King Letsie III will deliver a keynote address at the commemoration of the day of the African Child that will be held at Matsieng on Thursday 15 August, 2002. In an interview, the information officer in the ministry of Gender, Youth and Sports, Miss Refiloe Polaki said the theme of the day is "CHILD PROTECTION AGAINST ABUSE".

Miss Polaki stated that the day is marked with the aim of sensitizing the public about children's rights after discovering that children are abused by among others, their parents as well as other members of the community. She made an example of rape whereby children have become victims of rape in an alarming rate, saying some are even raped by their biological fathers. She stated that it has been noticed that some of the children are denied access to education as a fundamental foundation to their bright future, due to other family businesses like looking after animals.

Miss Polaki further said at the commemoration, two children representatives namely Selloane Tsikoane and Lehlohonolo Sefumba are expected to make presentations on how they observe the situation in the country as far as the protection of children is concerned. She further said the ministry of Law; Constitution and Parliamentary
Affairs will also address the commemoration about the situation of legal protection of children in the country.

She mentioned that the day will be marked by traditional songs and dances, that will be performed by the community as well as students of the schools around Matsieng area.
The commemoration of the day of the African child was marked since 1993 in Lesotho, while it was agreed by the Organization for African Unity (OAU), now transformed to African Union (AU) that the day should be commemorated in all African countries in 1988.

13 August, 2002