Independence push. Football Business: Lesotho Football Association and Radisol Global Investments announce a strategic partnership to professionalise and commercialise the sport, aiming for sustainable opportunities across the football ecosystem. Media Integrity: Lesotho’s Information Minister Nthati Moorosi warns that broadcasters are losing credibility by copying social media without depth or verification, calling for accuracy and public duty. Arts Calendar: Lesotho Wine Festival returns for its 13th edition in Maseru on Oct 10, with curated tastings, food concepts and live creative acts.

Border Corruption: A Maseru Port of Entry warrant officer (47) was arrested for alleged corruption and extortion after a traveller was reportedly threatened with arrest unless R10,000 was paid, with the case now heading to the Free State Anti-Corruption Unit. Cultural Heritage: A new feature takes readers inside Lesotho’s 200-year-old Kome Cave Dwellings in Berea, tracing how the Lifaqane-era community turned sandstone shelter into living history. Royal & Development Spotlight: Princess Senate Mohato Seeiso was unveiled as a UNDP National Goodwill Ambassador for Equality and Sustainable Development, linking her child-rights advocacy to Lesotho’s wider equality and sustainability agenda. Football Growth: LeFA and Radisol Global Investments announced a strategic partnership to professionalise and commercialise Lesotho football, aiming to unlock sponsorship and investment opportunities. Sports & Women’s Football: Lesotho Defence Force’s Lesotho involvement in the CAF Women’s Champions League-COSAFA qualifier continues, with ZESCO Ndola Girls beating LDF 1-0 to reach the semis. Music & Regional Reach: Zambian duo MeStar Ndalama and Deeletwin toured Southern Africa, including Maseru, and earned a slot at Malawi’s Lake of Stars Festival. Arts & Lifestyle: The Lesotho Wine Festival returns for its 13th edition in Maseru on 10 October, promising curated food, live acts, and artisan fashion and crafts.

Sports & Football Business: Lesotho Football Association (LeFA) has teamed up with Radisol Global Investments in a strategic partnership aimed at boosting football’s commercial growth and professional sustainability, with Radisol set to help drive sponsorships, investment opportunities and other revenue ideas while LeFA keeps its governing role. Royal Culture & Development: Princess Senate Mohato Seeiso was unveiled as UNDP National Goodwill Ambassador for Equality and Sustainable Development, expanding her public advocacy from children and girls’ rights to wider equality and sustainability work as Lesotho marks its 60th Independence anniversary. Arts & Lifestyle: The Lesotho Wine Festival returns for its 13th edition in Maseru on 10 October, promising a bigger guest experience with premium wine access, curated high-end food concepts, and live acts alongside Lesotho’s creative industries. Regional Sports Spotlight: Lesotho Defence Force’s women’s team is set to face ZESCO Ndola Girls in the CAF Women’s Champions League-COSAFA qualifier semi-final race after ZESCO edged past LDF 1-0, with Lesotho’s teams still chasing key points. Public Health & Planning: A district action plan to prepare for anticipated El Niño impacts is being developed in Leribe following a disaster-management workshop, as food insecurity concerns are expected to worsen.

Lesotho Football Association & Radisol Global Investments: LeFA has signed a strategic commercialisation and development partnership with Radisol Global Investments to boost football’s professionalisation and commercial sustainability, with Radisol supporting sponsorships, investment opportunities and revenue initiatives while LeFA keeps its governing mandate. Lesotho Sports Spotlight: Maluti Mountain Cement has come on board as official sponsor of the Lesotho International Basketball Tournament (Maseru, Sept 4–6), backing the event’s push to become an annual flagship. Women’s Football (COSAFA qualifier): Lesotho Defence Force’s campaign ended in the CAF Women’s Champions League-COSAFA qualifier after a 1-0 loss to ZESCO Ndola Girls, with Enelesi Phiri scoring just before half-time; ZESCO now sit atop Group A and face a decisive match for top spot. Arts & Entertainment (Maseru): Spring Jump Off returns for its fifth edition on Sept 5 at Manthabiseng Convention Centre, with headliners including Scotts Maphuma, Emtee and Lesotho acts like Ntate Stunna; tickets are M150 via Vodacom M-Pesa and Ticketbox. Local Culture & Lifestyle: The Lesotho Wine Festival returns for its 13th edition on Oct 10 in Maseru, promising curated food concepts, live acts, and a creative arts-and-textiles showcase alongside 240+ wines. Entrepreneurship & Creative Business: SABA hosted a spelling competition paired with business pitches for high school learners, while SATO continues to give local makers and designers a market and networking platform.

