SEEISO URGES NATION TO FIGHT SPREAD OF HIV/AIDS

The Chief of Matsieng Chief Seeiso Bereng Seeiso has urged all Basotho to join hands in the fight against the spread of the   HIV/AIDS. Speaking at the Morija Arts and Cultural Festival in Morija on Saturday, Chief Seeiso indicated that every Mosotho has an obligation to assist in the fight of HIV/AIDS, a disease that is destroying the Basotho nation saying that reported cases of HIV/AIDS constitute 31% of the nation.

Chief of Matsieng Chief Seeiso Bereng Seeiso addressing the public at the Morija Arts and Cultural festival. (pic.L.Mphafi)

He said for along time the Government of Lesotho has embarked on various projects as a means of alerting people on the danger of HIV/AIDS, saying that those are not enough hence the real education on the disease should begin with family education.
Chief Seeiso said family education provides allowance for the youths to learn of the disease at an early stage, adding that this offers an opportunity for the youths to choose lives that will bear them a brighter future.

He appealed to the nation to take the disease seriously, saying that at the moment children in Lesotho live as orphans while active people who could contribute to the country's development die of the disease. He indicated that the Morija Cultural festival should, therefore, serve its purpose and bring the nation together for positive achievements, more especially the fight against the spread of the deadly disease HIV/AIDS.

At the occasion, the chief of Morija Chief Ranthomeng Matete welcomed all to Morija saying that the Morija Festival has made great strides forward as many individuals, companies and Government ministries gave of their time and resources in order to make a festival a success. He thanked the Morija community for keeping peace ever since the beginning of the festival on Thursday, adding that the good behaviour will assist in the attraction of local people as well as tourists to the annual festival.

He urged people, especially the youths to celebrate the festival with good manners, and to avoid getting into activities that may be regrettable in future, putting much emphasis on the issue of HIV/AIDS spread. He commended the youth for refraining from drugs and alcohol abuse, saying such cases of abuse have declined when compared to last year. In the meantime, the fourth ceremony of the annual Morija Arts and Cultural festival was attended by the King Letsie III, Cabinet Ministers, members of Diplomatic Corps and senior Government officials.

05 October,2002