Words, life and love of Christ are offered as African nation mourns.
(The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) Loved ones grieve Saturday at Maputsoe Sports Stadium in Lesotho for those killed in an accident while en route to a church activity.
Led by Lesotho’s prime minister, thousands of mourners united in a soccer stadium Saturday to comfort loved ones and remember the lost ones from a multivehicle crash that claimed 14 lives, including seven Latter-day Saint girls and their leaders headed to a church activity.
“I give my undivided respect to all families who have been affected by this tragedy,” Prime Minister Ntsokoane Samuel Matekane told the 3,000 or so funeral attendees at the Maputsoe Sports Stadium, according to a news release. “We pray for those who are affected by this horrible tragedy. We are here to mourn with those that mourn. Our country is at a great loss. It is a painful time.”
(The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) Lesotho Prime Minister Ntsokoane Samuel Matekane speaks on Saturday, July 19, 2025, at a funeral service in Maputsoe for those who lost their lives in late June 2025 while traveling to a church Young Women activity.
Reaching out to the nearly 2,000 members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in his tiny African country, Matekane said “we offer our condolences. We share in your pain and loss.”
[Read the list of names of those killed in the Lesotho crash.]
An area chief noted the heartbreak in the community from this and other recent tragedies.
“We wondered why God would not raise his mighty hand to comfort us, but everything has been done in the wisdom of him who knoweth all things,” Chief Makara Nyenye said. “I lack words to express how sorry I am, but I’d like to pass my sincere condolences to the families and the students and the teachers of these kids and everyone who is present today. And I say, may the souls of our brothers and sisters rest in eternal peace with our Father in Heaven.”
Mampho Makura, a Young Women president from a neighboring Latter-day Saint congregation, said she and her sister “burst into tears” and “couldn’t help but cry on top of our lungs” when they first heard about the accident.
(The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) Mampho Makura, a Young Women president in Lesotho, speaks on Saturday, July 19, 2025, at a funeral service in Maputsoe for those who lost their lives in late June 2025 while traveling to a church Young Women activity.
But Makura said she has found comfort in the embrace of Jesus and pointed to his concern for the continual care of his mother, Mary, at his crucifixion.
“That same compassion that he felt for his mother, he feels for every parent here, and he will succor them,” Makura said in the release. “I believe he is with us.”
Modipa Sekhonyana, father of one of the victims, thanked those who have supported him since last month’s fiery accident and asked for God’s blessings for all present.
“Let us find joy in the teachings of Jesus Christ,” Sekhonyana said. “Let us raise our eyes on him. Let us look to him. Family will come to an end [in this life]. Friends will come to an end. But the Lord remains the same today and forever. May the peace of Christ abide with each one of you today.”
Saturday’s joint funeral followed a Wednesday memorial service, which drew grieving families, dignitaries, church leaders, government representatives and community members.
(The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) About 3,000 people gathered on the sunny but chilly grounds of Maputsoe Sports Stadium in Maputsoe, Lesotho, on Saturday, July 19, 2025, to honor and remember the individuals who lost their lives in late June 2025 while traveling to a church Young Women activity.
(The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) About 3,000 people gathered on the sunny but chilly grounds of Maputsoe Sports Stadium in Maputsoe, Lesotho, on Saturday, July 19, 2025, to honor and remember the individuals who lost their lives in late June 2025 while traveling to a church Young Women activity.