Lesotho Wine Festival: The 13th edition returns to Maseru on 10 October, promising 240+ wines from 45+ producers plus curated gastronomy and live acts, with Lesotho’s fashion, crafts and artisan creativity front and centre. Spring Jump Off: Maseru’s Manthabiseng Convention Centre hosts the fifth edition on 5 September, with a full-day picnic-style show headlined by South African stars like Scotts Maphuma, Emtee and Leemckrazy, and local acts including Ntate Stunna and Litshepe LR; tickets are M150 via M-Pesa and Ticketbox. Women’s empowerment through sport: ZESCO Ndola Girls booked a CAF Women’s Champions League-COSAFA semi-final spot after beating Lesotho Defence Force 1-0, while Lesotho’s Silver Ladies face a must-win to advance after losing 0-3 to Mamelodi Sundowns. Local business & creativity: SATO and SABA events are pushing entrepreneurship through product showcases and spelling-plus-business pitches, spotlighting young Basotho ideas in areas from fashion to health and waste solutions. Sports funding boost: Maluti Mountain Cement backs the Lesotho International Basketball Tournament with M100,000 for the 4–6 September Maseru event.

Lesotho Wine Festival: Maseru’s 13th Lesotho Wine Festival returns on 10 October, promising 240+ wines, curated high-end food concepts, and live acts alongside local fashion, arts and heritage textiles. Spring Jump Off: The fifth edition of Spring Jump Off hits Manthabiseng Convention Centre on 5 September with a full-day picnic-style lineup mixing big South African names and Lesotho acts; tickets are on Vodacom M-Pesa and Ticketbox. Women’s empowerment in focus: Lesotho’s FINITE Magazine Women Appreciation Awards is pushing beyond trophies into real economic empowerment, while IWPG Lesotho’s Plant Peace Project links women’s month commemoration to peace-building. Local entrepreneurship push: SABA hosted spelling plus business pitches for high school learners, and SATO continues giving traders a market to sell locally made products. Sports (regional): Lesotho Defence Force’s women’s team were edged 1-0 by ZESCO Ndola Girls in the CAF Women’s Champions League-COSAFA qualifier, while Silver Strikers Ladies face a must-win to reach the semis.

Entertainment Awards: Headies has released its nominees for the 18th ceremony in Toronto this October, with 218 nods across 35 categories. Music & Regional Culture: Zambian duo MeStar Ndalama and Deeletwin are touring Southern Africa, including performances in Maseru, and linking up with South African producers ahead of bigger festival slots. Lesotho Sports (Basketball): Maluti Mountain Cement has pledged M100,000 to sponsor the Lesotho International Basketball Tournament in Maseru (Sept 4–6). Lesotho Sports (Football): Lesotho Defence Force’s women’s team faces a tough run in the CAF Women’s Champions League-COSAFA qualifier, while ZESCO Ndola Girls and Silver Strikers Ladies push for semi-final spots. Arts & Community Events: Maseru’s Spring Jump Off returns to the Manthabiseng Convention Centre on Sept 5 with a full-day picnic-style lineup of South African and Lesotho acts; tickets are via Vodacom M-Pesa and Ticketbox. Entrepreneurship & Youth: SABA hosted a spelling competition plus business pitches for high school learners, spotlighting ideas in areas like fashion, design, health and waste management. Women’s Empowerment: FWAA says it’s moving beyond trophy ceremonies into a broader platform aimed at real economic empowerment for women.

Lesotho Basketball: Maluti Mountain Cement has signed on as official sponsor of the Lesotho International Basketball Tournament (Maseru, Sept 4–6), injecting M100,000 to help the event grow into a flagship on the local sporting calendar. Women’s Football (COSAFA): ZESCO Ndola Girls booked a CAF Women’s Champions League-COSAFA qualifier semi-final spot after beating Lesotho Defence Force 1-0, with Enelesi Phiri scoring just before half-time; the group’s top spot is set to be decided in a final match. Sports & Youth: Lesotho’s team returned from the Eswatini National Youth Games with 13 medals (7 gold, 4 silver, 2 bronze) across athletics, boxing, taekwondo and tennis. Entrepreneurship & Arts: SPELLING A Business Africa (SABA) brought together learners at Lesotho High School for spelling plus business pitches, with leaders urging youth to build solutions in areas like fashion, design and health. Music & Culture: Spring Jump Off (Sept 5, Manthabiseng Convention Centre) is set to bring major South African and Lesotho acts to a full-day picnic-style show, with tickets via M-Pesa and Ticketbox.

Spring Jump Off: Maseru’s Manthabiseng Convention Centre hosts the 5th edition on 5 September, with big SA names (Scotts Maphuma, Leemckrazy, Uncool MC, Emtee, Vetkuk vs Mahoota) plus Lesotho acts like Ntate Stunna and Litshepe LR; tickets are M150 via M-Pesa and Ticketbox. Women’s sport: Silver Strikers Ladies must win their last Group match to reach the CAF Women’s Champions League-COSAFA semis after a 0-3 loss to Mamelodi Sundowns; ZESCO Ndola Girls also booked a semi-final spot with a 1-0 win over Lesotho Defence Force. Local basketball: Maluti Mountain Cement injects M100,000 into the Lesotho International Basketball Tournament (4–6 September) in Maseru as official sponsor. Entrepreneurship & youth: SABA runs a spelling-and-business pitch day at Lesotho High School, while SATO gives local makers and beadwork entrepreneurs a market to sell and network. Community care: The “Help Nnete Heal” campaign issues a clarification on donation figures and reactivates fundraising for Mrs. ‘Makarabo Letsoela. Science wins: CambriLearn students win two golds and a silver at the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists.

CAF Women’s Champions League–COSAFA Qualifier: Silver Strikers Ladies must win their last group match to reach the semifinals after a 0-3 loss to Mamelodi Sundowns; they’re still in contention with tiebreak scenarios depending on results. CAF Qualifier Update: ZESCO Ndola Girls booked their semi-final spot with a 1-0 win over Lesotho Defence Force, setting up a decisive group clash with Gaborone United Ladies. Basketball: Maluti Mountain Cement injects M100,000 into the Lesotho International Basketball Tournament (Sept 4–6) in Maseru, aiming to make it a flagship annual event. Music & Nightlife: Maseru’s Spring Jump Off returns Sept 5 at Manthabiseng Convention Centre with big SA and Lesotho line-ups; tickets via M-Pesa and Ticketbox. Entrepreneurship & Arts: SATO and SABA events are giving young Basotho creators and learners a stage—spelling meets business pitches, while traders say local craft fairs help them reach wider markets. Community Care: “Help Nnete Heal” issues a correction on donation figures, and Boiketlo Ba Basali marks ‘Nete’s return with a thanksgiving Mass.

Spring Jump Off: Maseru’s Manthabiseng Convention Centre hosts the 5th edition of Spring Jump Off on Sept 5, with SA stars like Scotts Maphuma, Leemckrazy, Emtee and Vetkuk vs Mahoota, plus Lesotho acts including Ntate Stunna and Litshepe LR; tickets are M150 via M-Pesa (Vodacom) and Ticketbox. Basketball Spotlight: Maluti Mountain Cement backs the Lesotho International Basketball Tournament with a M100,000 sponsorship for the Sept 4–6 Maseru event, aiming to make it an annual flagship. CAF Women’s Football: ZESCO Ndola Girls reach the COSAFA semi-finals after Enelesi Phiri’s late goal beats Lesotho Defence Force 1-0, setting up a decisive group clash with Gaborone United Ladies. Local Sports Media: Silver Strikers Ladies open their CAF Women’s Champions League-COSAFA qualifier campaign in Botswana against Costa do Sol, with matches streamed on CAF TV, FIFA+ and COSAFA’s YouTube. Entrepreneurship & Youth: SABA runs a spelling competition paired with business pitches for learners at Lesotho High School, while SATO creates a market for local makers and beadwork entrepreneurs. Arts, Heritage & Skills: Commonwealth heritage specialists train on live restoration work at Wentworth Woodhouse, including repairs to historic stonework and a 1750s statue. Public Life & Debate: Former LCA licensing officer Thato Ponya alleges political interference cost him his contract renewal, while the “Help ‘Nete Heal” campaign clarifies donation figures after public confusion.

Basketball Spotlight: Maluti Mountain Cement has pledged M100,000 to sponsor the Lesotho International Basketball Tournament in Maseru (Sept 4–6), aiming to make the event an annual flagship and boost regional athlete development. Football (Women’s Champions League-COSAFA): ZESCO Ndola Girls edged Lesotho Defence Force 1-0 as Enelesi Phiri scored just before half-time, setting up a decisive group clash with Gaborone United Ladies for top spot. Football (Women’s Champions League-COSAFA): In Group B action, Mamelodi Sundowns crushed eSwatini’s Nsingizini Hotspurs 8-0, with Silver Strikers Ladies next to face Sundowns after beating Costa do Sol 2-1. Music & Live Entertainment: Maseru’s Spring Jump Off returns on Sept 5 at Manthabiseng Convention Centre with headliners including Scotts Maphuma, Emtee and Lesotho acts like Ntate Stunna; tickets are on Vodacom M-Pesa and Ticketbox. Business & Craft: SATO is giving local entrepreneurs a real marketplace to sell and network, from straw-hat makers to beadwork creators. Engineering & Infrastructure: CESA Aon Engineering Excellence Awards recognised Lesotho’s Polihali Major Bridges (Senqu Bridge) under Lesotho Highlands Water Project Phase 2. Community Care: The Help ‘Nete Heal campaign clarified that no M400,000 was received by Minister Nthati Moorosi or the campaign, correcting a previously mixed-up M1.3 million figure. Youth Learning: SPELLING A Business Africa (SABA) combined a national spelling contest with business pitches, pushing learners toward solutions in areas like fashion, design, health and waste management.