Lesotho Prime Minister, Pakalitha Mosisili officiated the inauguration of three Nature Reserves within the Phase 1A area of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) at a ceremony at Ts’ehlanyane National Park, Butha-Buthe district, Lesotho, Thursday, 16 May 2002.

Construction of the three Nature Reserves namely, Bokong Nature Reserve, Liphofung Cultural Heritage Site and Ts’ehlanyane National Park have been accomplished through funds provided by Government of Lesotho to the tune of Twenty Seven Million Maloti (M27 million).

The entire project encompasses the promotion of environmental conservation and eco-tourism, both of which are closely related to the overall development and use of water and land resources. One other important aspect of the project is to ensure community participation and consultation at all stages as most of the areas have been (previously) utilised by local communities for agricultural and grazing purposes.

The project consists of:

 a)                 Liphofung cave, Cultural Heritage site.

 The Liphofung  'place of cland' cave occupies an important place in the History of Lesotho.  It was a stopover and resting place of the founder of the Lesotho nation, ‘Morena’/King Moshoeshoe I and the Lesotho people when they migrated from Menkhoaneng, Butha-Buthe to Thaba – Bosiu, Maseru district.  Liphofung has an important rock art and a rich archaeological deposit of stone age implements, which is a living legacy or archaeological and historical architecture.  Overlooking the cave is a visitors centre incorporating display of Lesotho Culture and San Rock Art along with ablution facilities and a handcrafts shop containing wares from the local and other communities in Lesotho.

b)                 Ts’ehlanyane National Park

Over 5600 hectares of extremely rugged mountain terrain is protected within this park which includes one of the very few indigenous woodlands in Lesotho plants such as Cheche. The park includes a hostel type accommodation, camping facilities, traditional type accommodation, picnic sites for day visitors, hiking trails, pony trekking, small game viewing, bird watching, swimming in natural streams and unique flora and fauna of Lesotho.

c)                  Bokong Nature Reserve

The Bokong Nature Reserve comprises 1970 hectares of land at more than 3000 metres above sea level.  It is one of the highest nature reserves in Africa. An impressive center for the visitors has been developed on the edge of a 100 – metre cliff overlooking the Lepaqoa Valley to educate visitors on the ecology of the highlands. A hiking camp with traditional accommodation and a network of trails all the way to the Ts’ehlanyane National Park complete the facilities of the reserve.

The five – year project for the development and management of Phase 1A Nature Reserves was undertaken in consultation with and through participation of the affected and surrounding communities. The communities participated not only in the construction of the minor infrastructure developments, but the large reinforced contract structure and staff housing at Bokong were built by local Lesotho based contractors.

Where skills did not exist, for instance, tiling, plumbing and electrical work, local artisans were trained. All in all, 75 people were trained, 1000 people educated on conservation, over 200 temporary jobs were created while almost 75 permanent jobs were created. 

In the long term with these reserves, the Lesotho people will benefit from the sale of arts and crafts, vegetables, recreation, accommodation, catering, tourism and culture adventures.

*Source:  Lesotho Highlands Water Authority  -  20 May, 2002 

 ******

COMMUNITIES ENCOURAGED TO ENGAGE IN TOURISM

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony at Liphofung, Prime Minister Mosisili said, communities living in and around there should use the site to generate income to fight poverty; advising the community to come up with ideas that they would use to attract tourists; saying, "the community should consider the site a challenge to engage themselves in projects using the already available materials to make handcrafts go be sold to local and international tourists".  He indicated some of the artefacts the community could engage in as, the traditional Lesotho hat (mokorotlo), traditional leather wear and baskets; adding that, they could perform also traditional dances, games and songs to attract tourists.  

Mosisili said, Lesotho is a unique country topographically  -  almost all mountainous, with slopes and winding roads of which its people should take advantage for tourism.  Further, he appealed to the people of Lesotho to take part in development projects that are initiated by Government, Non-government Organizations and the LHWP as they are meant to develop lives; highlighting the importance of the Liphofung cave for a history it embodies to the Lesotho nation, for it being used as a stopover by Moshoeshoe I when visiting this part of the country. 

Speaking at the same occasion, the Chief answerable to among others, the Liphofung village, Chief/Morena Mopeli Qhobela appealed to the communities living in and around the Liphofung site to protect it since it is a way to facilitate their being self-employed.  Morena Qhobela encouraged the community to work even harder for even better output in their job in order to attracts tourists.

Prime Minister Mosisili and other visitors toured the Liphofung site, which comprises the typical-traditional Lesotho kitchen and bedroom.

These nature reserves being inaugurated got developed by the Lesotho Highlands Water Authority (LHDA), in conjunction with Earth Plan, with the objective of increasing the area of the country under conversation and providing alternative means of income generating opportunities for the rural communities.

**SOURCE:  The Ministry of Communications/Lesotho News Agency, 17 May, 2002 

NATURE RESERVES ARE IMPORTANT TO THE ECONOMY OF A COUNTRY.

The beauty and wonders of a nature reserve at Ts'ehlahlanyane National Park within six years of its making highlight tourism 'a tool for the development of Lesotho socially and economically'.  This is the view expressed by Prime Minister Mosisili, that which he shared with the majority of speakers at the inauguration at Ts'ehlanyane National Park..

Describing tourism as one form of social industry and a pillar for economic growth, Mosisili said, the nature reserves need visionary leadership that will ensure that the youth are equipped with travel and tourism skills for sustainable development.  He dwelled on the challenge evoked by the inauguration of the nature reserves, which is mainly the creation of jobs to reduce poverty and uplift the standard of living of the ordinary citizens.  He continued that, "with an aggressive promotion of the art and culture of Lesotho, in addition to the spectacular physical characteristics and nature of the country, the economy could be enhanced through tourism". 

Prime Minister Mosisili thanked the Management of the LHDA under which the nature reserves have been established with a number of social empowering projects that have helped to uplift the standard of living of the people.  He thanked also the Republic of South Africa, partner with Lesotho in the LHWP; also the donor community as well as the local communities for
making the entire project a success.

At his turn, the Chief Executive (acting) of the LHDA, Mr. Ramosehlana Mapetla reported that, these three projects of nature reserve have caused about M27 Million (Twenty Seven Million Maloti). He continued that, the inauguration of the entire project marks a milestone in the implementation of the LHWP; elaborating that, the reserves are among projects of the LHDA that are established to mitigate and compensate for a negative impact caused by the project on the livelihood of the locals with their resources.

Ts'ehlanyane National Park covers 6000 hectares of extremely rugged mountain terrain, embodying indigenous trees, plants and wild life. Activities and facilities available at the park include, camps and picnic sites, hiking trails, photographic opportunities and bird watching.

The Ts'ehlanyane community celebrated this opening of the national park with performances and exhibition of Lesotho arts and culture.

