…as company leadership reassures stakeholders and charts a path to renewal
Mohloai Mpesi
NALEDI Funeral Planners has moved to reassure policyholders, employees, business partners and the wider public that the company remains stable and firmly focused on the future, despite months of internal governance challenges.
Company founder and board chairperson, Thabiso Madiba, says Naledi is entering a new chapter centred on restoring confidence, strengthening operations and rebuilding the culture that helped transform the business into one of Lesotho’s leading funeral services providers.
Addressing members of the media earlier this week at Naledi’s offices in Thatsane Office Park in Maseru, Mr Madiba described the briefing as an opportunity to communicate directly with stakeholders and reaffirm the company’s long-term vision.
Rebuilding the brand
The briefing follows months of internal turmoil that erupted after Naledi Funeral Planners’ Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on 16 January 2026, during which shareholders voted to reconstitute the board and reinstate Mr Madiba as chairman, replacing Malefetsane Tlelima and four other board members.
The shareholders — Thabiso Madiba (45.152%), Sidwell Jackson (12.523%), Khojane Madiba (1.243%), Mohau Linake (13.876%), and Retšepile Linake (1.248%), together with proxies Advocates Tembo Lesupi and Mokhacho Kao — resolved to dissolve the existing board and install a new leadership structure.
Dissatisfied with the outcome, Mr Tlelima approached the High Court seeking to nullify the AGM resolutions under case number CCA/0010/2026. The matter remains pending before the courts.
The standoff escalated in the months that followed. On 4 June 2026, the new board suspended Chief Executive Officer, Mosuoe Mabote, and Company Secretary and Head of Legal, Advocate Peter Matekane, citing alleged failure to attend board meetings, refusal to submit reports, and advising management to disregard board directives pending the court outcome. The board also appointed shareholder, Tšolo Seutloali, as Acting Managing Director to stabilise the company’s operations.
With no interim court order restraining him, Mr Madiba proceeded to assume his role as chairman, arguing that the governance vacuum had left the company rudderless and its services in decline.
Speaking at the press conference, Mr Madiba acknowledged that the developments had created uncertainty and affected operations but stressed that the company is now firmly focused on recovery and renewal.
“We recognised the concerns raised by our clients and stakeholders and felt it was important to speak directly to them,” Mr Madiba said.
“Our collective objective remains clear — to see Naledi Funeral Planners move forward, continue serving Basotho and emerge stronger from this period.”
Founded in 2013, Naledi Funeral Planners has grown into one of Lesotho’s largest funeral services institutions, operating 25 branches nationwide.
Reclaiming Naledi’s glory
Mr Madiba said the board’s immediate priority is to restore service excellence and reposition Naledi as an industry leader.
He reflected on the company’s earlier years, when Naledi earned recognition for its customer-centred approach and commitment to quality.
“We want to return Naledi to its strongest years — a company known for excellence, innovation and outstanding service to Basotho families.”
He acknowledged that increased competition and operational disruptions had created opportunities for others in the market, but said Naledi remains well-positioned to reclaim its leadership position.
“It is evident that companies which used to trail behind us in service provision have now surpassed us. However, we still have more employees than other companies, but our employees are complaining and are fearful because our services are no longer what they used to be,” he said.
“Our ambition is not simply to recover. It is to grow stronger and build an institution that employees are proud to serve and customers are proud to trust.”
A central pillar of Naledi’s renewal strategy is rebuilding employee engagement and strengthening workplace culture.
Mr Madiba said the company has already begun direct engagement with staff to understand operational challenges and identify solutions that support improved service delivery.
He also said the company had developed a strategic plan aimed at turning things around, with its centrepiece being the rebuilding of unity and a sense of family among staff — values he said were present when he founded the company.
“I founded Naledi Funeral Planners alone in 2013 in my house while unemployed. When the company was growing, I created unity among the employees so that they would be like a family, and I their father.
“We have since learned that unity no longer exists. Employees come to work only to collect salaries, not because it is a place where they feel love and happiness. That warmth was there four years ago, and it ended there,” he said.
Stability, continuity and a renewed vision
Newly appointed acting Managing Director, Tšolo Seutloali, also used the occasion to reassure clients that Naledi continues to operate normally and remains committed to honouring its obligations.
“There have been challenges, but Naledi remains stable, operational and focused on serving customers with respect, integrity and professionalism,” Mr Seutloali said.
He assured policyholders that claims processing continues, premiums are being received, and employees remain supported to ensure uninterrupted service delivery.
“Our vision remains unchanged — to be the most preferred deathcare and funeral services provider.”
“Our mission is equally clear: to provide products and services that help families celebrate the lives of their loved ones with dignity, compassion and excellence.”
Mr Seutloali said Naledi would continue to anchor its operations on values including respect, responsiveness, reliability, professionalism, dignity, empathy, integrity and honesty.
“These values are not statements on paper. They guide every decision we make and shape the experience we deliver to every family we serve.”
He added that strong institutions are not defined by the absence of challenges, but by their ability to adapt and emerge stronger.
“At Naledi Funeral Planners, we are choosing resilience over uncertainty, progress over stagnation and unity over division.”
“To our employees, policyholders, business partners, regulators and the nation at large — Naledi remains committed, focused and here to stay.”
