Order of Lesotho

{{Infobox order

|name= Order of Lesotho

|image =
File:Most Courteours Order of Lesotho (1987).gif

|caption = Current ribbon bar of the order

|image2 = File:Most Courteous Order of Lesotho (1972-1987).gif

|caption2 = Previous ribbon bar of the order (1972-1987)

|type= Order of merit

|eligibility= Mosotho citizens and foreign nationals

|for= For meritorious service by Lesotho citizens and foreign nationals

|grades= Grand Commander
Commander
Officer

|awarded_by= {{LSO}}

|head_title= Grand Master

|head= King of Lesotho

|established= 1972

}}

The Most Courteous Order of Lesotho is the highest national order in the honours system of Lesotho.{{cite web|url=http://www.olddailynews.gov.bw/cgi-bin/news.cgi?d=20040420 |website=olddailynews.gov.bw |publisher= Botswana |title= Lesotho admires Mogae's leadership |date=April 20, 2004 |access-date=April 15, 2017}} It was founded by King Moshoeshoe II of Lesotho in 1972, in three grades.{{cite web|url=http://www.medals.org.uk/lesotho/lesotho002.htm |website=medals.org.uk |title=Lesotho: Most Courteous Order of Lesotho |access-date= April 15, 2017}}

Insignia

The original ribbon for the order was predominantly dark blue, with narrow edges of red and green. In 1987, the ribbon was changed to feature a lighter blue, with edges of green and edge stripes of white, mimicking the colors of the nation's flag.{{cite web|url=http://www.coleccionesmilitares.com/cintas/africa/lesotho1.gif |website=coleccionesmilitares.com |title=Kingdom of Lesotho |last=Prieto |first=Antonio |access-date=April 15, 2017}} The badge of the order is a metal facsimile of the Mosotho coat of arms, with the horses enameled in orange with black manes, and the central shield featuring a green enameled crocodile.

Notable recipients

Bill Clinton{{cite journal |url=https://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2006/09/18/8386185/index.htm |title=The power of philanthropy |journal=Fortune |last= McLean |first= Bethany |date= September 7, 2006 |volume=154 |issue=6 |pages=82-4, 86-8, 90 passim |pmid=17036727 |access-date= April 15, 2017}}
Festus Mogae{{cite web |url=http://governance.berggruen.org/members/253 |title=F.G. Mogae 21st Century Council |website=governance.berggruen.org |publisher=Berggruen Institute |access-date=April 15, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170416044930/http://governance.berggruen.org/members/253 |archive-date=April 16, 2017 |url-status=dead }}
Kenneth Kaunda{{cite web |url=http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WL0610/S01576/cablegate-lesotho-celebrates-40-years-of-independence.htm |website=scoop.co.nz |publisher=Scoop Independent News |title= Lesotho Celebrates 40 Years of Independence |date= October 10, 2006 |access-date= April 15, 2017}}
Nelson Mandela{{cite web |url=http://db.nelsonmandela.org/tributes_new/pub_view.asp?pg=results&opt=guided1&strGenre=National%20Honours |title=Tributes search options |website=nelsonmandela.org |publisher=The Nelson Mandela Foundation |access-date=April 15, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161001160158/http://db.nelsonmandela.org/tributes_new/pub_view.asp?pg=results&opt=guided1&strGenre=National%20Honours |archive-date=October 1, 2016 |url-status=dead }}

References

Category:Orders, decorations, and medals of Lesotho

Category:Awards established in 1972