Making Sesotho language fashionable

When Naomi Motebang and her husband began watching social media videos featuring language challenges, tongue twisters, and translation skits from around the world, they saw more than entertainment.

They saw an opportunity. “We thought to ourselves, wouldn’t it be funny if we did this skit in Sesotho?” Naomi recalls.

What started as a collection of amusing Sesotho words and phrases quickly evolved into one of Lesotho’s most engaging language-focused content platforms. Today, Naomi is among a growing generation of digital creators using social media not only to entertain but also to preserve culture, promote language, and connect people across borders.

Through TikTok and Facebook, she has built a loyal audience fascinated by the richness, complexity, and uniqueness of the Sesotho language.What surprised her most was how far that audience had spread.

“I was looking through my content reach after reading comments from people saying where they were watching from and realised I had viewers from across Africa, the UK, the United States and parts of Asia” Naomi said.

While she cannot pinpoint the exact moment she realised her content had become something bigger, the response confirmed that people were genuinely interested in learning about Sesotho.

For many Basotho viewers, Naomi believes her content sparks a sense of pride.

“I think for Basotho it makes them feel proud of our language and seeing other people take an interest in it.”

For international audiences, she attributes her success to accessibility.

“My videos are interactive and easy to follow because I include subtitles. I’ve realised some creators make content in Sesotho but don’t always provide a way for people who don’t understand the language to follow along.”

This simple decision has transformed her content from local entertainment into a cultural bridge connecting Lesotho to the world.

One of the aspects of Sesotho that fascinates Naomi most is the language’s complexity.She points to words such as noka, whose meaning changes depending on pronunciation despite having the same spelling.

“The markings on different alphabets help people know the pronunciation, especially for words that are written the same but pronounced differently.”

These linguistic nuances have become a recurring theme in her videos, which often challenge assumptions about language and reveal layers of meaning that even some native speakers may not fully appreciate.

Creating this content requires research, but Naomi admits she does not always rely on digital tools.

“Google doesn’t always get it right,” she said.

Instead, she turns to what she considers a more reliable source: the community.

“I reach out to my people. Literally anyone – friends, neighbors, family; the community.”

That approach reflects her belief that language belongs to people and that authentic knowledge often lives beyond search engines and translation software.

As her platform grew, Naomi began to recognise the responsibility that comes with representing a language and culture online.

“Social media is very important because it gives everyone control over what information they put out there,” she explained.

“Unlike restricted documentaries that may sometimes provide misleading information, creators can share authentic perspectives.”

With that freedom comes accountability.

“I feel I have the responsibility to give correct information and cancel out misleading information” she said.

It is a mission that has become increasingly important as more people rely on online content to learn about countries, cultures, and languages they may never have encountered before. Now Naomi is taking that mission beyond the screen.

Her latest project, Kaai’s Guide to Speaking Sesotho, is a pocket-sized language guide designed specifically for tourists, volunteers, expatriates, and visitors who want to communicate confidently while exploring Lesotho.

While much of her audience consumes content online, Naomi realised there were many people who still preferred physical resources.

“I thought, why leave that group out?” she said.

Her target audience is clear: foreigners spending anything from a few days to several years in the Mountain Kingdom.

“When you land, you want to be familiar with simple, everyday language. Travellers may fear getting lost because of the language barrier. What better way to help than a pocket-sized guide that teaches you how to get around towns and communities?” said Naomi.

Unlike traditional language textbooks, the guide is intentionally practical.

“Not everyone wants a long read. It becomes tedious to learn through a large textbook when you’re only visiting for a few days.”

The book promises to be educational while maintaining the same humour, accessibility, and interactivity that have made her online content so popular.The guide will also introduce readers to the broader story of Lesotho.

Included are fun facts about the country, insights into Basotho culture, information about traditional attire and local cuisine, and even stickers that visitors can keep as souvenirs.

For Naomi, authenticity matters.She wants readers to experience a publication created from within Lesotho rather than one produced from an outside perspective.The project represents a celebration of both language and identity.

Rather than releasing one comprehensive guide, Naomi plans to roll out the project in phases.

The first booklet will focus on introductions and basic greetings under the theme Welcome to Lesotho. Future editions will cover topics such as food, travel, and everyday interactions with local communities.

Her long-term vision is ambitious.She hopes to see the guides sold at airports and made available digitally so that people around the world can access them before they even arrive in Lesotho.

When asked which single Sesotho word best represents the Basotho people, Naomi does not hesitate.”Khotso.”The word means peace, but its significance runs much deeper.

“It is another way of saying hello. It is also part of our national motto and the final words of our national anthem: Khotso, Pula, Nala,”.

She says many foreigners who visit Lesotho often speak about the country’s peaceful nature and welcoming people.

“We truly are a peaceful nation.”

In many ways, that single word captures Naomi’s mission.

Chris Theko

A Professional Communications practitioner with a wealth of expertise in marketing, public speaking, communication and media relations. I believe in learning everyday and improving one’s personal and professional capabilities.

* A former journalist and radio host who is passionate about media and it’s impact on society.