Makatleho Khotle
IN a bid to usher in the new year and inspire hope among villagers in the Butha Buthe district, the Hololo Development Foundation (HDF) has donated food parcels to 420 elderly-headed households and individuals living with disabilities.
The joyous ceremony took place at the Hololo Khukhune Maduma Sports Ground on Saturday and marks the third consecutive year of the initiative, first launched in 2023.
The parcels, sourced from local agricultural groups in Hololo, included carrots, potatoes, eggs, and canned fruits, among other produce.
The event was further enlivened by the HDF Constituency Champions Cup, held alongside the gift-giving. The competition—designed to foster excellence, camaraderie, and community unity through sport—featured soccer and netball teams from constituencies; Mphosong No.7, Maama No.45, and Matelile No.54, who gave the host team, Hololo No.2, a spirited challenge.
In his opening remarks, master of ceremonies, Tsebo Mpheakhang, outlined HDF’s mission to support those unable to fend for themselves due to age or disability. He also highlighted that the “Champ of Champs” challenge runs alongside the gifting program, following the 2025 Hololo Winter Challenge held at Ha-Maama (Roma) in the Maseru district.
“Last year, the food parcels we distributed came from local schools,” Mpheakhang said.
“We did this intentionally to motivate the youth to immerse themselves in agribusiness as an alternative source of income.”
He further explained that HDF annually hosts a “Back to School” gifting ceremony, providing uniforms and stationery to students from disadvantaged families to ease their learning experience.
He said the upcoming Back to School, to be held next month, will coincide with the birthday of Hololo No.2 legislator and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations, Lejone Mpotjoane, who will on that day be honoured for initiating HDF and its philanthropic and community-building initiatives.
One community member, ‘Makamohelo Mphaka of the Thalaboliba Nutrition Club from Ha-Pataka village, expressed gratitude to HDF for guiding their agribusiness journey. She called on the organization to expand its initiatives nationwide to address the twin challenges of unemployment and hunger—issues recently highlighted as national disasters by government and His Majesty King III in his New Year’s address on 2 January 2026.
Local business owner, Tšeele Letšela, also offered a heartfelt vote of thanks. He revealed that, over the past three years, HDF has consistently purchased up to 60 bags of mealie-meal from his business at once for distribution to elderly residents of Khukhune, Maele, and Bokomo villages.
“It used to pain us to see trucks bringing supplies from Maseru when we had the capacity to supply locally,” he said, praising Minister Mpotjoane for changing this dynamic.
Government representatives at the event included Minister of Gender, Youth and Social Development, Pitso Lesaoana, and Mphosong legislator ‘Mamokete Ntšekhe. Both lauded Mr Mpotjoane for setting a precedent in community service that they aim to emulate in their constituencies.
In his keynote speech, Mr Mpotjoane underscored that Lesotho’s economic challenges stem largely from low domestic food production.
“High production will stimulate local consumption and create opportunities for export, boosting our economy,” Mr Mpotjoane said.
He emphasized teamwork, noting that collective effort amplifies results, and urged food parcel recipients to share with neighbours not chosen in this round as an expression of love and compassion.
Looking ahead, Minister Mpotjoane announced plans to establish a Market Aggregation Centre in Hololo to manage growing agricultural production, improve market standards, and facilitate trade circulation.
The day concluded with the prize-giving for the soccer tournament, with Minister Mpotjoane awarding Hololo FC M5000, Maama FC M4000, Matelile FC M3000, and Maluti FC M2000 to promote youth empowerment, discipline, and teamwork.
Hololo Development Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to mobilizing initiatives that enhance the livelihoods and living standards of communities in Hololo and beyond.
