Roger Federer’s Surprise Visit: Supporting Tennis Aspirations and Early Childhood Development in Lesotho

Swiss tennis superstar Roger Federer made a surprise visit to young aspiring tennis players in Maseru, Lesotho, during his recent trip to assess the progress of development programmes he supports in the country. The nation’s capital, Maseru continues to be a key tourist destination home to accommodation providers the likes of Avani Lesotho Hotel & Casino. Apart from staying at the best hotels in Mesaru, travellers also have the option of getting involved in local charities that support community development and empowerment. Through his RF Foundation, Federer has generously donated an estimated M60 million to the Network for Early Childhood Development of Lesotho (NECDOL), in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET), to support the country’s early childhood care and development sub-sector. NECDOL, a non-profit voluntary association, is implementing the School Readiness Initiative, which aims to provide equitable access to quality reception classes for vulnerable children, particularly from rural communities. By 2025, the initiative plans to reach 800 reception class institutions nationwide, and so far, 166 primary schools with reception classes and six Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) centres have benefited from the program. Federer’s visit serves as a firsthand assessment of the progress made by the School Readiness Initiative, highlighting the collaboration between his foundation, NECDOL, and MOET in providing a strong foundation for young children entering formal schooling.