The Lesotho Defence Force (LDF), Brigadier (Brig) ’Matumelo Ramoqopo has been promoted to the rank of Major General (Maj Gen) with effect from 01 March 2023. The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Lieutenant General (Lt Gen) Mojalefa Letsoela gave the newly promoted Maj Gen directives on her new appointment on the 07 March 2023 at the LDF Headquarters, Ratjomose Barracks whereby the General Staff and Senior officers witnessed the ceremony.
Maj Gen Ramoqopo is the first female officer in the LDF to be promoted to the afore-mentioned rank. The first female officer to command King’s Birthday Parade, Gen Ramoqopo is also the first high ranking female officer in the LDF to have gone thus far regarding promotions. She was commissioned in 2000 into the Military Health Services.
Joining the army in 1986, the Maj Gen has attended and successfully completed various courses. The General is an alumna of Nanjing Army Command and Staff College, China, pursuing Senior Command & Staff Course. She is also an alumna of the Zimbabwe Command and Staff College, Harare in the Republic of Zimbabwe pursuing Junior Command & Staff Course. She also attended Medical and Logistics Management for Officers and Strategic Course in Army Medical Department in the USA for Future African Leaders in 2002 and 2008 respectively. The General further attended varied courses both Nationally and Internationally including: International Humanitarian Law and Defence Attaché Course in Lesotho in 1999 and 2015 respectively, Peacekeeping Course for Staff Officers and Peacekeeping Course for Battalion Commanders, in Zimbabwe 2012 and 2013 respectively and Legal Cadre, Lesotho in 2005 among others.
The General is a graduate of the National Health Training College and Queen Elizabeth II Nursing School. Her credentials include a Diploma in General Nursing at Queen Elizabeth II Nursing School in 1990, a Diploma in Midwifery in 1991 and a Diploma in Nursing Anaesthesia in 1997 at National Health Training College.
In a distinguished military career exceeding three decades, the General was appointed the ACOS Military Health Services in 2016. Prior to becoming a Director MHS for five years from 2010 to 2015, she became a Nurse Midwife and a Nurse Anaesthetist. The General's executive duties include serving as Defence Attaché in an AU Mission in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 2016 to 2017.
The General's decorations include Military Medal for Meritorious Service (MMMS) and Military Service Medal (MSM) (10, 20 & 30 years). She was also awarded Best Non-Zimbabwe Defence Force (ZDF) Student Award by Zimbabwe Command & Staff College in 2007, Best Woman Achiever in LDF Award by Moafrika FM in 2011 and Best Woman Achiever Award by St Felix Church in 2018.
