'Mamohato Bereng Seeiso Explained

Consort:yes
'Mamohato
Birth Date:1941 4, df=yes
Birth Place:Tebang, Mafeteng
Death Place:Mantsonyane, Thaba-Tseka
Birth Name:Tabitha 'Masentle Lerotholi Mojela
Spouse:Moshoshoe II
Succession:Queen consort of Lesotho
Reign:4 October 1966 – 12 November 1990
25 January 1995 – 15 January 1996
Succession1:Regent of Lesotho
Reign1:5 June 1970 – 5 December 1970
10 March 1990 – 12 November 1990
15 January 1996 – 7 February 1996
Father:Lerotholi Mojela, Chief of Tsakholo

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]

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.

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

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

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The Queen Mother of Lesotho, Mamohato Bereng Seeiso Dies. 6 September 2003. 4 January 2016. South African History Online.
  2. Web site: Royal Deputy Heads of State in the 20th and 21st Century. 4 January 2016. Worldwide Guide to Women in Leadership.
  3. Web site: Orbituary of the Late Queen Mother Her Majesty, 'Mamohato Bereng Seeiso. 4 January 2016. Government of Lesotho. https://web.archive.org/web/20140812223407/http://www.gov.ls/articles/2003/Queen-Mothers-Death.htm. 12 August 2014. dead.
  4. Book: Historical Dictionary of Lesotho. Rosenberg. Scott. Scarecrow Press, Inc. 2013. 9780810879829. 351–352. Weisfelder. Richard F..
  5. Web site: News24 . 2017-02-17 . 2017-02-18 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170218145220/http://www.news24.com/Africa/News/Lesothos-Queen-Mother-dies-20030907 . dead .
  6. Web site: Everyone Came to Hear What Led to her Death. 17 September 2003. 4 January 2016. Government of Lesotho. https://web.archive.org/web/20140813064339/http://www.gov.ls/articles/2003/Led%20to%20Her%20Death.htm. 13 August 2014. dead.
  7. Web site: Lesotho Lessons Learned: Mamohato Hospital. 4 January 2016. GPOBA. https://web.archive.org/web/20161101041428/https://www.gpoba.org/node/688. 1 November 2016. dead.
  8. News: Celebrating International Women's Day. Thomas. Glyn. 2016-03-29. Sentebale. 2018-05-23. en-GB. 2021-10-03. https://web.archive.org/web/20211003133320/https://sentebale.org/celebrating-international-womens-day-inspiredbyher/. dead.