The Minister of Justice, Human Rights and Rehabilitation, and also the President of the Lesotho National League of the Visually Impaired Persons (LNLVIP) Mr. Refiloe Masemene has appealed to the public to be friendly to tourists who visit Lesotho, to ensure the development of eco-tourism in the country.

Mr. Masemene strongly abhorred the practices of shepards and herd boys who attack foreign tourists with dogs and throw stones at them, saying such practices do not comply with the peace building principle of the founder of the Basotho nation which said "Never say to a bushman you are a bushman". Minister Masememe said this when receiving  on behalf of the association, a donation of M7 000 which has been drawn from the proceeds generated from the Tour de Lesotho Cycle race held in April this year. The cheque was presented at a ceremony held at Mohloli oa Bophelo Training Centre, on Thursday 07 November,2002.

The Minister and Chairman of LNLVIP however expressed his certainty that the blind persons are not among the culprits of such practices because their visual impairment enables them to distinguish between tourists and other people living within their communities. Mr. Masemene further thanked the sponsors of the cycle race saying they were showing their social responsibility through the donation. He said the money will be used for the development and welfare of visually impaired persons. He said many of them are individuals who lack skills to unlock their various talents that can be highly recognised for participation and contribution in the development of the country's economy.

The Chairperson of the race's organising committee, Mr. Andries Bester said just like the cyclists who participated in the race challenged the Maluti Mountains and overcame them, the people with visual defects are challenged by what, other people, accept as normal. He said these challenges are accepted and challenged by people with ability to succeed. Mr. Bester indicated that it was therefore a pleasure to hand the cheque over to the organisation and expressed hope that the money will assist in improving the standard of living for the visually impaired persons. The race was sponsored by about 20 local and  companies.

07 November,2002