Lesotho: Order of Achievement

[Megan]

Instituted 1972 in at least 3 grades, this is the 3rd Class or Companion badge.

[James Hoard]

The ribbon in the picture posted above seems to be incorrect or at least outdated.

http://www.trc.org.ls/images/events_pictures/profambrose032006.jpg

The following details on Lesotho orders courtesy of Christopher Buyers and recent searches on the internet.

The Most Dignified Order of Moshoeshoe: founded by King Mosheshoe II in 1972 as the supreme dignity of the kingdom. Conferred on citizens of Lesotho and foreigners for distinguished leadership, particularly in the political sphere, in a single class (Knight Commander-KMDOM).

The Most Courteous Order of Lesotho: founded by King Mosheshoe II in 1972 as the principal order of the kingdom, conferred for exceptional services by citizens and foreigners. Awarded in three classes (1. Knight Commander-KMCOL, 2. Commander-CMCOL, and 3. Officer-OMCOL).

The Most Loyal Order of Ramat?eatsana: founded by King Mosheshoe II in 1972 as an award for distinguished service by members of the public service, armed forced and police. Awarded in three classes (1. Knight Commander-KCOR, 2. Commander-CMLOR, and 3. Officer-OMLOR).

The Most Meritorious Order of Mohlomi: founded by King Mosheshoe II in 1972 as an award to recognise achievement in the fields of community and social service. Awarded in four classes (1. Knight Commander-KMMOM, 2. Commander-CMMOM, 3. Officer-OMMOM, and 4. Member-MMMOM).

The titles of the orders or subsidiary titles given in Werlich seem to be the product of that author's misunderstanding with regard to the preamble titles and mottoes. There appears to be no "Order of Achievement". Rather, the order pictured is "The Most Meritoriosu Order of Mohlomi" which is awarded "for achievement" and has these words around its central design, on the badge and the breast star. Similar errors apply to Werlich in regard to his so-called "Order of Dignity" (actually The Most Dignified Order of Moshoeshoe) and his "Distinguished Service Order" (actually The Most Loyal Order of Ramat?eatsana).

The Lesotho orders were created with considerable advice from Sir Conrad Swann, Garter King-at-Arms, who was also responsible for advising on the establishment of the Order of Canada, Queen's Service Order of New Zealand, etc.

Cheers,

James

[Arthur R]

The ribbon in the picture posted above seems to be incorrect or at least outdated.

Outdated, perhaps - Lesotho has changed its flag in recent years, and its current flag is green, white and blue. The original flag was blue, white, green, and red.

[IVB]

2002. Kofi Annan received The Most Courteous Order of Lesotho (KMCOL).

[Megan]

When instituted in 1972, this order had a dark blue ribbon edged with narrow stripes of green and red - so again there seems to have been an alteration to match the colours of the new national flag.

So Arthur's suggestion of an outdated ribbon seems likely to be correct. Does anyone know the date on which the flag was changed?

[Ed_Haynes]

1966-87 - the blue, red, green, white flag

1987-2006 - the white, blue, green, gold flag

2006-- - the blue, white, green, black flag (from October 2006)

See: http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/ls.html

[Megan]

Thanks Ed... but that's quite interesting because your information states that the current blue, white and green flag was introduced in 2006, while IVB's picture is dated 2002.

James, do you have a date for your picture?

Between us we'll find out what's going on....

[James Hoard]

Thanks Ed... but that's quite interesting because your information states that the current blue, white and green flag was introduced in 2006, while IVB's picture is dated 2002.

James, do you have a date for your picture?

Between us we'll find out what's going on....

Sorry, I thought the link would take one back to the actual article rather than the picture.

Professor Ambrose was invested during the King's Birthday celebrations on 14th July 2006.

At least the ribbon of the principal order, The Order of Moshoeshoe, does not seem to have changed. Herewith the King wearing his insignia during the King of Thailand's Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

Cheers,

James

[heusy68]

Sorry, I thought the link would take one back to the actual article rather than the picture.

Professor Ambrose was invested during the King's Birthday celebrations on 14th July 2006.

At least the ribbon of the principal order, The Order of Moshoeshoe, does not seem to have changed. Herewith the King wearing his insignia during the King of Thailand's Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

Cheers,

James

I agree,concerning ribbon of Lesotho they have change them ( somewhen 4 to 10 years ago ).

