Katleho Mohanoe
The premiere gala event known as the Quthing Gala Dinner took center stage last Saturday at Hill’s View Hall in Quthing, drawing over 200 guests for an unforgettable evening of fine dining, entertainment, and fundraising for a worthy cause.
The event attracted luminaries from various fields, including Prime Minister Samuel Ntsokoane Matekane, representatives from the American Embassy, Korean dignitaries, and many more distinguished guests.
Organised by the Women in Business Quthing in collaboration with event organisers from Maseru and the District Administrator’s office, the gala aimed to give back to the community and support local initiatives.
The Minister of Agriculture, Food Security, and Nutrition, Thabo Mofosi, addressing the assembly of government officials, diplomats, and prominent business figures, expressed confidence that the event would leave a lasting impact on the district.
Mofosi acknowledged the challenges Quthing has faced over the years, stating: “But today, we are blessed with the presence of our Prime Minister. I am confident that by working together, we can drive development and transform our country.”
He further praised Prime Minister Matekane, adding: “Your words show us that nothing is impossible. May the Lord bless and protect our Prime Minister, allowing him to achieve his vision of transforming our nation. I wish him a long life, and I hope this evening marks the beginning of great things to come across Lesotho.”
Deputy Prime Minister, Justice Nthomeng Majara, expressed her deep gratitude, stating: “Ntate Mofosi, your team, and all those involved, we are immensely grateful for this remarkable achievement.
“As mentioned earlier, the journey was not an easy one, but today is not a day for sorrow—today is a day of joy and celebration. You all should be proud of what has been accomplished. The community and all our partners have done a fantastic job in putting Quthing on the map.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if, in the future, Quthing becomes a prominent tourism hub.”
Justice Majara also acknowledged the collective effort, saying: “I am thankful that we have come to the understanding that the government cannot provide jobs for everyone. It’s time for us to rise, embrace our God-given talents, nurture them, and create our own livelihoods.”
She concluded with a call for others to follow Quthing’s example: “Other districts should take inspiration from what the people of Quthing have done. We must work to develop our districts, create jobs, promote our products, and cultivate talent.”
Delivering a key address, Prime Minister Samuel Ntsokoane Matekane said: “Today, we celebrate the self-denial, self-sacrifice, hard work, and self-reliance demonstrated by the people of Quthing.
“I am convinced that Quthing is a beautiful district that has great potential as a tourism destination, as evidenced by the outstanding presentation showcasing the various tourist attractions here.
“We’ve heard that this initiative was started by three women, and later a man joined their efforts. We thank them for their dedication. The organisers should be incredibly proud of what they have achieved—they’ve done a wonderful job.
“As the government, we are fully committed to supporting the organizers and the people of Quthing. We are here to ensure that your dreams become a reality.
“The youth are in dire need of jobs. This is the harsh reality. There is a scarcity of jobs, and this is a challenge faced by the whole world—we are not an exception. We will do everything in our power as a government to address this issue and tackle unemployment. It won’t happen overnight, but we are on the right track, and we shall overcome!
“Next year, as part of the government’s plans, the road from Mohales’hoek to Quthing will begin construction.”
The Prime Minister also pledged to continue the important work of building roads and bridges across the country, ensuring that tourism sites are preserved. He called for collaboration to safeguard economic growth and development in Lesotho.
Limakatso Mosenene, a member of Women in Business Quthing and one of the event organisers, said: “This is the first gala dinner of this kind and magnitude in the whole district of Quthing.
“The event brought together a distinguished group of guests to foster meaningful connections and celebrate a worthy cause. A massive thank you to everyone who attended and supported the event, including the Prime Minister, distinguished ministers, members of parliament, the American Embassy, and all those who made wonderful contributions.
“Young entrepreneurs across the district will benefit from this initiative. The funds raised will support existing businesses and enable new ventures to be established by those with sound proposals.”
