Thousands gather for funeral of LDS Church members killed in Lesotho crash

MAPUTSOE, Lesotho (ABC4) — Around 3,000 people gathered at the Maputsoe Sports Stadium in Lesotho on Saturday to remember the individuals who died in a crash in June while heading to a Church Young Women activity.

Among those remembered were ten members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who were leaders and young women in the local congregation. A total of 15 people were killed in the crash that occured on June 21.

Elder Siyabonga Mkhize, an Area Seventy from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, speaks on Saturday, July 19, 2025, at a funeral service in Maputsoe, Lesotho, for those who tragically lost their lives in late June 2025 while traveling to a Church Young Women activity. “We say to you, have hope through the Lord Jesus Christ that those that we have lost are in a state of peace and in a state of rest,” Elder Mkhize said. (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, Lesotho, for those who tragically lost their lives in late June 2025 while traveling to a Church Young Women activity. She 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)
Approximately 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 tragically lost their lives in late June 2025 while traveling to a Church Young Women activity. (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
Approximately 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 tragically lost their lives in late June 2025 while traveling to a Church Young Women activity. (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
Approximately 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 tragically lost their lives in late June 2025 while traveling to a Church Young Women activity. (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
Approximately 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 tragically lost their lives in late June 2025 while traveling to a Church Young Women activity. (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
Approximately 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 tragically lost their lives in late June 2025 while traveling to a Church Young Women activity. (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
Approximately 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 tragically lost their lives in late June 2025 while traveling to a Church Young Women activity. (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
Approximately 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 tragically lost their lives in late June 2025 while traveling to a Church Young Women activity. (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, Lesotho, for those who tragically lost their lives in late June 2025 while traveling to a Church Young Women activity. He said his prayer is that “the Savior might comfort and be with” those who died. To the Church, he said, “we offer our condolences. We share in your pain and loss.” (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
Approximately 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 tragically lost their lives in late June 2025 while traveling to a Church Young Women activity. (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
Approximately 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 tragically lost their lives in late June 2025 while traveling to a Church Young Women activity. (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
Approximately 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 tragically lost their lives in late June 2025 while traveling to a Church Young Women activity. (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)

A memorial service was held on Wednesday prior to the funeral service. Among those in attendance for Saturday’s services were church leaders and leaders in the Lesotho government. Prime Minister Ntsokoane Samuel Matekane was among those who gave remarks during the service.

“I give my undivided respect to all families who have been affected by this tragedy,” Matekane said. “We pray for those who are affected by this horrible tragedy. We are here to mourn with those that mourn. Our country is a great loss. It is a painful time.”

The Church released the names of all those who were killed in the crash, and all of them were honored during Saturday’s funeral service: