Leqele High School came alive with energy and enthusiasm on Friday, 19th September 2025, as the 3rd edition of the Travel and Tourism Learners’ Competition brought together fascinated students from across Lesotho. The event attracted significant crowd of around 500 learners from 13 high schools, accompanied by 30 dedicated teachers. Among the participating schools were Mphaki High School, Holy Cross High School, Paul VI High School, Likuena High School, Mohale’s Hoek English Medium School (MEMS), Johnson Baker High School, Bereng High School, Mathula High School, Randolo Mohale High School, Thuto-ke-Leseli High School, Mahlabatheng High School, Leqele High School, and Likileng International School.
The Travel and Tourism Competition, held as part of the planned activities for Tourism Month, is an annual event hosted by the Lesotho Tourism Development Corporation (LTDC) in collaboration with the Lesotho Travel and Tourism Teachers Association (LTTTA) and Limkokwing University of Creative Technology (LUCT). The competition brings together some of the country’s brightest young minds to showcase their knowledge, creativity, and passion for the tourism sector.
Adding to the status of the event, the Ministry of Education and Training, under the auspices of the Examination Council of Lesotho (ECoL), was also in attendance, confirming the competition’s significance in shaping the future of tourism education in the Kingdom.
Bringing a unique flair to the event, a seasoned Tour Operator, a founder and Director of Tsela Tours and Adventure Mr. Kemang Leluma was invited to motivate the learners. Drawing from years of experience in the industry, the speaker shared real-life stories, challenges, and opportunities within the tourism sector. His words encouraged learners to see tourism not just as a subject, but as a career path full of possibilities to transform communities, enhance livelihoods, and position Lesotho as a competitive destination on the global stage.
The Competition aligns effortlessly with the mandate of the Lesotho Tourism Development Corporation (LTDC), as it promotes awareness of Lesotho’s tourism potential, it works to hone the skills and enrich knowledge of future industry leaders, particularly the youth, who represent the human capital that will shape and drive the future of the tourism industry and encourages innovation. “It is for this reason that LTDC found it prudent to take the lead in organizing the Travel and Tourism Learners’ Competition
Students took part in a variety of activities designed to test both their knowledge and practical skills in tourism. These include tourism-themed quizzes, where selected topics were randomly selected to assess learners’ understanding of travel and tourism, concepts; impromptu speeches, in which students randomly select a tourism-related topic and present their views on the spot; and practical role-play exercises that simulate real-life tourism scenarios, such as guiding visitors through Lesotho’s iconic attractions, allowing them to demonstrate knowledge, communication skills, and creativity. The competition also featured an essay writing section aligned with the Tourism Month theme, “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation”.’ Learners were assigned the essay well in advance, and the results were announced during the competition.
The event was nothing short of captivating, as well-prepared learners took to the stage to showcase their talents, leaving the audience in awe with a breathtaking dance performance.
After a heated contest, in which each participating schools represented by two learners from Grades 9 to 11 was allocated a maximum of two minutes, the competition reached its climax.
When all was said and done, we witnessed both the triumphs and the near misses, the heroes who rose to the occasion and those who, in spite of their efforts, fell short.
In the quiz presentations on general knowledge for Grade 9 learners, Leqele High School took the lead, followed by Mphaki High School in second place and Bereng High School in third. In the Grade 10 impromptu speech, Leqele once again secured first position, with MEMS taking second and Randolo Mohale High School third. The Grade 11 impromptu speech saw Leqele extend its winning streak, claiming first place, while Mohale’s Hoek English Medium and Randolo Mohale High School took second and third, respectively. With consistent victories across categories, Leqele High School ultimately emerged as the overall winner of the competition. However, the role-play tournament had to be discontinued as the program ran late, and organizers could not risk learners traveling at night.
“The essay competition stole the spotlight, First place went to a learner from Mohale’s Hoek English Medium, (MEMS) Ms. Nthabeleng Rantja, whose powerful essay highlighted the role of the community-driven tourism and sustainability in building a stronger future.
“An ecstatic Ms. Rantja shared that the sleepless nights she spent writing had finally paid off, boosting her confidence. Her essay focused on promoting domestic tourism, encouraging Basotho to value the natural beauty, culture, and adventure within their own country. She further emphasized the need to develop and conserve Lesotho’s many attractions. She mentioned that in her research, she also discovered that tourism serves as a catalyst for achieving all the Sustainable Development Goals, which deepened her appreciation of the industry’s global impact”.
In her remarks, LTDC Acting Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Mamello Morojele, emphasized that the competition aligns with LTDC’s mandate “Through this competition we want to create an environment on which learners learn how to promote places of attractions, enhance touristic products, and discover entrepreneurial opportunities that they can tap into to generate revenue for themselves and their families”.
The LTDC boss conveyed her heartfelt gratitude to Lesotho Hotels and Hospitality Association (LHHA) for their generous sponsorship of meals to participants and organizers of the event and Leqele High School for hosting the competition.
In his opening remarks, the Chairperson of the Lesotho Travel and Tourism Teachers Association (LTTTA) Mr. Mokeka Monyamane highlighted the importance of the competition in complementing classroom learning by offering learners a practical platform to showcase their knowledge, skills, and creativity.
He commended LTDC, LUCT, and other stakeholders for their commitment to youth empowerment, noting that the competition not only builds confidence and critical thinking but also inspires learners to see tourism as a viable career path. He further emphasized that investing in young people is investing in the future of Lesotho’s tourism industry, as they will become the innovators and ambassadors who drive the sector forward.
Ms. Polo Lemphane a representative from Ministry of Education under the support of Examination Council of Lesotho expressed excitement at witnessing the future of Lesotho’s tourism industry in action.
“Travel and Tourism is a subject that equips learners with vital skills in areas such as hospitality, event management, and the cruise industry,” Lemphane said. She added that while written assessments under the theme “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation” capture theory, live competitions offer a rare opportunity to see learners demonstrate their creativity and practical skills. “I hope this competition will motivate all learners as they prepare for the 2025 LGCSE examinations, and I wish every participating school the best of luck,”She concluded.
Addressing learners at the Travel and Tourism Competition, Mr. Sebinane Lekoekoe, Manager in the Faculty of Creativity in Tourism and Hospitality at Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, said it was a privilege to interact with young people pursuing the Travel and Tourism course, noting that the programme holds great potential to significantly advance tourism development in Lesotho.
He emphasized that tourism goes beyond hotels and airlines, explaining it as “a power that builds experiences, links cultures, and fosters understanding across the globe.” Lekoekoe highlighted the importance of linking tourism to sustainable transformation, stating that it plays a pivotal role in driving economic growth, preserving cultural heritage. He urged learners to imagine themselves as storytellers, cultural ambassadors, and innovators molding the future of travel and tourism.
