His Majesty King Letsie III,

The Right Honorable Prime Minister Matekane,

Honorable Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations,

Honorable Minister of Education and Training,

His Royal Highness Prince Lerotholi Seeiso,

Dear young friends,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Good afternoon. It is a great pleasure and privilege to be here, to witness the grand finale of the Spelling A Business Challenge Tertiary Edition 2026. 

Let me begin by expressing my appreciation for the success of the event. I wish to pay my special and personal respect to the Honourable Lejone Mpotjoane, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations, who initiated the Spelling A Business Challenge and promoted it from a local event into a platform of national and regional impact. It is really a tremendous encouragement and powerhouse for His Royal Highness Prince Lerotholi Seeiso to serve as the Patron. I look forward to the greater success with the continued engagement of the Hon. Minister and the reinforcement of His Royal Highness Prince.

Ladies and gentlemen,

In a time of growing global uncertainty and economic pressure, young people who are prepared, adaptable and innovative, remain the most reliable foundation for resilience and growth. Supporting them means investing not only in individual futures, but also in the long-term development of a nation.

As President Xi Jinping has emphasized, education is the foundation of building a great country and achieving national rejuvenation. Building into a leading country in education is a common task for the whole society. Schools, families, and all stakeholders should cooperate closely. China is advancing the strategy of invigorating the nation through science and education, as well as developing a strong workforce for the modernization drive. We believe that employment is not only an economic issue, but also the foundation of people’s well-being and social stability. It is in this spirit that we sincerely hope the Spelling A Business Challenge will continue to inspire Basotho youth and contribute to Lesotho’s development.

Ladies and gentlemen,

This year carries special significance for our friendship. It marks the 60th anniversary of Lesotho’s independence, as well as the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges. The young generation is one of the strongest momentum for people-to-people exchanges. China has provided scholarships and training opportunities to Basotho youth for years. Over the past three years alone, a total of 1,689 Basotho youth have participated, either online or in person, in study and training programs in China. The Confucius Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology, along with Confucius Classrooms, continues to equip Basotho youth with agricultural knowledge and language skills. I am pleased to see that these cross-cultural talents have now become contributors of Lesotho’s development and envoys of China-Lesotho friendship across various sectors.

China has also been supportive of local youth initiatives in Lesotho. Take the Hololo Development Foundation as an example: we have been an important development partner since its establishment. Over the years, the foundation has grown steadily and rapidly, benefiting an increasing number of Basotho youth, and is now expanding its influence across the entire region. Nothing is more exciting and gratifying for a development partner than witnessing and contributing to such progress. In addition, China contributes to the Sebabatso Initiative each year, sending talented and ambitious Basotho youth to China for training in a range of fields, so they can return home equipped with knowledge and skills to build their own country. Many of them have already started their own businesses. Through these efforts, China has been empowering young generations of Basotho, providing them with the tools to pursue their dreams and drive Lesotho’s development forward.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Actions speak louder than words. Here, I would like to announce that the Chinese Embassy will award three training opportunities in China to the adult winners of today’s grand finale. We will continue to back this and other youth programs to deepen people-to-people ties and strengthen China-Lesotho friendship. And I wish all contestants the very best. May the event be a great success.

Thank you.

Kea leboha haholo.