Mosepele Foundation Development Forum

HIV and TB Sustainability Roadmap Part B Co-Creation Workshop
Date: 2-3 June 2026
Report by: Matseliso Mokitimi

The sustainability of the HIV and TB response has become a national priority in Lesotho, particularly following the development of the HIV and TB Sustainability Roadmap in 2024. The Roadmap seeks to ensure that the country's HIV and TB programmes remain effective, resilient, and increasingly domestically owned in the face of changing donor landscapes and evolving public health needs. Part B of the Sustainability Roadmap focused on translating strategic priorities into practical, costed implementation actions through a collaborative co-creation process involving government, development partners, civil society organisations, implementing partners, and community representatives.

MFDF as a youth-led and youth-serving civil society organisation actively involved in the HIV response among young people, participated in the workshop through its Chief Programmes Officer, Ms. Matseliso Mokitimi. She contributed an important youth perspective by advocating for strengthened community systems, investment in youth-friendly HIV, TB and SRHR services, and greater inclusion of grassroots civil society organisations in sustainability planning.

The HIV & TB Sustainability Roadmap Part B Co-Creation Workshop aimed to validate the reprioritised High-Level Outcomes (HLOs) across thematic areas and collaboratively develop implementation activities, sequencing, costing assumptions, and a validation pathway for the revised Roadmap. Participants reviewed and refined priority outcomes, identified key implementation actions, addressed overlaps and dependencies, and agreed on resource requirements and next steps for the revised implementation and cost workplans.

The workshop concluded with validated HLOs, a consolidated implementation framework, agreed activity sequencing and costing assumptions, and a clear validation pathway...

READY4CHANGE EMPLOYABILITY TRAINING

Date: 16 May 2026
Location: UNESCO HALL
Report by Mapatsi Sekoai

MFDF AGYW Lead: Mapatsi Thato Sekoai honoured an invitation to attend the Ready4Change Employability Training hosted by Alleviate, Maleah Foundation, Leaders of Change Initiative, and Mercy Children’s Bible Ministries. The event was held at UNESCO Hall in Maseru, Lesotho. The training was organized to recognize and empower individuals, especially AGYW leaders and volunteers, who continue to dedicate themselves to humanitarian and volunteer work within their communities.

The programme focused on the importance of volunteerism, humanitarian work, communication skills, and youth empowerment. It encouraged young people to embrace opportunities that help them grow personally and professionally while making a meaningful impact in society.
Young people were encouraged to always take advantage of volunteering opportunities because they provide experience, growth, leadership skills, and opportunities to serve others.

At the end of the training, certificates were awarded to participants in recognition of their attendance, dedication, and commitment to volunteerism and humanitarian work. The certificates served as encouragement to continue participating in community initiatives and personal development opportunities. The recognition also motivated participants to remain active change-makers and continue using the knowledge and skills gained during the training to positively impact their communities.

The Ready4Change Employability Training was informative, motivational, and empowering participants including Ms Sekoai, to become active change-makers who are committed to serving their communities with dedication, professionalism, and compassion.

Digital Safety Training

Date: 22 May 2026
Venue: Good Night Lodge
By: Rorisang Makoae

MFDF AGYW-Leads: Mapatsi Sekoai and Rorisang Makoae attended Digital Safety Training held at Good Night Lodge, facilitated by Safe Sisters Digital Safety. The training brought together young women leaders and advocates with the aim of strengthening digital resilience and equipping participants with practical strategies to navigate increasing risks in online spaces, particularly those affecting women and girls.

The training adopted a gender-responsive, trauma-aware, and participatory approach, recognising that digital spaces often mirror existing societal inequalities. It focused on both technical and behavioural aspects of digital security, including protection against Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) such as cyberstalking, doxxing, impersonation, account takeovers, non-consensual image sharing, and emerging threats like AI-generated deepfakes. Participants were also introduced to essential digital safety practices such as strong password management, use of password managers, Two-Factor Authentication (2FA), secure communication platforms like Signal, and safe device and account hygiene.

In addition to technical skills, the training emphasised psychosocial safety, peer support systems, and participatory threat modelling. Participants were encouraged to assess risks by identifying what needs protection, from whom, and the likelihood of harm, reinforcing the idea that digital safety is both an individual and collective responsibility. The session also highlighted the emotional and psychological impact of online violence, especially for women in leadership and public spaces, and stressed the importance of supportive networks to address trauma and sustain safe digital behaviour change.

