King Letsie III Calls Senators to Become Nutrition Champions Across Lesotho

His Majesty King Letsie III, in his capacity as the African Union Champion for Nutrition, has made a clarion call to Senators from across Lesotho to become nutrition champions within their respective districts. The call was made during an ongoing session with the College of Chiefs currently taking place at the historic Thaba-Bosiu.

The King’s address comes in alignment with the United Nations’ continued advocacy for improved nutrition as a critical component of sustainable development. With Lesotho facing challenges related to food insecurity, malnutrition, and poor health outcomes, the King emphasized the need for decisive action at both traditional and administrative levels.

“As leaders rooted in every corner of our nation, you have the power to influence lasting change,” King Letsie III told the assembly of Senators and chiefs. “Nutrition is not just about food. It is about building a healthier, stronger, and more resilient Lesotho.”

The King’s appeal is part of a broader effort to decentralize the nutrition agenda and embed it into community-level governance structures. By encouraging Senators to champion nutrition, His Majesty is mobilizing influential figures to spearhead initiatives that promote healthy eating, maternal and child health, sustainable agriculture, and food security.

The session at Thaba-Bosiu is expected to extend beyond speeches, with King Letsie III scheduled to engage Senators through a series of thematic discussions and practical sessions designed to ignite new thinking and empower leaders with knowledge and tools. These interactions will also explore partnerships with civil society and international development agencies to ensure sustainable implementation of nutrition-focused programmes.

This strategic move underscores King Letsie III’s enduring commitment to the health and well-being of his people. As Africa’s only reigning monarch with a specific international mandate on nutrition, he continues to leverage his position to spotlight the often-overlooked crisis of undernutrition in Africa and push for innovative, community-driven solutions.

The King’s ongoing efforts are anticipated to influence both policy and practice, reinforcing Lesotho’s commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 2: Zero Hunger and Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being.

As the session continues, attention will remain on how Senators respond to the King’s challenge, and how the momentum built at Thaba-Bosiu will translate into grassroots initiatives that nourish both the body and the spirit of the Basotho nation.