KING Letsie III has called on Basotho to imbue the peace-loving and leadership legacy of Moshoeshoe I which made the founding monarch not only an icon in Lesotho, but internationally.
His Majesty made the remark while unveiling the Moshoeshoe I Statue at Thaba-Bosiu Cultural Village on Friday.
The statue was built in 2010 at a cost of M1.5 million to honour Moshoeshoe I, who brought together several scattered groups of Sotho people to form the Basotho nation.
The unveiling ceremony was part of the ongoing 50th independence celebrations and attended by Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili among other senior government officials and dignitaries. Lesotho attained independence from Britain on 4 October 1966.
King Letsie III said Moshoeshoe I was renowned for being a peace-loving monarch and nation-builder. He said Basotho should follow suit by living together in unity.
“Our forefathers and mothers used to work together and shared what they had through cooperation,” His Majesty said.
“Due to his leadership skills, Moshoeshoe I welcomed missionaries who brought Christianity among other foreigners.”
King Letsie III also urged Basotho to remain mindful of their roots and to regard the statue as well as cultural village as emblems of national unity and peace.
In his remarks, Principal Chief of Thaba-Bosiu Chief Khoabane Letsie Theko said the unveiling of the statue was a momentous event in the history of the nation.
He, however, expressed disappointment for the poor attendance at the unveiling ceremony, saying Basotho in general and residents of surrounding villages should have attended the event in numbers.
Meanwhile, King Letsie III yesterday launched the Independence Walk in Maseru which began in the city centre and ended at Thaba-Bosiu Cultural Village.
Accompanied by Queen ‘Masenate Mohato Seeiso, His Majesty waved the national flag to kick-start the walk, in which a number of government ministers, principal secretaries and other senior government officials participated.
Prior to the launch, Home Affairs Minister, Advocate Lekhetho Rakuoane, said the Independence Walk afforded Basotho the opportunity to walk in Moshoeshoe I’s footsteps to his fortress in Thaba-Bosiu. – Staff Writer/LeNA
Comments are closed.