The inaugural ceremony of the three nature reserves was attended by among others, Diplomatic Corps and Lesotho Cabinet Ministers.

***The Ministry of Communications/Lesotho News Agency, 17 May 2002

The following are the Speeches Presented at the Inauguration of the Nature Reserves:

(1)  PUO EA SELELEKELA EA MOHLOMPHEHI LETONA LA LIHLOLILOENG, MONGHALI MONYANE MOLELEKI, MOHLA PULO EA MOLAO EA LITSI TSA TLHOLEHO TSA MORERO O MOHOLO OA METSI A LIHLABA TSA LESOTHO KA LA 16 MOTS’EANONG, 2002 LIBAKENG TSA BOKONG, LIPHOFUNG LE TS’EHLANYANE

trans.:  A FOREWORD BY LESOTHO MINISTER OF NATURAL RESOURCES, MONYANE MOLELEKI, AT THE INAUGURATION OF THE NATURE RESERVES OF THE LESOTHO HIGHLANDS WATER PROJECT, 16 MAY 2002, AT BOKONG, LIPHOFUNG AND TS’EHLANYANE.

 LITUMELISO HO

 Motlotlehi Letsie oa Boraro, Hlooho ea naha ea Lesotho

 Mohlomphehi Tona-Kholo le Hlooho ea ’Muso oa Motlotlehi, Ntate Pakalitha Mosisili

 Mohlomphehi Moahloli e Moholo

 Mohlomphehi motlatsi oa Tona-Kholo

 Bo-Mphato, Matona a ’Muso oa Motlotlehi

 Litho tsa Lekhotla la Naha

 Baemeli ba Linaha (Members of Diplomatic Corps)

 Marena a Lihlooho

 Baruti ba Moshoeshoe

 Bangoli ba makala le liofisiri tsa ’Muso

 Komisi ea Metsi a Lihlaba tsa Lesotho (Lesotho Highlands Water Commission)

 Bookameli bo ntseng bo ts’oere molepo ba Setsi sa Morero oa Metsi a Lihlaba

 Baeti bohle ba hlomphehang

 Bo-Ntate le Bo-’M’e, le Bana ba likolo ba teng koano

 Bo-Ntate le bo-’M’e,

 Motsamaisi oa Lits’ebeletso tsa kajeno, ntumelle monghali ea khabane, ka hlompho le ka boikokobetso bo boholo, ho itebohela le ho lebohela Lekala la heso la Lihloliloeng ’me haholo Lefapha lena la Setsi sa Morero o Moholo oa Metsi a Lihlaba tsa Lesotho.  E se e batla e’ba tloaelo joale ho le bitsetsa meketeng e kand ona moo re tlil’o keteka likatleho tse tlisoang ke Morero oa Metsi a Lihlaba Lesotho.  Re tla elelloa bohle hore likatleho tsena li tlisoa ke hobane re ts’oarisane ka thata le ka bokhabane bo tsotoang le naha ea boahelani ea Riphaboliki ea Afrika Boroa.  Likatleho tseo re li fihletseng ka Morero ona, li kolla haholo phelisanong le ts’ebelisano ’moho tse ntle mahareng a linaha tsena tse peli.

Ha se khale ha re bokane mane ’Muela ka la 22 Pherekhong, 1998, re ketekela phetisetso ea metsi a lihlaba ho la Afrika Boroa, ’me teng moo, ho ne ho le teng Mopresidente oa pele oa naha eo Ntate Nelson Mandela a menngoe ke Motlotlehi Letsie oa Boraro le Hlooho ea naha ena.  Bohlokoa ba ts’ebelisano ’moho ena ke hore Morero ona oa Metsi a Lihlaba o tlisitse le tharollo ea metsi linaheng tsa Afrika karolong ena e ka boroa.  Mopresidente oa naha ea Botswana Ntate Quet Masire le eena o ne a le teng mohlang oo.

Ka selemo se latelang sa 1999 letsatsing la 22 Pherekhong, re ne re boetse re ketekela phehlo ea motlakase Lesotho.  Re ne re ntse re le hona ’Muela.  Ka la 5 Tlhakubele hona selemong seo, re ne re le kampong ea Botha-Bothe re nehelana ka ’maraka, seemelong sa makoloi le litsela tsa lets’oana ka har’a teropo eo ea Makhoakhoa ho Mohlomphehi Mopshatla Mabitle tlas’a Lekala la Puso ea Mahae le boliseng ba hae.

Selemong sa kete tse peli (2000) matsatsing a la tharo (3) ho isa la ‘ne (4), ’na le oa mphato oa ka ka ho la Afrika Boroa, Monghali Ronnie Kasrils, re ne re ketekela ts’ebetso ea Morero ka boteng ba mebila ea Maseru-by pass, le ntlafatso ea tsela ea thaba ho tloha Masianokeng ho ea Likalaneng ha Mohale, le litsela tse ahiloeng ka ha Katse tse potolohang letamo leo la Katse. ’Moho le marokho a maoto le a makoloi ka bo-Pelaneng le holim’a karolo ea lets’a leo la Katse e nokeng ea Bokong.  Lekala la heso la Lihloliloeng le ne le bile le nehelana ka thepa tseo tsa litsela le marokho ho Letona le khabane Mohlomphehi Mofelehetsi Moerane lekaleng la litsela le mesebetsi e meholo ea sechaba. 

Kajeno re mona ho tla bula le ho ketekela lintlafatso tse tlisitsoeng ke Morero oa Metsi a Lihlaba ka litsi tsena tsa tlholeho.  Mohlomphehi Tona-Kholo hamorao o tla bula ka molao litsi tsena tsa Ts’ehlanyane, Bokong le Liphofung.

Motsamaisi oa lits’ebeletso tsa kajeno, ntumelle pele ketso eo e etsahala ke behe mona kapele ho sechaba sena hore katleho ea kajeno hase feela ea Setsi sa Morero e leng Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA), empa ke ea Lekala la Lihloliloeng kaofela, ke ea Lekala la Tikoloho, Teka-tekano le litaba tsa Bacha (Ministry of Environment, Gender and Youth Affairs, MEGYA), ke katleho ea Lekala la Lipapali le Bohahlauli (Ministry of Sports and Tourism, Min Tour), Ke katleho ea Lekala la Thuto, la Bophelo, La Mahae le Sepolesa le la Lichelete.  Ke katleho ea Lekala la Litsela le Mesebetsi e meholo ebile ke katleho ea Lekala la Machabeng le la Khoebo.  Hona ke ho bolela hore ke katleho ea likarolo tsohle tsa bophelo ba Basotho.

