SEMONKONG HORSE RACING CELEBRATES HIS MAJESTY KING LETSIE III’S BIRTHDAY IN A DISPLAY OF BASOTHO TRADITION AND HORSEMANSHIP
The celebrations of His Majesty King Letsie III’s Birthday continued in spectacular fashion at Semonkong, where thousands of Basotho and visitors gathered for one of Lesotho’s most celebrated horse racing events. The annual horse racing competition once again demonstrated the country’s rich equestrian heritage, bringing together skilled riders, local communities and tourism stakeholders to honor the King of the Mountain Kingdom.
Horse racing remains one of Lesotho’s most treasured cultural traditions, reflecting the bravery, discipline and exceptional horsemanship of the Basotho people. The Semonkong Horse Racing event continues to attract large crowds from across the country and neighboring areas while promoting cultural tourism and supporting local economic development.
This year’s celebrations were made even more memorable by the presence of His Majesty King Letsie III, who honored the invitation of the people of Semonkong. Also in attendance was the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Sports, Arts and Culture, together with government officials, tourism stakeholders and community leaders. The King’s presence brought great excitement to the occasion, with many spectators expressing pride and gratitude that His Majesty joined them to celebrate this important cultural event.
As a gesture of appreciation for honoring their invitation, the people of Semonkong presented His Majesty with a traditional Basotho blanket and a Mokorotlo, symbolizing respect, gratitude and the strong bond between the King and his people.
The competition featured five thrilling races namely Lejoe la 4, Lejoe la 5, Lejoe la 6, Lejoe la 7 and Lejoe la 8, with riders displaying outstanding skill, endurance and determination.
In Lejoe la 4, the first-place winner received M1,500.00, second place M1,000.00, third place M600.00 and fourth place M400.00.
Lejoe la 5 saw the stakes increase, with the winner walking away with M3,500.00, followed by M2,500.00 for second place, M2,000.00 for third place and M1,000.00 for fourth place.
The prizes for Lejoe la 6 were officially handed over by the Principal Secretary from the Ministry of Tourism, Sports, Arts and Culture. The first-place winner received M4,000.00, followed by M3,000.00 for second place, M2,500.00 for third place and M1,500.00 for fourth place.
The highlight of the day was Lejoe la 7, regarded as the most prestigious race of the competition. His Majesty King Letsie III personally handed over the prizes to the winners, making the moment even more special for the riders and spectators. The winning rider, Mr. Letlala Rampiti, claimed first position and walked away with M4,500.00 after an impressive performance. Second place received M3,500.00, third place M3,000.00 and fourth place M2,500.00.
The final race, Lejoe la 8, concluded the day’s competition with first place receiving M4,000.00, second place M3,000.00, third place M1,500.00 and fourth place M1,000.00.
Econet Telecom Lesotho also supported the event by presenting branded masks to the winners, adding to the celebrations while demonstrating private sector support for cultural and sporting activities.
Speaking after winning the prestigious Lejoe la 7 race, Mr. Letlala Rampiti expressed his joy and appreciation. “Winning Lejoe la 7 means a lot to me because it is the biggest race of the day. Receiving my prize from His Majesty King Letsie III made the victory even more special. This achievement encourages me to continue working hard and preserving our horse racing tradition,” he said.
Among the many spectators was Ms. Limpho Ntlama from a neighboring village, who said she could not miss the event because of her passion for horse racing. “I love horse racing because it is part of who we are as Basotho. The atmosphere was incredible, and seeing His Majesty with the people made this year’s event unforgettable. I look forward to coming back every year,” she said.
Another local villager Mr Mopeli Mopeli shared the community’s excitement at seeing His Majesty in attendance. “This is one of the biggest horse racing events in Lesotho. Having His Majesty here this year made us very proud. His presence shows that our traditions are important and deserve to be celebrated,” he said.
The Lesotho Tourism Development Corporation (LTDC) also participated in the celebrations as part of its ongoing efforts to promote cultural tourism and position Lesotho as a preferred tourism destination.
Speaking on behalf of LTDC, Manager Strategic Marketing Mr Nkuebe Lerotholi said horse racing remains one of Lesotho’s strongest cultural tourism products. “Horse racing is deeply rooted in Basotho culture and identity. Events such as the Semonkong Horse Racing celebrations provide an opportunity to preserve our traditions while creating economic opportunities for local communities through tourism. LTDC is proud to support initiatives that showcase the uniqueness of Lesotho and encourage both domestic and international visitors to experience our authentic cultural heritage,” he said.
The Semonkong Horse Racing celebrations once again demonstrated the important role that cultural events play in promoting tourism, preserving Basotho traditions and strengthening community participation. With the continued support of His Majesty, government, the private sector and local communities, the event continues to grow as one of Lesotho’s premier cultural and sporting attractions while proudly honoring the King of the Mountain Kingdom.
