The spectacular annual Roof of Africa (ROA) yesterday burst into action, engulfing Maseru city in a hive of activity buzzing with international riders and tourists in for the latest dose of the daring rides and breathtaking scenery along the race route.
As is the standard, the three-day show kicked off with the ‘Round the Houses’ feature at Maseru Mall, where participants showcased their freestyle skills and competed in time trials.
The main race begins today, and will carry over to tomorrow, at the rugged Oxen Hill terrain in Matsieng, just outside Maseru.
Lesotho is notably represented in three categories: by Basia Maseatile, Shabeer Moosa, and Ulrich Pop in the silver category; David Salley, Timello Tšolo, Peter Andrews, and Katleho Tlaole in the bronze category. Eric Salley and Lesekele Hlaoli
This year’s edition boasts an impressive 509 riders across four categories namely gold, silver, bronze, and iron. The riders hail from diverse countries, including France, Australia, Portugal, Romania, Germany, the United Kingdom, Estonia, Iceland, Zimbabwe, eSwatini, Namibia, South Africa, and host nation Lesotho.
Among the notable competitors is South African Wade Young, the reigning champion and a hard-enduro legend. At just 28 years old, Young has already claimed the Roof of Africa title eight times—in 2012, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2023. His historic 2012 victory, achieved at the age of 16, made him the youngest champion in the event’s history.
Young, competing in the Gold category, faces tough competition this year. Bulgarian rider Teodor Kabakchiev, the 2020 Junior Super Enduro World Champion, and South Africa’s James Moore, a three-time national enduro champion who finished fourth in last year’s race, are among his fiercest rivals.
Speaking to the media, Bereng Ntaote, Public Relations Officer for the Lesotho Off-Road Association (LORA), confirmed Young’s participation despite earlier uncertainties due to his packed international schedule.
“All our local riders are ready, fit, and well-prepared. Their bikes are in excellent condition, and they’re eager to make Lesotho proud,” Ntaote stated.
[{"id":"16974","link":"https:\/\/newsdayonline.co.ls\/america-slams-lesotho-over-arbitrary-arrests-killings\/","name":"america-slams-lesotho-over-arbitrary-arrests-killings","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/newsdayonline.co.ls\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/American-flag-outdoor-scaled.webp","alt":""},"title":"America slams Lesotho over arbitrary arrests, killings","author":{"name":"Staff Reporter","link":"https:\/\/newsdayonline.co.ls\/author\/staff\/"},"date":"Aug 19, 2025","dateGMT":"2025-08-19 10:31:26","modifiedDate":"2025-08-19 12:31:27","modifiedDateGMT":"2025-08-19 10:31:27","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"open","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/newsdayonline.co.ls\/category\/news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">News<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/newsdayonline.co.ls\/category\/news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">News<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":2,"sec":21},"status":"publish","content":"Arbitrary arrest and detention remain pressing human rights concerns in Lesotho, according to the United States State Department\u2019s long-awaited 2024 human rights report, released on"},{"id":"16971","link":"https:\/\/newsdayonline.co.ls\/maqutu-faces-possible-charges-amid-procurement-controversy\/","name":"maqutu-faces-possible-charges-amid-procurement-controversy","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/newsdayonline.co.ls\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Advocate-Mpaiphele-Maqutu.png","alt":""},"title":"Maqutu faces possible charges amid procurement controversy","author":{"name":"Thoboloko Nt\u0161onyane","link":"https:\/\/newsdayonline.co.ls\/author\/tee\/"},"date":"Aug 19, 2025","dateGMT":"2025-08-19 10:22:31","modifiedDate":"2025-08-19 12:22:32","modifiedDateGMT":"2025-08-19 10:22:32","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"open","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/newsdayonline.co.ls\/category\/news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">News<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/newsdayonline.co.ls\/category\/news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">News<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":2,"sec":42},"status":"publish","content":"The fate of Advocate Mpaiphele Maqutu, Director of Elections at the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), will