Ke se ke ile ka qala ka ho qoolla karolo ea Afrika Boroa ka likamano tse futhumetseng  ’me tseo eleng mohlala linaheng tsa lefats’e.  Likamano tseo li tsebile le hore Lesotho le fumane lichelete tsa ho atlehisa ts’ebetso ea Morero ho bafani ba pharaletseng, ho tloha ka Afrika Boroa ho isa linaheng tse ling tsa Lefats’e joaloka Engelane le Kopano ea Juropo (European Union) Le tse ling.  Litsi tsena tsa Bafani ba lichelete li tsebile ho kenya letsoho mokotleng ka lebaka la khothaletso ea Banka ea Lefats’e ea Ntlafatso eo eleng eona e behileng ts’ebetso eohle ea Morero tlhoeli ea ts’ebetso ea Morero hore o phethoa ka makhethe le maemo a amohelehang machabeng, ka nako le ho latela litumellano tsa lichelete tse fanoeng.

Litsi tsena tseo re bokaneng mona ka tsona haesale li ntse li le teng mona Lesotho.  Bohlokoahali ba hore ebe joale re li nketse holimo kajeno, rea li bona, rea li shebisisa ke hobane joale linako li fetohile.  Lefats’e joale le finne selelu ho bona hore litaba tsa tikoloho li behoa kapele ha ho raloa mesebetsi, ekaba ke mesebetsi e menyenyane kapa ke e meholo joaloka ona oa Metsi a Lihlaba.  [Lesotho le lona le thehile setsi se hokahanyang ts’ebetso ena ea ho hlahloba boleng ba tikoloho (National Environment Secretariat, NES), ’me le molao oa paballo ea tikoloho oa kete tse peli, (Environment Act of 2000), o se o kene ts’ebetsong].

Ts’ebetsong ea khaho ea matamo le teng ho ithutoa pele hore boemo ba tikoloho ka kakaretso ho kenyeletsa le libaka tsa tlholeho; limela, linyamatsane, makhulo, linoka le bophelo ba tse phelang metsing, lithaba le ho akaretsa maphelo le mekhoa le litloaelo tsa bophelo tsa batho, na tikoloho e tla ameha joang ke ts’ebetso eo ka ho pharalla ha eona ’me ke mehato efe e ka etsoang ho qoba kapa ho thibeletsa ts’enyo ea tikoloho e tla tlisoa ke ts’ebetso eo.  Boithuto bo joalo ka nq’a engoe, bo ee bo sibolle libaka tse ka holisoang tsa matlafatsoa hoba tse khahlehang.  Litsi tseo re li bulang kajeno ke mohlala oa lintho tse ntle tseo boithuto bo sibolotseng se molemo seo re ka se holisang ra se matlafatsa ho iphelisa ka sona.  Ke ka hona ke neng ke re khale libaka tsena li le teng feela re sa li shebisise ka leihlo la hore na re kotulang tse molemo ho tsona.  Kajeno rea tseba ’me kea ts’epa hore ha re tlo’ feta sebaka feela re sa tebise maikutlo ka sona.

Linaha tse ngata ha li na lirafshoang tse ngata tse ka jarang moruo oa linaha tseo empa li tseba ho iphelisa ka khoebo ea bohahlaoli.  Re hlokometse hape hore linaha tse ka reng Kenya le Ethiopia li ikhaba ka libapali tsa mabelo a mokoka ’me re bolelloa ha seo e le hobane ba phela libakeng tsa lithaba.  Re ka hloloa ke’ng ho kenella moo le ho matlafatsa se teng haele moo re ts’oana le  bona tjee!

Ha re ne re bula litsela le oa Mphato oa ka ho la Afrika Boroa Monghali Ronnie Kasrils, o ile a bonts’a ha ts’ebetso eo e ne e bula likhoro tsa khoebo ho ipapisitsoe le merero e meholo e kang ea Drakensberg Frontier le Maloti Route tse kopanetsoeng ke linaha tsena ka bobeli ’me tse ka etsang hore linaha tsena li itjare moruong.  Litokisetso tsa manane ana a ts’ebetso li se li hatetse pele le ka matla a maholo.

Re tla hloka bots’ehetsi bo boholo ba sepolesa sa habo rona le litsi tse ling ka har’a naha ho lisa litlolo tsa molao le ts’enyo litsing tsena le hohle moo bahahlauli ba tla khahloa ho chakela ’me ke boikarabello ba rona ho thusetsa re le sechaba moo leihlo la sepolesa le sa fihleng.  Bana ba rona ba balisana ba tla ts’oanela ho rutoa ka thata le ho fumants’oa leseli ka bohlokoa le paballeho ea baeti Lesotho, paballo ea litsi tsena lintlheng tsa phuliso e bohlasoa le ho chesetsa ke ba ikarabellang.  Ke mema bo Mphato, Letona la Bohahlauli, Letona la Tikoloho ho thusetsa tabeng ea poulelo, ntlafatso le ts’ireletso ea libaka tsena. 

Ke ipiletsa ho lona Basotho ba heso ho baballa  lihloliloeng tsa naha ea lona ka matla.  Lea bona hore na Metsi joaloka sehloliloeng a tliselitse Lesotho lintlafatso tse pharaletseng hakaakang.  Bacha ithuteng le hoba le thahasello thutong ea paballo le poulelo ea lihloliloeng tsa naha molemong oa lona kamoso.

Ke mema joale Mohlomphehi Tona-Kholo, Ntate Pakalitha, ho tla bula ka molao litsi tsena tseo re li behang kapele ho eena. 

Mohlomphehi Tona-Kholo sebaka ke sa hau Ntate.

Kea Leboha

  **************

(2)  SPEECH   BY

MR. RAMOSEHLANA MAPETLA, Acting CHIEF EXECUTIVE,

LESOTHO HIGHLANDS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY AT  THE  INAUGURATION   OF  THE  NATURE  RESERVES OF THE LESOTHO HIGHLANDS WATER PROJECT, 16 MAY 2002

