Khereng Khereng – A Hero In The Making

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Khereng Khereng

24 years ago, in a rural village called T’sitsa, Sehlabeng Sa Thuathe in Berea, a hero was born. The fortunate parents of this young man did not know that two decades later, their son would be a philanthropist in Lesotho. He sets the bar so high by consistently and selflessly serving his country through community service.

Regardless of the odds, he has relentlessly done so much for his country at such a young age. This hero, this selfless and driven individual, is a man called Khereng Nelson Khereng.

Khereng graduated from the National University of Lesotho in 2020 as valedictorian. He majored in BA. Humanities (Development Studies and Cultural Heritage). His love for philanthropy started from a young age and he subsequently started his journey through volunteering with the Lesotho National Olympic Community under a program called Africa Youth Ambassadors.

He worked there as peer educator and mentor to young boys and herd-boys. Little did Khereng know that as he worked to serve his community, seeds to establish his own organization were being planted in him.

In his exact words, “It was the very experience as an ambassador that made me become keen to contribute towards youth empowerment hence the subsequent birth of my youth organization called Transform Lesotho Initiative.”

According to Khereng, the organization aims to maximize youth impact in social areas. In addition, it’s core vision is to encourage youth to actively participate in voicing out the prevalence of social injustices which will ultimately reduce existing inequalities.

Khereng says, “I do not plan on liberating people, I only do my best to empower people to liberate themselves.’’

One of the epochal achievements of Khereng’s organization was the #BACHASHUTDOWN protest wherein more than 100 Basotho youth protested against the lack of youth inclusion in our country. In addition, the movement was an outcry from the youth to the government of Lesotho to take significant strides in areas such as Gender Based Violence, LGBTQI+ rights, the NMDS reforms and the catastrophe of youth unemployment.

Out of this very protest, Khereng was further inspired to get involved in a Voter Education Campaign primarily aimed at prompting the youth to vote in the 2022 elections.

Khereng, like many heroes has a program closest to his heart. He is a member of Young Adults Fighting In Depression. The reason he became part of it is because he is very much aware that mental illness is not taken seriously in Lesotho. As a result, many people suffer in silence to avoid the stigmatization of being “attention-seekers” and the likes.

It is incredible to have a young leader like Khereng in Lesotho. The one thing that makes him a unique leader is his perspective on controversial issues. He thinks like a ‘mini’ Barack Obama because much like the former USA president, Khereng leads from the heart. He places value on everything he does and maybe that’s his magic power, who knows?

In the words of  The Go Giver author Bob Burg, “The key to stratospheric success is mostly determined by the value you place on the things you give to other people.” Khereng, being a perfect example of insistently placing value on the things he does is guaranteed to succeed. In conclusion, all we can say from Selibeng is this; “Watch Out World, A Man Called Khereng Is Coming.”

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Grace Makwaza
Grace is an uprising youth activist who uses her voice to inspire and inform. She has worked internationally as the Deputy Secretary General with Model UN Impact. This is where she advocated for youth inclusivity in the implementation of the SDGs and further launched projects such as PHAHAMA MOSALI. She is currently the youngest SDGs Ambassador for the internationally renowned Global Citizens Innovative Solutions SDGs Challenge.