Her Royal Majesty Queen Karabo Anna is a pioneer of modern royalty in Africa, effortlessly combining the traditional customs of her ancestors with the vibrant pace of contemporary life.
Born into a lineage of affluence as the daughter of the Chief of Tsakholo Lerotholi Mojela, Queen Masenate Mohato carries the legacy of philanthropy and leadership with grace and dignity. Queen Masenate Mohato's benevolent monarchy in today's world is embodied by her empathy and engagement with the less privileged.
In 1990, Queen Masenate enrolled at Machabeng International College in Maseru and studied there until 1996, completing an International General Certificate for Secondary Education and an International Baccalaureate Diploma.
In 1997, she attended the National University of Lesotho (NUL) where she studied for a Bachelor of Science degree.
Her studies were impacted by her relationship with King Letsie III. She became engaged in October 1999 and married him in Maseru on February 18, 2000.
King Letsie III was at the time the only unmarried king in Africa.
The ceremony was conducted at Setsoto Stadium by Archbishop Bernard Mohlalisi, with 40,000 people present, including dignitaries such as Nelson Mandela, Festus Mogae, Bakili Muluzi, and Prince Charles of the British Royal Family.
King Letsie said Anna would be his only wife, going against tradition in an area where polygamists are relatively common. After the ceremony, the bride and groom left for lunch amid deafening cheers, singing, and ululation from the crowd. The couple hosted an evening banquet for their guests. After her marriage, Anna was known as Queen Masenate Mohato Seeiso.
Kingdom of Lesotho
Lesotho was originally inhabited by local tribes of hunter-gatherers called the Khoisan. Later came the Bantu tribes and eventually the Sotho-Tswana peoples. In 1822 King Moshoeshoe I united the land under one rule for the first time. Lesotho (formerly Basutoland) was constituted as a native state under British protection by a treaty signed with the native chief Moshoeshoe in 1843.
It was annexed to Cape Colony in 1871, but in 1884 it was restored to direct control by the Crown. The colony of Basutoland became the independent nation of Lesotho on October 4th, 1966, with King Moshoeshoe II as sovereign. For the first 20 years the Basotho National Party remained in power. The country has since had changes in power and leaders with some protests and some unrest.
Interests:
Her involvement in charitable projects encompasses patroning the Lesotho Red Cross Society, the SOS Children's Village, and the Machabeng International College where she studied before becoming Queen.
In addition to her work with the charity
for People with Disabilities, Queen Masenate is generally interested in working with projects seeking to improve the voices of disabled people in Lesotho.After the passing on of Queen Mother Mamohato Bereng Seeiso, her mother-in-law, in 2003 she took over as the patron of Hlokomela Bana Foundation (Take Care of Children), an association dedicated to looking after mainly orphaned and abandoned children.
The Queen has urged members of the Hlokomela Bana Foundation to work harder to transform the lives of vulnerable and orphaned children.
At a Maseru event, she stated that this would help the foundation fulfill their mission of helping the needy by attracting more companies and people of goodwill to donate.
On June 29, the foundation received the proceeds collected during her birthday celebration at the event.
Queen Masenate has been involved in promoting HIV/AIDS projects and becoming the patron of several charities since becoming Queen. She has also visited multiple AIDS projects throughout the country, including orphanages.
From social enterprise to education and women's empowerment, her interests reflect her dedication to using her platform for widespread positive change. The way she approaches royalty is unique, and it is highlighted by her entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to philanthropy.
Year Crowned: 1996
Nationality : Mosotho
Title: Queen of Lesotho
Date of Birth: June 2, 1976
Relationship Status: Married
Kids: 3
Date of Birth: May 22, 1986
Age: 37 years
Legacy:
Queen Masenate Mohato is determined to leave a legacy marked by education, empowerment, and innovation, driving forward the socio-economic development of the Lesotho people and setting a benchmark for modern royalty.
Her holistic approach to community development is reflected in the way she stewards The Lesotho Red Cross Society, SOS Children's Village, Machabeng International College, and individuals with disabilities. Numerous honors have been bestowed upon her for her contributions, including being appointed to high-level advisory committees on Women's Economic Empowerment
House of African Royalty