be revealed next week as authorities decide whether to"},{"id":"16966","link":"https:\/\/newsdayonline.co.ls\/ministry-of-natural-resources-tender-notice-groundwater-hydrocensus-in-lesotho-lot-1\/","name":"ministry-of-natural-resources-tender-notice-groundwater-hydrocensus-in-lesotho-lot-1","thumbnail":{"url":false,"alt":false},"title":"MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES - Tender Notice: Groundwater Hydrocensus in Lesotho (Lot 1)","author":{"name":"Newsday","link":"https:\/\/newsdayonline.co.ls\/author\/admin\/"},"date":"Aug 18, 2025","dateGMT":"2025-08-18 13:32:49","modifiedDate":"2025-08-18 15:32:51","modifiedDateGMT":"2025-08-18 13:32:51","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"open","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/newsdayonline.co.ls\/category\/jobs-and-tenders\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Jobs and Tenders<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/newsdayonline.co.ls\/category\/jobs-and-tenders\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Jobs and Tenders<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":4,"sec":25},"status":"publish","content":"Government of Lesotho Tender Notice MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSIONER OF WATER REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) Groundwater Hydrocensus in Lesotho (Lot 1) Introduction Ministry of"},{"id":"16964","link":"https:\/\/newsdayonline.co.ls\/ministry-of-trade-industry-and-business-development-tender-notice-provision-of-security-services\/","name":"ministry-of-trade-industry-and-business-development-tender-notice-provision-of-security-services","thumbnail":{"url":false,"alt":false},"title":"MINISTRY OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT - TENDER NOTICE: provision of security services","author":{"name":"Newsday","link":"https:\/\/newsdayonline.co.ls\/author\/admin\/"},"date":"Aug 18, 2025","dateGMT":"2025-08-18 13:29:07","modifiedDate":"2025-08-18 15:29:08","modifiedDateGMT":"2025-08-18 13:29:08","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"open","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/newsdayonline.co.ls\/category\/jobs-and-tenders\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Jobs and Tenders<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/newsdayonline.co.ls\/category\/jobs-and-tenders\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Jobs and Tenders<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":2,"sec":34},"status":"publish","content":"MINISTRY OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT TENDER NOTICE Tender number: MTIBD \/001\/2025-2026 The Ministry of Trade and Industry invites tenders from suitably registered Security"},{"id":"16962","link":"https:\/\/newsdayonline.co.ls\/national-university-of-lesotho\/","name":"national-university-of-lesotho","thumbnail":{"url":false,"alt":false},"title":"NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF LESOTHO -","author":{"name":"Newsday","link":"https:\/\/newsdayonline.co.ls\/author\/admin\/"},"date":"Aug 18, 2025","dateGMT":"2025-08-18 13:25:45","modifiedDate":"2025-08-18 15:25:46","modifiedDateGMT":"2025-08-18 13:25:46","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"open","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/newsdayonline.co.ls\/category\/jobs-and-tenders\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Jobs and Tenders<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/newsdayonline.co.ls\/category\/jobs-and-tenders\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Jobs and Tenders<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":0,"sec":39},"status":"publish","content":"NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF LESOTHO\u00a0\u00a0- Vacancy: Demonstrator _______________________________________________________________________________ The National University of Lesotho invites applications from suitably qualified candidates for the following post: POST NO.POSITIONDEPARTMENT"},{"id":"16960","link":"https:\/\/newsdayonline.co.ls\/the-ministry-of-local-government-chieftainship-home-affairs-and-police-invitation-to-tender-renovation-of-police-headquarters-building-other-police-stations-and-staff-houses\/","name":"the-ministry-of-local-government-chieftainship-home-affairs-and-police-invitation-to-tender-renovation-of-police-headquarters-building-other-police-stations-and-staff-houses","thumbnail":{"url":false,"alt":false},"title":"The Ministry of Local Government, Chieftainship, Home Affairs and Police - INVITATION TO TENDER: renovation of Police