Letsie III

Birth Name: David Mohato Bereng Seeiso

Place of Birth: Scott Hospital Morija, Morija, Basutoland (now Lesotho)

Date of Birth: 17 July, 1963

Ethnicity: Basotho

Letsie III is the King of Lesotho, who has served since 7 February, 1996.

Letsie’s patrilineal ancestry can be traced back to his seventh great-grandfather, Chief Peete.

Letsie’s father, Moshoeshoe II of Lesotho (born Constantine Bereng Seeiso), served as King of Lesotho, from 4 October, 1966 to 12 November, 1990, and again, from 25 January, 1995 to 15 January, 1996, his death. Letsie’s mother, Queen consort ‘Mamohato of Lesotho (born Tabitha ‘Masentle Lerotholi Mojela), was the daughter of Chief of Tsakholo. Letsie is married to Queen consort ‘Masenate Mohato Seeiso (born Anna Karabo Motšoeneng), with whom he has three children.

Letsie’s paternal grandfather was Seeiso of Basutoland (the son of Nathaniel Griffith Lerotholi and Sebueng). Seeiso, full name Simon Seeiso Griffith, was Paramount Chief of Basutoland, from 23 June, 1939 to 26 December, 1940. Nathaniel was also Paramount Chief of Basutoland, and was the son of Letsie II, Paramount Chief of Basutoland, and of Maneella ‘Maletšabisa. Sebueng was the daughter of Chief Nkuebe Letsie.

Letsie’s paternal grandmother was named ‘Mabereng.

Letsie’s maternal grandfather was Lerotholi Mojela, Chief of Tsakholo (the son of Mojela Letsie, Chief of Tsakholo). Letsie’s great-grandfather Mojela was the son of Letsie I, Paramount Chief of Basutoland.

Source: Genealogy of Letsie III – http://members.iinet.net.au