HIS  MAJESTY   KING  LETSIE  III

THE RT.  HON THE  PRIME  MINISTER

THE  CHIEF  JUSTICE

DEPUTY  PRIME  MINISTER

 HONOURABLE  MINISTERS

MEMBERS OF THE STATE  COUNCIL

MEMBERS  OF  THE  DIPLOMATIC  CORPS

PRINCIPAL  CHIEFS

THE CLERGY

MEMBERS OF THE LHWC

MEMBERS OF THE LHDA  BOARD

DISTINGUISHED  GUESTS

LADIES AND  GENTLEMENT,

THE INAUGURATION  TO-DAY  OF  THE  LIPHOFUNG  HISTORIAL  AND CULTURAL SITE,   BOKONG AND TSEHLANYANE  NATURE RESERVES  MARKS ANOTHER MILE - STONE  IN THE HISTORY OF THE  IMPLEMENTATION  OF  THE  LESOTHO  HIGHLANDS WATER PROJECT  ( LHWP).  THE  LHWP  TREATY  PROVIDES FOR THE  IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROJECT IN   A RESPONSIBLE  WAY -   IN  A  WAY  THAT  WOULD  ENSURE  THAT  THE  INVIRONMENT   IS NOT  NEGATIVELY  IMPACTED  UPON  OR  WHERE  THIS  IS   UNAVOIDABLE  THAT  THE  NEGATIVE  IMPACTS  ARE EITHER   MITIGATED  OR  COMPENSATED   FOR.   IT  WAS  TO  MEET  THIS  LATTER   REQUIREMENT  THAT  THESE   RESERVES  HAVE BEEN  CONCEIVED  AND  IMPLEMENTED.    THROUGH  THE   CONSTRUCTION  OF  THE  DAMS,  THE  ROAD  INFRASTRUCTURE  AND  OTHER PROJECT  RELATED  WORKS CERTAIN  HABITATS  AND  PLANT  SPECIES  HAVE  BEEN  NEGATIVELY  IMPACTED  UPON -  SO  WERE THE  LIVELIHOODS  OF  THE  COMMUNITIES IN  THE  AFFECTED  AREAS.   IT  WAS  DECIDED  THEREFORE  THAT  RESOURCES  BE  PUT  INTO  NATURE  CONSERVATION   IN  A  WAY  THAT WOULD  ALSO  BENEFIT  AND  PROVIDE  LIVELIHOODS  TO   THE   LOCAL  COMMUNITIES. 

ORIGINALLY,  THE PLAN  ENVISAGED  THE  DEVELOPMENT  OF   FOUR  NATURE RESERVES (TSEHLANYANE AND BOKONG IN THE LERIBE DISTRICT, LIPHOFUNG AND ‘MUELA IN THE BOTHA-BOTHE DISTRICT)  OVER FIVE  YEARS, BEGINNING JULY 1996.     DUE TO THE NECESSARY CHANGES AND  IMPROVEMENTS ON THE PLANS,  IT HAS TAKEN US ALMOST SIX YEARS TO  COME TO WHERE WE  ARE TO -DAY.    THE OVERALL COST OF THE PROJECT  TO DATE  IS  ABOUT  27 MILLION MALOTI.  THIS MONEY WAS PROVIDED BY THE GOVERNMENT OF LESOTHO.    WE ARE PROUD THEREFORE TO PRESENT TO GOVERNMENT, THE  THREE NATURE  RESERVES.   THEY HAVE BEEN DEVELOPED IN LINE WITH THE   CRITERIA TO ENSURE:

·   COMPLIANCE WITH THE NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY PROGRAM OF THE KINGDOM OF LESOTHO;

·   ACCOMMODATION OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES AFFECTED BY THE DEVELOPMENTS OF THE LHWP IN THE AREAS DESIGNATED FOR THE PROPOSED NATURE RESERVES, IN A MANNER THAT WILL BE BENEFICIAL TO BOTH THE COMMUNITY AND THE PROPOSED PROTECTED AREAS;  AND

·    ENCOURAGEMENT AND PROVISION OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR ECO-TOURISM IN THE KINGDOM OF LESOTHO.

LIPHOFUNG HAS BEEN SELECTED ON THE BASIS OF ITS HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE, AS A SITE WHERE THE REMAINS OF THE PRECEDING ‘SAN’  (BAROA) CULTURE OF ROCK PAINTING IS STILL WELL PRESERVED.    IT IS  SAID THAT  IT  WAS ALSO A RESTING STATION FOR THE FOUNDER OF THE BASOTHO NATION, KING MOSHOESHOE I, ON HIS TERRITORIAL INSPECTION EXCURSIONS. 

THE TWO OTHER AREAS “BOKONG AND TS’EHLANYANE ” HAVE BEEN SELECTED AS PROTECTED AREAS ON THEIR ECOLOGICAL BASIS.

THE BOKONG NATURE RESERVE IS THE HIGH ALTITUDE OR SUB-ALPINE GRASSLAND OF ABOUT 3,000 Ha.   IT HAS THE FOLLOWING DEVELOPMENTS:

·        ENVIRONMENTAL VISITOR CENTRE

·        HIKING AND NATURE INTERPRETATION TRAILS AND;

OVERNIGHT HIKING FACILITIES.

TS’EHLANYANE IS 6,000 Ha OF RANGELAND WITH MOSTLY  ‘LEUCOSIDEA SERICEA’ (CHECHE) WOODLAND AND THICKETS SKIRTING THE PRECIPICES AND RAVINES OF THE MOUNTAIN FORTRESS.   IT NOW HOUSES THE FOLLOWING:

·        ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTRE

·        DAY VISITOR (PICNIC) SITE WITH FACILITIES

·        PERMANENT CAMPING SITE WITH FACILITIES

·        BUSH CAMP (OVERNIGHT CAMPING SITE) WITH FACILITIES

·        HIKING TRAILS INCLUDING OVERNIGHT HIKING CAVE

·        RECEPTION/CURIO SHOP FACILITY

·        POTENTIAL LODGE DEVELOPMENT SITE WITH ELECTRICITY, ACCESS  ROAD  AND FRESH WATER SUPPLY.

THE   FOURTH  COMPONENT  AT ‘MUELA DOES  NOT  FORM  PART OF  TODAY’S  THEME /CELEBRATIONS  BECAUSE  IT IS STILL ONLY PARTIALLY  DEVELOPED.  IT  PRESENTLY  CONSISTS OF  THE  COMMUNITY  OPERATED  CRAFTS  CENTRE  AND  PICNIC  SITES.   THE   BALANCE,  CONSISTING OF  THE ENVIROMENTAL  EDUCATION  CENTRE (ENVIROPARK) IS YET TO BE IMPLEMENTED UNDER  A  SEPARATE   FUNDING AGREEMENT   WITH  THE  AFRICAN  DEVELOPMENT  BANK (AfDB).  IT WILL HOUSE INDIGENOUS  TERRESTRIAL AND  AQUATIC  BIRD AND  ANIMAL  SPECIES  TOGETHER  WITH A  MUSEUM  AND AN INFORMATION  CENTRE. 