The participation of AGYW Leads, Mapatsi Sekoai and Rorisang Makoae, was particularly important as it strengthened youth leadership in digital safety advocacy...

CIVIC AND VOTER EDUCATION STRATEGY VALIDATION MEETING
Date: 6 May 2026
Venue: Victory Hall
Report by: Rorisang Makoae
The validation meeting for the Civic and Voter Education Strategy was convened by International IDEA in partnership with Independent Electoral Commission and Lesotho Council of NGOs under the EU-funded Inclusive Lesotho Programme. The meeting brought together stakeholders from civil society, government institutions, and community groups to review and validate the National Civic and Voter Education Strategy aimed at increasing citizen participation in democratic processes. MFDF participated in the meeting, represented by Rorisang Makoae. Her participation contributed to discussions on inclusive participation of adolescents, girls, andyoung people in democratic and governance processes.

The meeting highlighted concerns over the significant decline in voter turnout in Lesotho, which dropped to 37% during the 2022 elections. The strategy therefore seeks to rebuild public trust and encourage active citizen participation, with an ambitious target of increasing voter turnout to 95%. Discussions focused on strengthening civic awareness and addressing the factorscontributing to voter apathy. Participants emphasized the need for inclusive and accessible voter education approaches that respond to the realities faced by different communities across thecountry.

Key strategic pillars presented during the meeting included:
1. Analysing the causes of declining voter participation and developing effective civic education frameworks to re-engage citizens.
2. Ensuring targeted outreach to marginalized and underrepresented groups, including: Youth and herd boys, Persons with disabilities, LGBTIQ+ communities.

The validation meeting also emphasized the importance of inclusive communication methods, community engagement, and collaboration among stakeholders to ensure that civic and votereducation reaches all Basotho effectively.

LEGISLATIVE REFORM WORKSHOP ON HATE CRIMES IN LESOTHO

Date: 15–16 April 2026
By: Rorisang Makoae

Civil society leaders representing diverse and marginalised groups convened at Avani Lesotho on 15–16 April 2026 to deliberate on a joint campaign supporting the adoption of hate crimes legislation in Lesotho. The workshop was organised by the Human Dignity Trust in collaboration with The People’s Matrix and the Ministry of Justice. Mosepele Foundation participated as part of this important engagement.

The workshop focused on advancing legislative reform through the development of hate crime laws tailored to the Lesotho context. Its objectives included:
✔️Defining the legal parameters of hate crimes
✔️Identifying vulnerable groups requiring legal protection
✔️Developing a joint communications and advocacy campaign to support the enactment of hate crimes legislation.

Participants established a foundational understanding of a hate crime as a criminal act motivated by bias or prejudice against a particular group. Discussions explored which groups should be explicitly protected under the proposed legislation. These included LGBTQI+ persons, s*x workers, ex-offenders, women, and other marginalised communities.

The workshop also highlighted that the impact of hate crimes extends beyond the immediate victim. Survivors often experience profound emotional and psychological harm, while such incidents create fear and insecurity within the broader community, reinforcing exclusion and discrimination.

A key outcome of the workshop was the development of a joint campaign strategy aimed at mobilising support for hate crime legislation. Participants identified target stakeholders, key messaging, and advocacy approaches to influence policy and public opinion. The campaign seeks to build broad-based support across government, civil society, and community structures...

Mosepele Foundation Development Forum (MFDF) takes this moment to honour and reflect on the life, leadership, and legacy of our esteemed Programs Director and member of the Senior Management Team Mr Morephe Santi.

Santi served MFDF with exceptional dedication, vision, integrity, and played a key role in shaping the organisation’s strategic direction and strengthening its work in youth development, HIV response, and s*xual and reproductive health programming.
He was a mentor, a leader, and a connector—deeply committed to collaborations, empowerment, and building strong partnerships across youth-led organisations, national stakeholders, and development partners. His leadership extended beyond MFDF, leaving a lasting impact within the broader development and public health space.

We remember him for his passion, guidance, and unwavering commitment to meaningful change. His legacy continues to live on through the work he helped build and many lives he influenced.

As MFDF, we honour his contribution and hold deep gratitude for the time, wisdom, and leadership he shared with us.

MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE

HER Voice FundAUDA-NEPAD walk on harnessing Africa's Demographic Dividend through SRH begins in Zambia's Capital, Lusaka

Date: 8-10 April 2026
Report by Matseliso Mokitimi

At a defining moment in Africa’s development journey, the First Continental Conference for Non-State Actors on the Demographic Dividend and Reproductive Health—convened by African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) in Lusaka—brought together over 200 changemakers in a bold and action-oriented convening designed to move beyond dialogue into impact. The conference served as a strategic platform for governments, civil society, youth-led movements, and development partners to align efforts, share evidence, and co-create solutions that accelerate the realization of Africa’s demographic dividend, with a strong emphasis on advancing reproductive health and rights.

Among them was Mokitimi, Her Voice Fund Project Manager at MFDF and a youth representative, contributing to critical conversations shaping the future of reproductive health and gender equality across the continent.

Positioned at the intersection of advocacy and accountability, her participation highlighted the essential role of community-led monitoring in ensuring that policies and commitments translate into real, accessible services—especially for adolescent girls and young women (AGYW), who continue to face disproportionate barriers in s*xual and reproductive health.

Taking the stage as a Women’s Movements Representative, she emphasized a powerful reality:
Women-led and youth-led organizations are not just supporting systems—they are driving them. From grassroots advocacy to influencing national and continental frameworks, these movements are reshaping how health systems respond to the needs of communities. Yet, sustainable impact requires more than recognition—it demands investment, coordination, and accountability...

HER VOICE FUND

The CLM National Symposium
Venue: The Clan Guest House, Naleli, Maseru
Date: 27 March 2026
Report by: Mapatsi Thato Sekoai

MFDF Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) Leads participated in the Community-Led Monitoring (CLM) National Symposium hosted by Bacha Re Bacha, which implements the CLM programme in Lesotho. Community-Led Monitoring (CLM) is a participatory approach that empowers communities to actively monitor health services, promoting transparency, accountability, and responsiveness to community needs. The participation of MFDF AGYW Leads contributing to more informed and inclusive dialogue was critical and aligns with MFDF’s mandate to advocate for youth-friendly, available, and accessible health services for AGYW.

The meeting opened with remarks from a Ministry of Health (MOH) representative, Mme Letsie, who emphasized the importance of community participation and multi-stakeholder collaboration in strengthening the health system and improving service delivery.

Presentations and discussions during the symposium revealed that while health service availability is relatively high, key gaps remain. Accessibility to health centres continues to be a challenge for some communities, limiting service utilization. Continuous monitoring was identified as essential to maintaining and improving service quality. A major concern raised was that some health facilities do not provide birth control services to AGYW, restricting access to essential SRHR services.

Participants emphasized the need for strengthened advocacy to address disparities in access and service delivery. There was a strong call to ensure that all health facilities provide comprehensive, youth-friendly services and to reinforce the role of communities in monitoring services and holding providers accountable...

Youth Networking Pitso
Advancing Youth Economic Empowerment through Access to Finance for Inclusive and Sustainable Livelihoods

VENUE: Manthabiseng Convention Centre
DATE: 9 January 2026
REPORT BY: Teboho Makholela

The Youth Networking Pitso was convened under the Youth Power Hub initiative by the European Union (EU), UNICEF Lesotho and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to promote youth economic empowerment through improved access to finance in Lesotho. The event provided a national platform for dialogue between young people, government institutions, financial service providers, development partners, and the private sector.
The Pitso aimed to examine barriers and opportunities related to youth access to finance, amplify youth voices, and promote inclusive and innovative financial solutions that support youth entrepreneurship and employment. Particular attention was given to adolescent girls and young women, youth with disabilities, migrants, rural youth, and youth in the diaspora. The event also showcased sustainable livelihood models, including climate-smart, digital, and informal-sector initiatives, and promoted collaboration and accountability

Following opening remarks by UNICEF, IOM, and the EU, a Youth Panel shared lived experiences of accessing finance for business start-ups and growth. Panelists included young entrepreneurs from garment production, vegetable farming in Butha-Buthe, and Mamello School of specialists center.

Panelists highlighted persistent challenges, including stringent collateral requirements, limited start-up capital, lack of youth-specific financial products, and business registration barriers—particularly for rural and informal entrepreneurs. While funding initiatives such as SADP/SAGP were acknowledged, matching contribution requirements were noted as a challenge for youth with limited resources...