Disability Accessibility Conference

Allow me to pay my respect to:

His Majesty King Letsie II

Her Majesty the Queen 

The Right Honourable the Prime Minister

The Honourable President of the Senate

The Honourable Speaker of the National Assembly

The Honourable Deputy Prime Minister

Honourable Ministers, in particular the Minister of Gender, Youth, Sports and Social Development

Their Excellencies, Members of the Diplomatic Corps

Senior Government Officials 

Members of Civil Society and Non-Governmental Organizations, in particular the Lesotho National Federation of Organisations of the Disabled (LNFOD),

Representatives of Vodacom Lesotho Foundation,

Members of the Media

Distinguished Guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

Bo mme le Bo Ntate Good Morning, 

It is a great honour to join you today for this important inaugural Disability Accessibility Conference. Let me begin by commending Vodacom Lesotho Foundation for its leadership in convening this gathering, one that places inclusion and accessibility at the centre of our collective pursuit of sustainable development.

Let me also acknowledge the Ministry of Gender, Youth and Social Development, Vodacom and LNFOD for establishing this strategic forum. Your leadership and commitment to promoting disability inclusion in Lesotho is not only commendable but also sets as an timely example for all of us here.

What we are witnessing today is the demonstration of the collective commitment to dismantling barriers that continue to stand in the way of persons with disabilities. 

While we recognise the significant strides made through progressive legislation such as the Disability Equity Act and the strengthening of national policies and representation, many Basotho with disabilities still face challenges in accessing education, employment, healthcare, and enjoying life like other citizens without disabilities. These are injustices that hinder our colleagues, loved ones, and neighbours from realizing their full potential and exercising their rights to equality and dignity, all because they have disabilities.

Disability inclusion is a fundamental human right, enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which Lesotho ratified in 2008. It is also central to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, from access to education and healthcare to participation in technology, innovation, and climate action. Realizing these ambitions requires stronger collaboration across sectors, effective policy implementation, and deliberate investment in accessible technologies and environments that enable all people to thrive.

The UN, through its various agencies, has a long-standing partnership with Organisations of Persons with Disabilities in Lesotho, supporting critical areas such as inclusive education, health, and entrepreneurship. Building on this collaboration, we have developed a joint workplan for 2025 with the Lesotho National Federation of Organisations of the Disabledand its affiliates, the Persons with Disability Advisory Council, and the Ministry of Gender, Youth, and Social Development through its Disability Services Department. This joint approach identifies priority areas for collaboration, strengthens coordination of interventions, and ensures that disability inclusion remains a central focus in national development planning and service delivery.

Allow me to share the story of Mr. Letsekha Ntlale, a Deaf entrepreneur and visual advocate.

Mr. Ntlale had an idea;   to use visual storytelling to raise awareness about Sign Language and promote inclusion for the Deaf community in Lesotho. Yet, like many talented persons with disabilities, he faced one major obstacle: lack of access to markets and resources to bring his idea to life.

Through the SEBABATSO initiative, which the UN has proudly supported, he received a grant of M18,000 through the STEAM programme. This support enabled him to purchase a professional-grade camera and establish himself as a content creator, producing high-quality advocacy videos focused on Sign Language education, Deaf culture, and community awareness.

His efforts have since grown into paid professional work. Today, he is producing a series of Sign Language video messages on childhood vaccination, in partnership with the National Association of the Deaf Lesotho (NADL) and supported by LNFOD. These videos ensure that critical health information reaches Deaf parents and communities across Lesotho.

This is more than a success story, it is a powerful reminder that when we invest in accessibility, we unlock creativity, enterprise, and hope. Mr. Ntlale’s story shows us that when we commit to leaving no one behind, we can transform potential into progress, and awareness into action.

This is precisely why the lived experiences of persons with disabilities must remain at the heart of our advocacy. Their voices must not only be heard, but meaningfully influence policies, programmes, and priorities. Inclusion is not something nice to have, it is an act of justice, dignity, and human rights.

This conference must challenge all of us, government, civil society, the private sector, academia, and development partners, to design and implement practical, inclusive solutions.

From accessible infrastructure to inclusive education, digital empowerment, and equitable economic participation, we must move forward together to ensure that every person, regardless of ability, can participate fully and meaningfully in society.

The United Nations in Lesotho remains fully committed to supporting this mission. Through our partnerships, we will continue to advocate for inclusive policies, mobilize resources, and strengthen national capacities to embed disability inclusion within all areas of sustainable development.

Let us leave this conference not only inspired but committed. Let us pledge to act, to invest, and to collaborate, to build a Lesotho where every individual can flourish, contribute, and belong.

Together, we can forge a world without disability barriers.

Together, we can create a future that is inclusive, equitable, and just.

Kea Leboha