Oblates bid farewell to Fr Constantine Lekhotla Nthethe

Fr Constantine Lekhotla Nthethe

By Bokang Tsoanamatsie – The Oblates of Mary Immaculate Fathers in the Province of Lesotho conducted a requiem Mass in honour of the late Fr Constantine Lekhotla Nthethe OMI.

Fr Nthethe served as the Parish Priest of St Louis Parish in Matsieng and passed away on April 28, 2025. He was well-known for his humour, kindness, and dedication.

Fr Lekhotla was born to Mr Manamolela Nthethe and Mrs Mamotsabi Nthethe in the village of Ha Sekake Christ the King, located in Qacha’s Nek. After completing his primary education, he attended Holy Rosary Minor Seminary in the Diocese of Qacha’s Nek. In 1987, Fr Nthethe joined the Oblates of Mary Immaculate congregation, beginning his pre-novitiate in the Diocese of Leribe, and was admitted to the novitiate at Villa Maria in Quthing in 1988.

He professed his first vows at Villa Maria in 1989. Following his novitiate, he pursued studies in theology and philosophy at Roma Scholasticate. In 1994, he made his final vows at Roma Parish and was ordained to the priesthood in 1998.

Fr Nthethe dedicated 31 years to religious life and was nearing the completion of 27 years in the priesthood. Throughout his ministry, he served in various parishes across Lesotho, including St James Mokhotlong, St Theresa Mashai, St Rose Peka, St Rodrigue Ha Shoaepane, St Gerard in Mafeteng, St Mark in Ha Mofoka, and as an assistant bursar at Oblate House, ultimately serving at St Louis Parish until his untimely passing.

He also participated in international missions in Tseseng at Qwa Qwa within the Bethlehem Diocese of South Africa and in Paraguay, South America, at General Artigas. Affectionately known as Motaung among his fellow Oblates and Tau to his friends, Fr Nthethe was laid to rest at the Oblates of Mary Immaculate cemetery in Mazenod, Regina Mundi, within the Archdiocese of Maseru. Numerous religious orders and lay faithful gathered to pay their respects and bid him farewell. May his soul, along with the souls of all the departed faithful, rest in eternal peace.