Princess Senate Seeiso’s Inspiring Journey as UNDP Lesotho’s First National Goodwill Ambassador

Her Royal Highness Princess Senate Mohato Seeiso has taken on a new role aimed at promoting equality and sustainable development across Lesotho as the country’s first UNDP National Goodwill Ambassador. The appointment marks an important step in strengthening public engagement around the work of the United Nations Development Programme in communities across the country. Over the past several months, Princess Senate has been introduced to a wide range of UNDP initiatives, giving her an opportunity to see how development programmes are changing lives beyond Maseru. Her journey has taken her from the capital to communities in Leribe, where she met people whose work demonstrates the importance of innovation, determination and community participation. Through this experience, she has gained a deeper understanding of how partnerships can help build a future in which no one is left behind.

Before becoming involved with UNDP Lesotho, Princess Senate said her understanding of the organisation was mainly connected to national development and governance initiatives. Her experience working alongside UNDP has since expanded that understanding considerably. She discovered that the organisation is involved in a broad range of initiatives covering sustainable development, environmental protection, climate change and youth-focused programmes. This wider exposure allowed her to see how development work reaches different groups and communities across Lesotho. It also gave her an opportunity to engage directly with people whose ideas and efforts contribute to addressing challenges within their communities.

Princess Senate, who is 24 years old, described the opportunity to work with UNDP as both educational and inspirational. One of the areas that stood out to her was the organisation’s work with young people and the effort to create spaces where young minds can contribute ideas and participate in development. She highlighted the intelligence and creativity she encountered among the young people involved in UNDP-supported initiatives. For her, seeing these individuals develop innovative solutions provided a different perspective on the potential that exists within Lesotho’s communities. Her observations reinforce the importance of giving young people opportunities to learn, participate and contribute to national development.

Her journey also introduced her to individuals whose personal commitment to community development left a strong impression. Among them was Sister Julia, whose beekeeping work demonstrated how environmental responsibility and sustainable livelihoods can be connected. Princess Senate described Sister Julia’s work as inspiring, particularly because of the passion, dedication and selflessness involved. Beekeeping can contribute to sustainable development while also highlighting the important role bees play within ecosystems and the environment. Through this experience, Princess Senate was able to see how an individual initiative can connect environmental conservation with economic activity and community development.

The visit also allowed Princess Senate to meet Mme Matsepiso, whose business journey demonstrated the potential impact of training, funding and knowledge development. She described Mme Matsepiso as a kind woman whose business idea and determination were particularly inspiring. UNDP support helped her access training and develop knowledge that could strengthen the way she manages and grows her business. Funding also provided additional support for the development of her enterprise, showing how targeted assistance can help entrepreneurs turn ideas into sustainable economic activities. Princess Senate’s experience highlighted the importance of giving entrepreneurs access to the resources and skills they need to build stronger businesses.

The experiences in rural communities were especially significant for Princess Senate because they demonstrated the importance of ensuring that development programmes reach people outside the capital. She spoke about being inspired by UNDP’s work with women in rural areas and communities that may otherwise feel overlooked or difficult to reach. These communities are home to women with valuable knowledge, skills, intelligence and ideas that can contribute to local and national development. Bringing development opportunities to these areas can help reduce barriers to participation while creating pathways for women to strengthen their livelihoods. Princess Senate’s observations point to the importance of inclusive development that recognises the potential of people regardless of where they live.

Her appointment as National Goodwill Ambassador also provides an opportunity to bring greater attention to the work taking place at community level. As she continues her role, Princess Senate is expected to engage with communities, partners and young people across Lesotho. Her firsthand experience with UNDP-supported initiatives gives her a foundation from which to speak about the organisation’s work and the people contributing to development across the country. Her role can also help create greater awareness of issues related to equality, sustainability, environmental protection and youth participation. By sharing the stories of people she meets, she can help demonstrate how development initiatives connect with everyday lives.

The documentation of Princess Senate’s journey reflects UNDP Lesotho’s effort to show the human side of development work. Rather than focusing only on programmes and institutional activities, the journey captures the people behind those initiatives and the communities benefiting from them. Her visits provide a closer look at the experiences of entrepreneurs, environmental advocates, young people and women working to improve their circumstances. These encounters also show that sustainable development depends on local participation and the willingness of individuals to develop solutions suited to their communities. The stories gathered during her journey can help audiences better understand how partnerships between communities and development organisations can contribute to lasting change.

Princess Senate’s role as UNDP National Goodwill Ambassador for Equality and Sustainable Development in Lesotho comes with an opportunity to connect national development priorities with the experiences of ordinary people. Her journey has already exposed her to initiatives that demonstrate the value of innovation, environmental awareness, entrepreneurship and community participation. She has also gained a greater appreciation of the work being done in areas beyond Maseru, particularly among women and young people. Her enthusiasm for continuing the journey reflects her commitment to learning from communities and sharing their experiences with a wider audience. As she begins this new chapter, her engagement can help promote greater awareness of the importance of inclusive and sustainable development across Lesotho.

The appointment of Princess Senate Mohato Seeiso as UNDP Lesotho’s first National Goodwill Ambassador represents a significant opportunity to strengthen engagement around equality and sustainable development. Her experiences with communities, entrepreneurs, environmental initiatives and young people have given her a broader understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the country. Her role will allow her to continue meeting communities, partners and young people while highlighting innovative work taking place across Lesotho. The journey also reinforces the message that sustainable development requires people to participate, contribute ideas and work together to create lasting solutions. As Princess Senate continues her work, she is set to bring attention to the people and initiatives helping to shape a more inclusive, sustainable future for Lesotho.