Headquarters building, other Police Stations and staff houses","author":{"name":"Newsday","link":"https:\/\/newsdayonline.co.ls\/author\/admin\/"},"date":"Aug 18, 2025","dateGMT":"2025-08-18 13:19:36","modifiedDate":"2025-08-18 15:19:37","modifiedDateGMT":"2025-08-18 13:19:37","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"open","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/newsdayonline.co.ls\/category\/jobs-and-tenders\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Jobs and Tenders<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/newsdayonline.co.ls\/category\/jobs-and-tenders\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Jobs and Tenders<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":3,"sec":24},"status":"publish","content":"Lesotho INVITATION TO TENDER MoLGCHAP 13\/2025\/2026 The Ministry of Local Government, Chieftainship, Home Affairs and Police invites tenders from building contractors legally registered with the"},{"id":"16958","link":"https:\/\/newsdayonline.co.ls\/ministry-of-agriculture-food-security-nutrition-invitation-for-bids\/","name":"ministry-of-agriculture-food-security-nutrition-invitation-for-bids","thumbnail":{"url":false,"alt":false},"title":"Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security & Nutrition - Invitation for Bids","author":{"name":"Newsday","link":"https:\/\/newsdayonline.co.ls\/author\/admin\/"},"date":"Aug 18, 2025","dateGMT":"2025-08-18 13:16:12","modifiedDate":"2025-08-18 15:16:13","modifiedDateGMT":"2025-08-18 13:16:13","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"open","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/newsdayonline.co.ls\/category\/jobs-and-tenders\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Jobs and Tenders<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/newsdayonline.co.ls\/category\/jobs-and-tenders\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Jobs and Tenders<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":2,"sec":6},"status":"publish","content":"Kingdom of Lesotho Invitation for Bids Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security & Nutrition Supply and Delivery of Agricultural Machinery Spare Parts. The Government of the"},{"id":"16956","link":"https:\/\/newsdayonline.co.ls\/fifa-officials-assess-setsoto-progress\/","name":"fifa-officials-assess-setsoto-progress","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/newsdayonline.co.ls\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Setsoto-Stadium.png","alt":""},"title":"FIFA officials assess Setsoto progress","author":{"name":"Seabata Mahao","link":"https:\/\/newsdayonline.co.ls\/author\/seabata\/"},"date":"Aug 18, 2025","dateGMT":"2025-08-18 09:13:11","modifiedDate":"2025-08-18 11:13:13","modifiedDateGMT":"2025-08-18 09:13:13","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"open","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/newsdayonline.co.ls\/category\/sports\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Sports<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/newsdayonline.co.ls\/category\/sports\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Sports<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":2,"sec":44},"status":"publish","content":"The Lesotho Football Association (LeFA) recently hosted a delegation from FIFA\u2019s Regional Office in Johannesburg, comprising David Fani and Christine Gama, who visited Setsoto Stadium"},{"id":"16952","link":"https:\/\/newsdayonline.co.ls\/from-pitch-to-profession-matseliso-mosalas-kick4life-journey\/","name":"from-pitch-to-profession-matseliso-mosalas-kick4life-journey","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/newsdayonline.co.ls\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Matseliso-Mosala-a-defender-in-the-senior-womens-team.png","alt":""},"title":"From pitch to profession: Mat\u0161eliso Mosala\u2019s Kick4Life journey","author":{"name":"Seabata Mahao","link":"https:\/\/newsdayonline.co.ls\/author\/seabata\/"},"date":"Aug 18, 2025","dateGMT":"2025-08-18 09:10:06","modifiedDate":"2025-08-18 11:10:07","modifiedDateGMT":"2025-08-18 09:10:07","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"open","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/newsdayonline.co.ls\/category\/sports\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Sports<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/newsdayonline.co.ls\/category\/sports\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Sports<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":2,"sec":51},"status":"publish","content":"In the heart of Lesotho\u2019s