Lesotho Relaunches National Quality Awards to Promote Excellence and Competitiveness
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Business Development, through its Department of Quality, Metrology and Technical Regulation (DQMTR), has officially relaunched the National Quality Awards, marking a renewed commitment to raising standards and fostering a culture of continuous improvement across sectors.
Speaking during a recent media awareness workshop, the Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Lesotho Standards and Assurance, Mr Molebatsi Rabolinyane, emphasized that the competition goes beyond celebrating excellence. It is designed to boost competitiveness, enhance quality management practices, and promote sustainable growth in both the business and media sectors.
Mr Rabolinyane highlighted the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to support economic development and build public trust through effective regulation and industry support. “It is in this spirit that we relaunch the Quality Awards Competition — a prestigious programme that recognises and rewards organisations with excellent quality management practices,” he said.
The last edition of the National Quality Awards was held in 2017. According to Senior Public Relations Officer Ms Lihaelo Nkaota, the new round of the competition will begin in September 2025, with the award ceremony expected to take place between November and December 2025. While the exact date of the awards event is yet to be confirmed, she affirmed that preparations are well underway.
The competition will feature five categories, designed to accommodate both small and large enterprises. These include Product of the Year, Service of the Year, Company of the Year, Exporter of the Year, and Individual Contributor of the Year. The inclusion of diverse categories aims to encourage participation from a broad range of sectors and recognise innovation, resilience, and impact at all levels.
Winners of the national awards will represent Lesotho at the SADC Quality Awards in January 2026, providing them with a regional platform to showcase their achievements and benchmark their performance against leading organisations across Southern Africa.
The relaunch of the National Quality Awards is expected to stimulate local industry, encourage the adoption of international standards, and position Lesotho as a country that values quality and excellence. By shining a spotlight on businesses and individuals that excel in quality management, the programme also aligns with national goals for economic transformation and regional integration.
