The Lesotho Defence Force honoured 16 fallen members at its annual Remembrance Day service, with tributes, prayers and the laying of wreaths at Khutsong Military Cemetery.
THE Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) gathered at Khutsong Military Cemetery, Ratjomose Barracks, today to remember soldiers who died while serving the nation.
The annual Remembrance Day prayer service was attended by senior government officials, military leadership and families of the fallen soldiers. The ceremony included prayers, tributes and the laying of wreaths for servicemen and women who died in the line of duty.
Speaking for the Ministry of Defence, Permanent Secretary Mpopo Ts’oele said it is the nation’s duty to remember its heroes.
“A country that forgets those who served and died for it risks losing its moral foundation.”
Mpopo Ts’oele, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence
Ts’oele commended the LDF for its role in keeping peace and stability in Lesotho. He said the government would support the force with the equipment, food and uniforms it needs, and called for closer cooperation between military leadership and government structures to strengthen the institution and help the public understand its work.
The LDF Commander, Lieutenant General Mojalefa Letsoela, said Remembrance Day is a time to reflect on the lives of soldiers who died in service. This year the force is honouring 16 members. Letsoela said their sacrifice shows the courage of all LDF personnel who have lost their lives on duty.
He spoke about the 1998 Katse incident as one of the painful chapters in the force’s history. “Events like September 22, 1998 remain part of our collective memory. They remind us why unity, discipline and service must always come first,” he said.
Letsoela said the LDF once marked Army Day on June 30 with public displays, parades, sports and open days at Setsoto Stadium. Those events were later stopped, he said, and the focus shifted to solemn commemorations for fallen soldiers.
“The sacrifices of our fallen members are engraved in the memory of this institution and of the nation,” Letsoela said. “Peace and stability do not come by chance. They require continuous commitment and vigilance.”
The Chief of Staff, Major General Ramanka Mokaloba, said the force has protected Lesotho and supported national development and regional cooperation. He recalled how the LDF assisted other defence forces in the region in its early years, and pointed to periods of political instability, including the events of 1998, as reasons to strengthen national security systems and give the military adequate support.
Speaking for the families of the fallen soldiers, Sekhoane Motseki thanked the force for including them in the commemorations each year. “We appreciate that our loved ones are remembered and honoured,” he said. “It means a lot to the families to know that their sacrifice is recognized by the nation.”
The LDF observes Remembrance Day and Army Day every year on June 30, to honour soldiers who died in service and to reflect on the history of the force. The service ended with prayers, a moment of silence and the laying of wreaths at the graves at Khutsong Military Cemetery.