football community, few stories resonate as deeply as that of Mat\u0161eliso Mosala a rising star whose journey from Malumeng\u2019s dusty"},{"id":"16948","link":"https:\/\/newsdayonline.co.ls\/maile-begins-us-chapter-with-a-bang\/","name":"maile-begins-us-chapter-with-a-bang","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/newsdayonline.co.ls\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Kick4Life-Academys-rising-star-Paseka-Maile.png","alt":""},"title":"Maile begins US chapter with a bang","author":{"name":"Seabata Mahao","link":"https:\/\/newsdayonline.co.ls\/author\/seabata\/"},"date":"Aug 18, 2025","dateGMT":"2025-08-18 08:39:40","modifiedDate":"2025-08-18 10:41:31","modifiedDateGMT":"2025-08-18 08:41:31","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"open","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/newsdayonline.co.ls\/category\/sports\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Sports<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/newsdayonline.co.ls\/category\/sports\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Sports<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":1,"sec":52},"status":"publish","content":"Kick4Life Academy\u2019s rising star, Paseka Maile, has officially embarked on an exciting new journey in the United States (US) after safely arriving and settling at"},{"id":"16945","link":"https:\/\/newsdayonline.co.ls\/cityzeen-ls-breaks-records-with-hohle-ke-lesotho\/","name":"cityzeen-ls-breaks-records-with-hohle-ke-lesotho","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/newsdayonline.co.ls\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Cityzeen-LS.png","alt":""},"title":"Cityzeen LS breaks records with \u2018Hohle ke Lesotho\u2019","author":{"name":"Chris Theko","link":"https:\/\/newsdayonline.co.ls\/author\/chris\/"},"date":"Aug 18, 2025","dateGMT":"2025-08-18 08:28:38","modifiedDate":"2025-08-18 10:28:39","modifiedDateGMT":"2025-08-18 08:28:39","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"open","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/newsdayonline.co.ls\/category\/arts-leisure\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Arts & Leisure<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/newsdayonline.co.ls\/category\/arts-leisure\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Arts & Leisure<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":2,"sec":47},"status":"publish","content":"\u2026 First local song to hit 1 million YouTube views in under 6 months In a landmark moment for Lesotho\u2019s music scene, local artist Cityzeen"},{"id":"16942","link":"https:\/\/newsdayonline.co.ls\/to-the-king-gospel-show-to-uplift-maseru\/","name":"to-the-king-gospel-show-to-uplift-maseru","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/newsdayonline.co.ls\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Nthabiseng-Florah.png","alt":""},"title":"\u2018To The King\u2019 gospel show to uplift Maseru","author":{"name":"Fusi Hlaoli","link":"https:\/\/newsdayonline.co.ls\/author\/fusi\/"},"date":"Aug 18, 2025","dateGMT":"2025-08-18 08:23:19","modifiedDate":"2025-08-18 10:23:20","modifiedDateGMT":"2025-08-18 08:23:20","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"open","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/newsdayonline.co.ls\/category\/arts-leisure\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Arts & Leisure<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/newsdayonline.co.ls\/category\/arts-leisure\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Arts & Leisure<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":2,"sec":13},"status":"publish","content":"The \u2018Manthabiseng Convention Centre will come alive with the sound of praise on 23 August when Nthabiseng Florah Makhanya \u2018Mapitse, known to her fans as"}]
The Minister of Tourism, Sports, Arts, and Culture, Motlatsi Maqelepo, officially welcomed participants and spectators, emphasising the significance of this year’s race as Lesotho celebrates 200 years as a nation. He encouraged visitors to enjoy the country’s majestic mountains, scenic landscapes, and warm hospitality.
“To Basotho, let us welcome our guests with peace and pride. They bring not only excitement but also an economic boost for our country. Many accommodation facilities are fully booked, and this is a moment for all of us to celebrate together,” said Maqelepo.
As the race continues, all eyes will be on the riders, braving the challenging Lesotho terrain in their quest for glory, while Basotho and visitors alike revel in the festivities of this iconic event.