ALL THE  THREE  RESERVES ARE NOW OPERATIONAL IN TERMS OF RECEIVING VISISTORS.   THEY  REPRESENT  THE DEVELOPMENT  NODE  THAT  FORMS  THE  CORNERSTONE  OF THE  LARGER  TOURISM  CONCEPT.    IT IS  FORSEEABLE  THAT THE CONCEPT  WILL EXTEND INTO THE INNER HIGHLANDS  REGION,  WHICH WILL INCLUDE THE MAHLASELA  SKI  RESORTS, THE  DRAKENSBERG  TRANSFRONTIER  PARK,  THE  SEHLABATHEBE  NATIONAL  PARK AND EVENTUALLY GROW WIDE  ENOUGH TO COVER  THE WHOLE  OF  LESOTHO,  JOINING THE  SOUTHERN  MOUNTAINS CONSERVATION  EFFORT.   IT IS ALSO OUR EXPECTATION AND BELIEF  THAT THESE RESERVES WILL CONTINUE TO EXIST AND CROW  UNDER THE MORE  APPROPRIATE AND CAPABLE HANDS AND GUIDANCE OF THE  ‘PROTECTED  AREAS  MANAGEMENT  AUTHORITY’  ALREADY IN THE OFFING.    AT THE  OFFICIAL  LEVEL, WE ARE WORKING WITH THE MINISTRIES OF ENVIRONMENT,  TOURISM AND  AGRICULTURE  TO FIND  A SUITABLE AND APPROPRIATE HOME FOR THESE CENTRES IN THE INTERIM.    WE  WILL WELCOME  ALL THE SUPPORT WE CAN GET FROM GOVERNMENT IN  ENSURING THAT THIS  SUITABLE HOME IS FOUND AND  RESERVES TRANSFERRED  WITHOUT ANY  FURTHER DELAY.    THIS WILL GUARANTEE THEIR  SUCCESS AND EFFICIENT OPERATION. 

THE  RIGHT  HONOURABLE  THE  PRIME MINISTER,

DISTINGUISHED GUESTS,

LADIES  AND GENTLEMENT,

THESE   DEVELOPMENTS  HAVE MADE A SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO THE LESOTHO ECONOMY.   120  PEOPLE HAVE BEEN TRAINED  IN  VARIOUS  SKILLS,  SUCH AS NATURE CONSERVATION,  COMMUNITY  LIASON,  AND AS RANGERS TO NAME BUT A FEW.    OF  THESE 40 HOLD  PERMANENT JOBS WITHIN  THESE PROJECTS.  FURTHERMORE,  OVER  250  TEMPORARY  JOBS  WERE ALSO CREATED  SOME OF WHICH EITHER TRAINED OR REFINED OUR PEOPLE’S  SKILLS  IN THATCH  ROOFING,  ARCH-WELDING, GLAZING AND CARPENTRY.

A TOTAL OF 7,500 Ha OF LAND, INCLUDING  5 THREATENED ECOLOGICAL HABITATS, AND TWO (2) UNIQUE CULTURAL FEATURES HAVE BEEN PROTECTED.   WITHIN THESE  HABITATS, 292 BIRD SPECIES, 54 MAMMALS, 36 SPECIES OF REPTILES/AMPHIBIANS AND 3094 PLANT SPECIES HAVE BEEN RECORDED.  TOURISM FACILITIES AND ENTREPRENEURIAL OPPORTUNITIES  IN 4 CENTRES HAVE  ALSO BEEN CREATED AS CORE DEVELOPMENTS.  TO THIS LIST WE CAN ADD THE UPLIFTMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR CUMMUNITIES SURROUNDING THESE DEVELOPMENTS AND TO SOME EXTENT, THOSE THAT ARE DISTANT: THE OPPORTUNITIES INCLUDE THE PROVISION OF GUIDES, PONY TREKKING, CATERING, SECURITY, CURIO SALES, PRIVATE PUBLIC PARTNERSHIPS  OF  SMALL TO MEDIUM BUSINESSES AND OTHERS THAT WILL BE PRODUCED BY THE KNOCK-ON EFFECTS. THESE FORM THE RIPPLES OF ESSENTIAL SERVICES FROM THE CORE DEVELOPMENTS, THAT WILL SEE OUR PEOPLE IMPROVING THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE WITHIN A FORESEEABLE FUTURE.  OUR ROLE NOW IS AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE THAT OF FACILITATOR, TO ENSURE THAT THESE COMMUNITIES HAVE THE NECESSARY INFORMATION AND SKILLS TO BE ABLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE RIPPLES OF OPPORTUNITIES THAT THESE CORE DEVELOPMENTS WILL CREATE, BOTH DIRECTLY AND OTHERWISE.

TO ACCOMPLISH WHAT WE SEE AT A COMMENDABLE  FIT OF ENVIRONMENTAL INGENUITY, WE HAVE OBTAINED THE SERVICES OF THE EARTHPLAN LESOTHO CONSULTANTS, TOGETHER WITH THEIR PARENT, SISTER AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES, WHO HAVE SELFLESSLY OFFERED THEIR UNRESERVED SUPPORT, WITH SUCH VIGOR, DILIGENCE AND SYNERGY THAT HAS NOW TRANSFORMED OUR RELATIONSHIP INTO THAT OF A TEAM, MORE THAN THE SERVICE AS UNDERSTOOD.  WE DEEPLY AND SINCERELY THANK THEM FOR THE JOB WELL DONE.

THE FIRM COMMITMENT  AND DEVOTION OF OUR PARENT MINISTRY, MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES, TO THESE PROJECTS NEEDS SPECIAL  MENTION AND RECOGNITION.  SO  ARE THE SHARED EXPERIENCES AND CONSTRUCTIVE  COMMENTS AND CRITICISMS OF THE MINISTRIES OF AGRICULTURE,  OF TOURISM, OF ENVIRONMENT AND THAT OF LOCAL GOVERNMNET.   WE HAVE ALSO BENEFITED  FROM THE COMMENTS, SUGGESTIONS, IDEAS  AND ADVICE  FROM OUR SISTER COUNTRIES IN THE SADC REGION, NAMELY SOUTH AFRICA, BOTSWANA, NAMIBIA AND ZAMBIA  TO NAME BUT  A FEW. 

lAST  BUT  NOT  LEAST,  WE ARE ALSO GRATEFUL  TO PROFESSOR  DAVID  AMBROSE AND  REVEREND  BRUSCHE  WHO  KINDLY TRANSLATED THE STORY OF LIPHOFONG  FROM  THE DIARIES (written in French)  OF MORUTI  THOMAS  ARRABOUSET,    AND  DAVID  MAY AND  DR  SUMATO  DALUKDA  WHO  ASSISTED WITH THE CLASSIFICATION OF THE BOTANICAL ELEMENTS.   

MORENA  HALEMAKALE  MOLAPO  MOTSOENE LEBITSONG LA MORENA OA  LERIBE  (COMMUNITY   MOBILISATION)…………………..

ON  BE HALF  OF THE LESOTHO HIGHLANDS  DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY,  I THANK  ALL THOSE WHO HAVE MADE  TODAYS EVENT A  SUCCESS IT IS .

I  THANK YOU.