Skinner Company who manufactured the Order of Lesotho in the 70ies,80ies did not manufacture them anymore.

Emmanuel

[heusy68]

Here is Lesotho Order of Ramatseatsana ( officers rank ).

As long as I know at origin the Orders of Lesotho were in 3 grades and insignas were as this :

Knight Commander ( corresponding to +/- G.B.E ).

Commander ( corresponding to +/- C.B.E.)

Officer ( corresponding to +/- M.B.E.)

I took corresponding with Order of the Bristih Empire,because it's a well known award that everyone know.

I saw ounce an Order of Mohlomi ( reported as Achievment Order in the Wherlich,which is an error ),as a breast badge (only silvered),with same ribbon colour as the one posted by Megan which is actually a Commander.

From the picture of the Professor who was awarded Order of the Mohlomi in 2006,it is clear that they have change the ribbon coulour to match with their change of flag.And they might have introduced a garde of Commander with Star .... ? It's only a supposition for this last ones.

Emmanuel

[James Hoard]

Here is Lesotho Order of Ramatseatsana ( officers rank ).

As long as I know at origin the Orders of Lesotho were in 3 grades and insignas were as this :

Knight Commander ( corresponding to +/- G.B.E ).

Commander ( corresponding to +/- C.B.E.)

Officer ( corresponding to +/- M.B.E.)

I took corresponding with Order of the Bristih Empire,because it's a well known award that everyone know.

I saw ounce an Order of Mohlomi ( reported as Achievment Order in the Wherlich,which is an error ),as a breast badge (only silvered),with same ribbon colour as the one posted by Megan which is actually a Commander.

From the picture of the Professor who was awarded Order of the Mohlomi in 2006,it is clear that they have change the ribbon coulour to match with their change of flag.And they might have introduced a garde of Commander with Star .... ? It's only a supposition for this last ones.

Emmanuel,

Many thanks for posting this rare decoration.

In Lesotho only the highest order, The Most Dignified Order of Moshoeshoe, has a sash and is equivalent to a Grand Cross award. All the others have the highest class as Knight Commander with breast star and badge on a necklet.

The Most Dignified Order of Moshoeshoe: founded by King Mosheshoe II in 1972 as the supreme dignity of the kingdom. Conferred on citizens of Lesotho and foreigners for distinguished leadership, particularly in the political sphere, in a single class (Knight Commander-KMDOM).

The Most Courteous Order of Lesotho: founded by King Mosheshoe II in 1972 as the principal order of the kingdom, conferred for exceptional services by citizens and foreigners. Awarded in three classes (1. Knight Commander-KMCOL, 2. Commander-CMCOL, and 3. Officer-OMCOL).

The Most Loyal Order of Ramat?eatsana: founded by King Mosheshoe II in 1972 as an award for distinguished service by members of the public service, armed forced and police. Awarded in three classes (1. Knight Commander-KCOR, 2. Commander-CMLOR, and 3. Officer-OMLOR).

The Most Meritorious Order of Mohlomi: founded by King Mosheshoe II in 1972 as an award to recognise achievement by the fields of community and social service. Awarded in four classes (1. Knight Commander-KMMOM, 2. Commander-CMMOM, 3. Officer-OMMOM, and 4. Member-MMMOM).

The Most Gallant Order of Mokoanyane: founded by King Mosheshoe II in 1972 to recognise extreme acts of gallantry and bravery by members of the uniformed services and civilians alike. Awarded in three classes (1. Knight Commander-KMGOM, 2. Commander-CMGOM, and 3. Officer-OMGOM).

Since the Order of Mohlomi has a Member class, the Officer grade with be equivalent to OBE in the British system.

The English titles given in Werlich are all a bit of eye-wash. He has taken the mottoes which appear on the insignia of the various orders and turned them into names. Like saying the Victoria Cross is the "Order of Valour" or the Order of the British Empire is the "Order of God and the Empire".

The Sotho names have completely different significance. Mohlomi, for example, is the name of a famous chief who taught the young Moshoeshoe the art of compromise, self-restraint and self-sacrifice, compassion for the poor and justice for the powerless. Mokoanyane, was a brave and heroic chief of Nguni origin and Moshoeshoe's famous general.

Cheers,

James