'Mamohato Bereng Seeiso

'Mamohato Bereng Seeiso (née Princess Tabitha 'Masentle Lerotholi Mojela) (28 April 1941 – 6 September 2003)[1] served as the Regent Head of State of Lesotho on three occasions: 5 June to 5 December 1970, 10 March to 12 November 1990 and 15 January to 7 February 1996.[2]

'Mamohato
Queen consort of Lesotho
Tenure4 October 1966 – 12 November 1990
25 January 1995 – 15 January 1996
Regent of Lesotho
Tenure5 June 1970 – 5 December 1970
10 March 1990 – 12 November 1990
15 January 1996 – 7 February 1996
BornTabitha 'Masentle Lerotholi Mojela
(1941-04-28)28 April 1941
Tebang, Mafeteng
Died6 September 2003(2003-09-06) (aged 62)
Mantsonyane, Thaba-Tseka
SpouseMoshoshoe II
IssueKing Letsie III
Prince Seeiso
Princess Constance
FatherLerotholi Mojela, Chief of Tsakholo
ReligionChristian Church

Biography

'Mamohato was born at Tebang, located in the District of Mafeteng.[3] She was the youngest child of Lerotholi Mojela (1895–1961), Chief of Tsakholo.[4]

The princess was sent to study at Bath Training College of Home Economics in the United Kingdom.[3]

A year after the death of her father, she married Moshoeshoe II.[3] During her reign, she helped improve children's education in Lesotho.[3]

The queen died on September 6, 2003, of heart failure while at a Catholic retreat for the Order of Saint Cecilia at the Auray Mission[5] in Mantsonyane.[6]

Charity work and legacy

There is a hospital named for her, the Queen 'Mamohato Memorial Hospital.[7]

The queen, known as the "Mother of the Nation", created Hlokomela Bana ("Take Care of Children" in Sesotho) in the 1980s to provide care and support for some of the most vulnerable children in Lesotho. Hlokomela Bana works closely with principal chiefs to identify what support can be best provided to those who have lost their parents or are living with disabilities.[8]

Family

She was the wife of King Moshoeshoe II and the mother of King Letsie III, Prince Seeiso and Princess Constance Christina 'Maseeiso.

Titles
  • 1941–1962: Tabitha 'Masentle Lerotholi Mojela.
  • 1962–1966: HRH Princess 'Mamohato Bereng Seeiso.
  • 1966–1996: HM The Queen.
    • 5 June – 5 December 1970, 10 March – 12 November 1990, 15 January – 7 February 1996: HM The Queen Regent
  • 1996–2003: HM Queen 'Mamohato Bereng Seeiso, The Queen Mother

References
  1. "The Queen Mother of Lesotho, Mamohato Bereng Seeiso Dies". South African History Online. 6 September 2003. Retrieved 4 January 2016.
  2. "Royal Deputy Heads of State in the 20th and 21st Century". Worldwide Guide to Women in Leadership. Retrieved 4 January 2016.
  3. "Orbituary of the Late Queen Mother Her Majesty, 'Mamohato Bereng Seeiso". Government of Lesotho. Archived from the original on 12 August 2014. Retrieved 4 January 2016.
  4. Rosenberg, Scott; Weisfelder, Richard F. (2013). Historical Dictionary of Lesotho. Scarecrow Press, Inc. pp. 351–352. ISBN 9780810879829.
  5. "News24". Archived from the original on 2017-02-18. Retrieved 2017-02-17.
  6. "Everyone Came to Hear What Led to her Death". Government of Lesotho. 17 September 2003. Archived from the original on 13 August 2014. Retrieved 4 January 2016.
  7. "Lesotho Lessons Learned: Mamohato Hospital". GPOBA. Archived from the original on 1 November 2016. Retrieved 4 January 2016.
  8. Thomas, Glyn (2016-03-29). "Celebrating International Women's Day". Sentebale. Archived from the original on 2021-10-03. Retrieved 2018-05-23.
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