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(3) PUO EA MOHLOMPHEHI TONA – KHOLO EA LESOTHO, PAKALITHA MOSISILI, MOHLA PULO EA MOLAO EA LITSI TSA TLHOLEHO TSA MORERO O MOHOLO OA LESOTHO OA METSI A LIHLABA (LHDA) KA LA 16 MOTS’EANONG, 2002 LIBAKENG TSA BOKONG, LIPHOFUNG LE TS’EHLANYANE;

trans.:   STATEMENT BY LESOTHO PRIME MINISTER, PAKALITHA MOSISILI, AT THE INAUGURATION OF THE NATURE RESERVES OF THE LESOTHO HIGHLANDS WATER PROJECT, 16 MAY 2002, AT BOKONG, LIPHOFUNG AND TS'EHLANYANE

Motlotlehi Hlooho ea naha

Mohlomphehi Moahloli e moholo (Chief Justice)

Mohlomphehi Motlatsi oa Tona – Kholo

Matona a ‘Muso oa Motlotlehi

Litho tsa lekhotla la naha (State Council)

Baemeli ba Linaha (Diplomatic Corps)

Baokameli ba Bafani Morerong ona oa litsi tsa tlholeho le mererong e meng e teng koano Lesotho.

Marena a Lihlooho

Baruti ba Moshoeshoe

Bangoli ba makala le liofisiri tse ling tsa ‘Muso oa Motlotlehi

Komisi ea Metsi a Lihlaba tsa Lesotho (Lesotho Highlands Water Commission)

Bookameli bo ntseng bo ts’oere molepo ba setsi sa Morero oa metsi a Lihlaba tsa Lesotho

Baeti bohle ba hlomphehang

Bo – Ntate le bo ‘Me le bana ba rona ba likolo.

Bo – Ntate le bo – ‘M’e

ke tletsoe ke thabo kajeno ha ke boela ke kpana le lona sechaba sa heso, bo – Ntate le bo – ‘M’e, moketeng ona, moo re ketekelang likatleho tse ling hape tse tlisoang ke Morero oa lona Basotho, Morero oa Metsi a Lihlaba naheng ena.

E se e batla e-ba tloaelo ho bokana ‘moho re ketekela likatleho tse tlisoang ke Morero ona oa lona o moholo naheng ena le lefats’e ka bophara, joalokaha Letona Ntate Moleleki a se a lokolisitse. Ha ho tikatiko, Morero oa Metsi a Lihlaba o teng ho lopolla Mosotho bofumeng ba tlala ea lephako le tlala ea kelello hobane boteng ba Morero ona, bo phephetsa kelello ea ngoana motho ho inahana hore na re phela joang ka sehlahisoa sena se Metsi Lesotho. Ke re, Metsi, hobane leha e le mona re tli’lo ketekela pulo ea litsi tsena tsa tlholeho, taba-kholo ke hore litsi tsena li teng tjena ka lebaka la Metsi a Lihlaba tsa Lesotho. Kea tiisa ke re, hoja Lesotho le naha ena ea boahelani ea Africa Bokoa li se rere ‘moho litaba tsa thekisetsano ea metsi ka moo re seng re tseba, ekabe eba ha re mona moo re emeng teng kajeno. Morero ona oa Metsi a Lihlaba ke ‘malihlofa, ha oa fella feela pokeletsong ea metsi empa o tlisitse lintlafatso tse ngata ka har’a Lesotho empa haholo ka har’a loti moo Morero o leng hona teng. Re utloile ka litsela tse phunyeletsang lithaba, mehala ea likamahanyo ea lifono-fono, phehlo ea motlakase le marang-rang a motlakase ka har’a loti, joalo – joalo.

 Kajeno re tlile ho tla ketekela pulo ea litsi tsena tse tharo tsa tlholeho eleng Bokong, Liphofung le Ts’ehlanyane. Basotho ba Moshoeshoe, re lokela ho ipotsa hore na pulo ean ea litsi eo re e phethahatsang letsatsing lena, na e bolelang maphelong a rona. Re ipotse hore na ebe e bolela feela ho etsa lipuo tsa bohlokoa, re nyakalla ‘me re phomosetsoa tse eang ka maleng eba re ikhutlella mahae eba ke phetho? Na e bolela ho hlaha li – telefishing le ho ipala maselinyaneng a fapakaneng le ho imamella li – ea – le - moeeng  eba ke phetho? Na ke sefe sa manthla se boleloang ke pulo ee ea bohlokoa?

Kea ts’epa hore le tla lumellana le ‘na hore pulo ena ea Morerohali ona ke qalo ea qholotso ho Basotho ka kakaretso. Lefats’e le machaba a re shebile hore na re tla etsa eng ka qholotso ena. Re tlameha ho phahamisa maoto re bone hore litsi tsena tseo re li bulang, li tlisetsa Basotho mesebetsi ‘me li teng ho loants’a bofuma e le hore re tle re fele re imone monoana ka khauta e ts’oeu ea Lesotho – Metsi. Barutehi ba Lesotho, ke oo mosebetsi oa ho ntse’tsa pele moo Morero oa Metsi a Lihlaba o khathileng tema le ho batalatsa mabla. Litsi tsena li tla hloka ho tsamaisoang ka bokhabane bo lokelehang ho bona hore li hohela le ho khahla Bahahlauli. Botsamaisi ba litsi tsena bo ts’oanetse ho hlokomela le le ho fana ka boeletsi ho mafapha a amehang hore bana ba likolo ba khothaletsoa ho ithuta ka paballo le tlhokomelo tsa tlholeho le lihloliloeng tsa naha ka mokhoa o ba tlang ho ja ka tsona, ho iphelisa le ho phelisa ba – malapa a bo-bona le metse ea bona tikolohong ea moo ba lulang teng.

 Ke bolelloa mona hore ho na le Basotho ba seng ba fumants’itsoe koetliso ea ho sebetsa mosebetsi ona. Ke re, ee, ke hantle, empa ha re eketseheng hobane naha ena e shebahala har’a tse ling, e ka tseba ho felisa bofuma ka ho etsa khoebo ka ts’ebetso ea paballo le tlhokomelo ea tlholeho. Sebelisang malebela le litalenta tseo Morena Molimo a le nehileng tsona ho atlehisa naha ena ea habo lona le ho abelana leruo leo e le behang molemong oa Mosotho e mong le e mong.

 Hantle – ntle selemo sena sa likete tse peli le metso e ‘meli (2002), e ts’oanela ho ba selemo sa ketekelo ea sebopeho sa Lesotho. Naha ena ea rona ka lithaba, e khahleha haholo hoo motho o ka nkoang ke maikutlo oa nahana lintho li le ngata. Lefats’e le hloaile selemo sena joaloka selemo sa ketekelo ea lithaba ‘me ketekelo e tla etsahala ka khoeli ea Loetse, Gauteng. Hape – hape, mane ho la Gauteng ho tla be ho ts’oeroe ‘mokahali oa lihlooho tsa linaha le mebuso moo li tla tlaleha khatelo – pele ea lintlafatso ka mor’a ‘moka o ts’oanang oa selemo sa 1992 o neng o ts’oaretsoe mane naheng ea Brazil, Rio de Janeiro. Lihlooho tsa linaha li tla abelana litsebo le ho chakelana ka malebela ho tse fihletsoeng, empa ka sehlohlolong, ho hlokomela hore lintlafatso tse teng, ke tsa mocha – o – chele.  Li (Lihlooho tsa Linaha) li tla ithuta le maqiti a macha a ts’ebetso le mekhoa e tla etsa hore leano la Agenda 21 la Rio de Janeiro, le be le moelelo linaheng tsa lefats’e. Ha re ketekela pulo ena ea litsi tsa tlholeho kajeno, re se ntse re bonts’a lefats’e ka moo re sebelitseng ho latela thomo ea Agenda 21 ka ho bea metheo e tla tlisa lintlafatso tsa ho-ea-ho-ile.

