…Lesotho celebrates 200 years of its founding
As part of the celebrations marking 200 years since Lesotho was founded, His Majesty King Letsie III engaged in a thoughtful and informative question-and-answer session, reflecting on the nation’s past, present, and future.
The session, held in Maseru today (on Wednesday), provided a platform for the King to address a wide range of topics, including the country’s achievements, challenges, and aspirations.
Lesotho institutions and youth representatives gathered together for the question-and-answer session that was meant to shed light to the youth about who they are as part of the Basotho nation.
His Majesty stated that King Moshoeshoe I gave birth to the Basotho nation in 1820, and clans such as Batloung, Bakoena, Bahlakoana, Bafokeng and many more clans came together to build the Basotho nation.
“In this month of March, we celebrate and acknowledge the death of King Moshoeshoe I, also celebrating 200 years since the inception of Basotho”, he narrated.
He mentioned that in the 200 years celebration, Lesotho gives thanks to God that he protected King Moshoeshoe I to rescue his nation from brutality of Britain.
His Majesty stressed that Basotho with the help of Matebele came together to fight the tribulations and helped King Moshoeshoe I to flee to Thaba-Bosiu.
“Our founder allowed himself to work together with Matebele because he knew that their help was all he needed to move from Butha-Buthe,” he unraveled.
Moreover, he stated that Basotho took part in two world wars, and afterwards it attained its independence in 1966 and that is when the borders got established.
It is against this backdrop that His Majesty in his response to Lesotho Education student Tumane Sejane, on why Basotho celebrate King Moshoeshoe I’s death, he indicated that it is a way of acknowledging him and helping us remember who we are as a nation.
“This kind of celebration helps our children know about King Moshoeshoe I and on that almost all schools celebrate it with different activities that are based on Basotho cultures”, he added.
Whilst addressing the issue tourism development in the country, a question for a student at Lerotholi Polytechnic Thabo Ncheke, His Majesty stated that there amongst other things, the Moshoeshoe walk held every year is part of the activities that enhance tourism in the country.
He said this year there is an icing on the cake as such festivities will be held alongside the 200years celebration, thereof, more tourists will be coming in large numbers in the country unlike in the previous years.
Considering what Lesotho has achieved since it was founded- a question from Malefetsane Masupha, the King said one of the successes that Lesotho is proud of is simply being a country that is guided by the principles of peace, prosperity and unity.
Addressing some of the question from learners from different institutions, the Minister of Sports, Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Motlatsi Maqelepo says Moshoeshoe I celebration marks a significant milestone as Basotho helping us reflecting on the past and informing the future.
The Minister emphasised that the youth must consider this celebration important because in the future the youth now will need to teach and narrate Lesotho’s history to their kids.
Also, he stressed that the youth need to embrace technology in order to showcase Basotho’s culture.
Mr Maqelepo stated that the country is developing tourism through outstanding products to ensure that the tourist attractions countrywide are well known worldwide.
“Whilst showcasing our culture as Basotho, there will be different kinds of cultural activities throughout the year but specifically October has been ear-marked for such celebration,” Mr Maqelepo stated.
In response to why most schools in Lesotho have abounded teaching History as the only subject that would help learners know and embrace their history, the Minister of Education and Training, Prof Ntoi Rapapa stated that just like other subjects, some schools have History as an optional subject.
Prof Rapapa confirmed that only 20% of schools currently teach History.
“As the Minister of Education, it is according to the interest of schools to teach History and I already have request from schools to cancel the subject, rather encourage that it must be taught kids ‘respective homes”, he concluded.
The Minister of Sports and Tourism, as the session concluded, thanked the participants for their insightful questions and expressed optimism about Lesotho’s future. He urged all to continue working towards a better, more prosperous nation.