‘Basotho must return to King Moshoeshoe I’s teachings’

Nthatuoa Koeshe

BASOTHO have become a dismembered society because they have forsaken the teachings of King Moshoeshoe I, Roman Catholic Church Arch Bishop Tlali Gerard Lerotholi has said.

Arch Bishop Lerotholi said this on Wednesday during the Moshoeshoe’s Day celebrations in Thaba Bosiu.

The commemorations were attended by King Letsie III, who, as per the norm, laid wreaths on the tomb of the King Moshoeshoe I. He was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Monyane Moleleki and the Principal Chiefs of Makhoakhoa, Bataung and Batlokoa.

The life King Moshoeshoe I is celebrated on 11 March annually. He died on 11 March 1870 and since…the day has been set aside to commemorate his life.

Regarded as a great diplomat and revered leader, King Moshoeshoe I worked for the preservation of his country’s peace, language, art and culture through the documentation he made with European missionaries using Sesotho.

To begin the celebrations on Wednesday, His Majesty King Letsie III, received the royal salute and inspected a guard of honour.

As part of the commemorative service conducted by the Christian Council of Lesotho, Arch Bishop Lerotholi said Basotho should take Moshoeshoe’s Day to remember the peace that Moshoeshoe I promoted.

Arch Bishop Lerotholi said it was imperative to bring back peace among Basotho and urged leaders to work towards the improvement of the country.

“This is a day to remember with respect of the legacy that King Moshoeshoe I left us,” Arch Bishop Lerotholi said.

“We are no longer proud to be called Basotho because of the shame we carry and it’s time we start praying for this country so that we bring the old peaceful Lesotho back. Let’s look back and see where we went wrong so that we fix our wrongs going forward.”

Entertainment was provided by schools like Letsie and Leqele High School, modeling agencies and government departments such as Home Affairs.

Although the celebrations went relatively well, some lamented that the event was fast losing its relevance among Basotho.

Letsie High School teacher, Tsokotsa ‘Mote, told the Xpress People that the organisation of the event was poor as it failed to give students adequate time to perform despite preparing for several weeks.

He said the development demotivated the students and teachers who worked tirelessly to make the event enjoyable.

“It seems like the people in charge of the programme were in a hurry and they cut out lots acts that could have helped the learners with their understanding of Sesotho,” Mote said.

He said the celebrations should take the whole day to ensure that all the participants get time to perform.

‘Mampho Ntlama from Thaba Bosiu told the Xpress People the manner in which the celebrations had changed. She said the celebrations have become shorter over the years.

“Back in the day, people would come from all over the country and spend the whole day here and we would look forward to the celebrations but that has changed. It is heartbreaking that theevent is taken so lightly,” Ntlama said.