 Joalokaha ke se ke boletse, naha ea Lesotho ke naha ea lithaba ‘me ebile e lutse tsullung, holimo moo ho phahameng. Lesotho ke eona naha feela lefats’eng e phahametseng leoatle ka linoko tse fetang sekete sa linoko (>1000m above sea level, masl). Thabana-Ntlenyane eleng eona thaba e telele ka ho fetisisa Lesotho le karolong e ka Boroa ho Afrika, e phahame ka botelele bo ka holimo ho likete tse tharo (3452masl). Litsi tsena tsa rona tseo re li bulang ka molao kajeno, li lutse lithabeng, ‘me ka hona, re se ntse re imona menoana ka se beoang ke lithaba tseo ebile re bonts’a ka moo Lesotho le arabetseng litlhoko tsa Agenda 21 ea 1992. Re imona menoana ka lithaba tse fehlang moea le maru tse (meea le maru) tlisang lipula le mahloa tseo tsona li tlisang metsi ana ao re qeteletseng re tsebile ho phethahatsa Morero o Moholo oa Metsi a Lihlaba, lihlaba tseo le tsona litsoetseng litsi tsena tsa tlholeho. Lithaba tsena li re file litsi tsa tlholeho tse kang tsena le tse ling likarolong tse ling ka har’a naha ena. Lithaba tsa rona li na le moea o hloekileng o tlatsang mats’oafo ‘me ke ka hoo re leng naha e sa khathetsoeng ke mafu a mangatanyana joaloka linaha tse ling Afrika. Ke ts’epo ea ka hore lithaba tsena li boetse li re fuparetse ho hong, ha feela re ka kopanya maboko ‘me mohlala ke hore lirafshoang tse teng ka naheng ea boahelani eka ‘na eaba li teng koano.

 Bo – Ntate le -bo – ‘Me, ha ke khutlela ho seo re bokaneng mona ka sona, e leng ho tla bula litsi tsena tsa tlholeho, re hlokomela kapele hore litsi tsena ke qalo ea phehlo ea mesebetsi e mengata ka har’a naha ena. Litsi tsena li tla matlafatsoa ke ha rona re itahlela ka setotsoana ho bona hore li baballehile ‘me re iphelisa ka tsona ka ho tsosolosa bosechaba ba Basotho. Ke litsing tse ka reng tsena moo mochaba le bahahlauli ha ba lietela, ba thabelang ho bona hore na ke sefe se khethollang Mosotho ho lichaba tse ling.

 kea tseba hore mekutu e se ntseng e le mengata ka har’a naha ea ho tsosolosa bosechaba ba Basotho. E se e batla e le tloaelo joale hore mane Morija, Makhoarane, ebe Basotho ba keteka bosechaba. Re bone hape ka selemo sa 2000 ba Basotho ba kenela ponts’o ea lefats’e ea se beoang ke boteng ba metsi linaheng tsa habo bona mane ho la Jeremane motseng oa Hannover. Basotho ba ile ba natefisa liponts’o tseo ka ho bonts’a lefats’e bosechaba ba bona. Basotho ba boetse ba sa tsoa khutla mane ho la Chaena matsatsing a ho feta hona khoeling ena, moo ba neng ba menngoe ho ea bonts’a le ho keteka bosechaba ba bona le sechaba sa Chaena. Hoa bonahala hore re ka iphepa ka bosechaba ba rona. Nkang menyetla ena e hlahisoang ke puso ea lona ho le bebofaletsa maphelo.

Bo-Ntate le bo-‘Me, ke taba e totobetseng hore re fela re ka iphelisa ka sebopeho sena sa naha ea Lesotho. Sebaka sa Bokong ke sebaka se phahameng ka bophahamo ba 3050masl moo Seoli le Mohakajane li fofang ka bolokolohi bo makatsang. Linonyana tsena li ka re tlisetsa tse molemo ha re li baballa, re li fepa ka linako tse khethetsoeng joalo. Ba ithutang ka linonyana ba tla ba le monyetla oa ho bokella tsebo e batsi ka bophelo ba linonyana tsa lihlaba tsa Lesotho. Hona ke qaleho ea keketseho ea lingoliloeng tsa naha ena ‘me le eona ts’ebetso eo ea pokello ea lingoliloeng, ke qaleho ea phehlo ea mesebetsi.

Sebaka sena sa Bokong se boetse se ipabola ka hore ke mohloli oa linoka tse fepelang matamo ana a Morero oa Metsi a Lihlaba joaloka linoka tsa Bokong, Pelaneng, Mokhoulane le Liphofung. Sehlabeng sena sa Bokong, ke botle bo hlollang ho boha ha meholi e biloha ‘me ho qaleha maru a pula le lehloa. Ke boikarabelo ba lona sechaba sa heso ho hlokomela tikoloho ena le tsohle tse behoang ke eona hore sebaka sena se tsoele pele ho hohela leihlo la ea talimileng.

Qholotso e kholo ke hore sechaba sa Bokong le mathoko se bone hore na se qapa mesebetsi joang tseleng eo ho tloha tlaase Pitseng ho ea fihla ka ha Lejone. Khoro ena e ts’oanela ho hlokomeloa ho felisa bonokoane le bosholu empa haholo ho hlokomela hore makoloi a fetang moo hahaolo linakong tsa mariha, a feta moo bakhanni ba ona ba iketlile hobane tsela e le maemong a matle a ts’ebeliso ‘me maphelo a bona a babalehile. Re tseba hore lehloa le qhoqhoane lia hanella tseleng ‘me re ka ipua re le sechaba sa koano hore na re iphelisa joang ka ho hlokomela hore tsela ena efela e lumella hore mosebelisi oa eona a khatholohe kahohle-hohle.

 Sebaka sa Ts’ehlanyane le sona ke mohloli oa linoka tsa Ts’ehlanyane le Hlotse. Ka ho fetisa ho fumaneha cheche ea mofuta oa eona mona karolong ea lefats’e. Linyamatsane tse teng ke lits’oene le matsa le tse ling. Nyala-nyalano ea lihliloeng ka har’a tikoloho ke tsona lintho tse behang linaha ‘mapeng oa lefats’e. Lihloliloeng tse kang Cheche ena, ke tsona tse behang Lesotho ‘mapeng, leha e le naha e nyenyane hakalo, ka boleng (uniqueness) ba eona le tsohle tse fumanoang tikolohong eo. Litho tsena li hloka hore li baballoe e le hore meloko ea bahahlauli e tle e fumane li ntse li le teng joalokaha  lingoliloeng li pakahatsa.

