Bernice Tlalane Mohapeloa

Bernice Tlalane Mohapeloa BEM (1899–1997) was a Lesotho educator and activist.

Early life Born Nee Morolong in Mafeteng, she received her primary education there, passing her standard six examinations in 1913. The next year she began teacher training at Thabana Morena Girls' School, completing the course in 1915, and in the same year she went to South Africa to attend Lovedale High School. Receiving her junior certificate in 1918, she went to Fort Hare University College in 1919, obtaining her teacher's diploma in 1922.

Career She taught at Tiger Kloof School and then at Indana Industrial School for Girls in Natal. When appointed principal of Mafeteng Intermediate School in 1929, she became the first Basotho woman to hold this position. She introduced Girl Guiding to the school.

In 1942, Mohapeloa returned to Basutoland. In 1943, she began teaching at Basutoland High School. From 1944 until her official retirement in 1955, she taught at St Catherine's Girls Industrial School. She was president of the Association from 1945 to 1983. In the 1950s, there were approximately 3000 members in more than 100 clubs within the Association and there were over 13,000 members and 200 clubs after independence. in the same year becoming the first African woman to receive the Dorothy Cadbury Fellowship. She received the Order of Ramatseatsana from the government of Lesotho and an honorary doctorate from the National University of Lesotho in 1991.