A memorial service in honour of the late first woman cabinet minister in Lesotho, Mrs. ‘Matlelima Hlalele was held in Maseru on Wednesday.

Mrs. Hlalele aged 94 met her death a few days ago at a local hospital due to stroke and diabetes. She will be laid to rest on Friday.

Speaker after speaker hailed her as a gentle character, intelligent, loving and giving person who did all she could to promote the quality of nutritional status among Basotho as well as empowering women while patriotically serving Lesotho in those years.

Delivering condolences on behalf of neighbours, Mr. Tlohang Sekhamane who is also Speaker of the National Assembly said though death is painful the Hlalele family should celebrate a well lived life.

He said in 1986 when the late King Moshoeshoe ll appointed his Cabinet, giant minds were appointed and of those, only one was a woman, Mrs. Hlalele hence the family and all wear pride today.

The fact that she died at this age is an indication that all are wonderfully and fearfully made, an indication that there is hope in those who trust the Lord this is according to Mr. Sekhamane.

On behalf of family friends, former Finance Minister, Dr Timothy Thahane said he had known the deceased in the 1950’s, saying she helped him gain confidence through her teachings.

“Soft-spoken character, always willing to share and go extraordinary for other people, saying she related so well with her students at the then Basutoland High School,” he stressed.

The Lesotho Evangelical Church of Southern Africa (LECSA) Reverend Khethang Posholi said he was amazed by Nkhono Matlelima’s wisdom and faith, a gift and legacy she left for her children.

“You are yet to feel the loss and pain of losing both parents, hence faith must increase more,” the Reverend stressed.

On behalf of women organisations, Reverend Hazel Tsatsane appealed to the government to support initiatives meant to promote the rights of the aged.

Mrs. Hlalele was born and raised in Berea, she has been educated locally and internationally. She was an expert in issues of nutrition and home economics and is also a founder of SOS and various women associations in the country to mention but a few.

Hereunder are some of the notable awards and achievements attained by the deceased as established by the Agency: In 1984, King Moshoeshoe II awarded her, the Medal of Officer of the Most Meritorious Order of Mohlomi- for a distinguished career as a public servant, which stood out for the leading role she played in nutrition education and women’s organizations.

In 1992, His Majesty King Letsie III awarded her the Medal of Commander of the Most Loyal Order of Ramatséatsana- for her dedicated service to the betterment of Women and Youth in the country through inter alia, the establishment of the Thabana-li-‘Mele Training Centre for Women.

In 2001, King Letsie III also presented an award to her on behalf of the head of the International SOS Children’s Villages; the SOS Children’s Villages Order of Merit Certificate- for outstanding services to SOS, thus becoming the first recipient of such a certificate in Southern Africa.

She will be honoured with an official funeral this Friday at a service to be held at Maseru Club commencing at 08:00am.

Source: LENA 03/04/2024