King Letsie III has expressed hope that all leaders will make a pledge to jointly dedicate their work for the country with truth and respect as “Lesotho needs dedicated and God-fearing men and women who fight corruption and theft.” The King said this in his New Year’s national message and he emphasised that the country has already made achievement towards a better nation through establishment of National Reforms Authority (NRA). “It said is quite an achievement in a journey of reforming the pillars of governance. I therefore thank all who worked hard and with determination to see that we reach where we are in reforms' journey,” he said.

“It is my hope and that of the nation that those selected into the NRA will work to see that their job produces the Lesotho that Basotho want and aspire and always remember to put Basotho and Lesotho first,” he said.

The King said that Lesotho has had many challenges in 2019 which include HIV/AIDS saying it is shocking to learn that new infections are increasing especially in youth whom he said are future generations adding that this is testimony that messages disseminated to the public to protect themselves from this pandemic are falling into deaf ears. He therefore strongly pleaded with the youth and Basotho as a whole to protect themselves every time and in every way so as to avoid putting their lives and those of their loved ones in danger.

“2019 World AIDS day was commemorated with the launch of new HIV/AIDS policy to focus much on total eradication or ending of the pandemic by 2030 therefore as the Basotho nation we all have to take responsibility and ensure that we reach the targets of the new policy,” he emphasised. He said that another challenge which hit Lesotho in 2019 was drought due to climate change that led to delay of summer rains saying this has immensely affected agriculture. He added that this unfortunate situation coupled with deteriorating economy will only bring hunger and poverty.