 Athe mane Liphofung, ha re sa fumana liphofu tse neng li fula moo ka boiketlo pejana. Empa, ke sebaka seo re ka iphelisang ka sona ka ho se baballa le ho se bapatsa joalokaha Moholo oa rona Morena Moshoeshoe oa pele a ile a phomola moo leetong la hae la ho tloha Menkhoaneng a e-ea Thaba – Bosiu. Re boetse re sietsoe lefa la boipheliso moo ke baahi ba pele karolong ena ea Afrika e ka boroa, eleng Baroa, ba siileng nalane ea bona moo maboteng a lehaha la ho etsa pale ka har’a naha ea Lesotho. Libaka tsena li lebeletsoe ho thusa bahahlauli le baeti ba bangata ka selemo. Ho tla ha bona ho kenya chelete ha ba lefella ho kena le ho bona libaka tsena, empa ka ho fetisisa ka ho reka tseo rona Basotho re li etsang joaloka lishoeshoe, mafisoana, melianyeoe, likhomo tsa letsopa, lingoliloeng tsa nalane ea Lesotho, lits’oants’o tsa libaka tse khahlehang tse ntle tsa naha, menyakoe le lipina tsa bosechaba etc. Qholotso ke tseo Basotho tsa ka moo re ka fenyang kholumo-lumo ena e tlala le bofuma. Ha re kopanyeng maikutlo re fananeng ka malebela a se ka etsoang ho iphelisa.

 Lekala la Thuto le tobane le phepetso e kholo ea ho hlokomela hore thuto e be e ikamahanyang le se behoang ke naha ea Lesotho. Litsi tsena li re bonts’a hore lithuto tse tla re thusa ho iphelisa ekaba tse joaloka lithuto tsa bolepi tse kenyeletsang maemo a akaretsang a leholimo a mohatsela, lirame, mocheso, lipula meea joalo-joalo, lithuto tsa tikoloho (ecology and environment), lithuto tsa ho fumana ‘maraka oa khoebo ea bohahlauli ka ho nama (tourism marketing research) e kenyeletsang le kamohelo ea baeti, phepo le boithabiso ba bona ‘moho le linthoana-nthoana tseo ba ka li rekang, bolulo le thuto ea nalane ea naha ena.

 Mohlomphehi Motlatsi oa Tona-Kholo, Ntate Lesao Lehohla, ke eo phephetso e tobileng lekala la heno ka kotloloho. Kea ts’epa u tla ikopanya le mafapha ohle a thuto ho kenyeletsa le sekolo se seholo sa sechaba (National University of Lesotho), sekolo sa koetliso ea litichere (Lesotho College of Education) le setsi sa tokisetso le ntlafatso ea lithuto (National Curriculm Development Center) le mafapha ohle a amehang le a chang-a-ts’ola, ho bona hore na ke eng se ka etsoang ho atlehisa thuto hore e tsoele Mosotho molemo naheng ea habo.

 Naha ea Lesotho e tlabotse selekane le naha ea Afrika Boroa moo naha eo e ikitlaelitseng ho thusa ka matla ho leka matsapa a ho phahamisa moruo oa Lesotho. Ketso ena ke ponts’o ea phelisano ‘moho e ntle mahareng a linaha tse peli. Mosotho oa bolela ha a re “moketa ho tsosoa o itekang”. Ha re sebetseng ka thata ho leka matsapa ao ke a boletseng pejana a boipheliso e le hore baahelani ba rona ba tle ba be molota oa ho thusetsa, ba fumane re se re le joaloka mobu o loketseng ho kenya peo, re le malala-a-laotsoe boikitlaetsong ba ho phahamisa moruo oa naha ena.

 Ke ipiletsa ho bacha ba naha ena ho elelloa ho nka karolo e kholo mererong e behoang ke ‘Muso le mekhatlo e ikemetseng e ba fang leseli le kholiso litabeng tsa naha ea bo bona. Hona joale Lesotho le rometse bana ‘mokeng o moholo mane ho la Amerika, New York, moo bana ba Basotho ba tla arorelana malebela litabeng tse ngatanyana tsa linaha tsa habo bona joaloka puso e tsitsitseng, tlala le bofuma mokakallane oa setla bocha (HIV/AIDS) le tse ling. Re lebeletse hore bana, joaloka sechaba sa ka moso, ba tsebe ka botlalo mathata le litlhoko tsa linaha tsa habo bona, ‘me ba sebelise likello tsa bona ho leka ho thusetsa ho etsa hantle, ka ts’epo ea hore maphelo a bona e tla ba a nang le boikarabello bo tla ba phemisa seoa se ka reng sena sa HIV/AIDS. Bana bao ba rona ha ba khutla sebokeng seo sa Amerika, ba lebeletsoe ho tla arorelana le bacha ba bang, seo ba thalng ba sekotutse molemong oa bohle bacha ba Lesotho. ‘Muso oa lona o ts’ehetsa ka hohle-hohle tlhokomelo ea bana le kholiso ea ho ba lokisetsa bokamoso naheng ena.

 Bo-Ntate le bo-‘Me, ho bula ka molao litsi tsena, ke karolo feela ea mosebetsi ona oa bohlokoa. Hore ebe re phethile mosebetsi hantle ‘me le ka makhethe, ke hore ‘Muso joale o nke boikarabelo ba ho nka litsi tsena le ho bona hore li sebetsa le ho tsamaisoa joaloka ha li reretsoe. Ha re hopoleng hore tsena litsi, li ahiloe ka kotloloho ka likhafa tsa sechaba sa Basotho. Bookameli le basebetsi ba Setsi sa Morero oa Metsi a Lihlaba, ba ile ba fuoa boikarabello feela ba ho li aha, ‘me ba phethile mosebetsi oo hantle. Ke kopa ke hona makala a amehang a ‘Muso a akofele hore litsi tsena li oela matsohong hang.

 Ha ke khetha puo ea ka ho lona ke re, Lesotho le ea le habile ho fihlela sehlohlolo sa tokisetso ea likhetho tse akaretsang tsa naha tse tla tso’aroa ka la 25 Mots’eanong 2002. ‘Muso oa lona o entse tsohle tse matleng a ona ho phethisa ts’ebetso ena ka bokhabane. Ke le kopa hore bohle ba itokiselitseng ho kena ts’ebetsong ena ea bohlokoa – hlokoa kamoo ho hlophiloeng ka teng, re eeng litsing tsa khethelo ho ea khetha puso e tla arabela litlhoko tsa Basotho tsa tlala, bofuma, bosholu haholo ba liphoofolo, seoa sa HIV/AIDS, tlhokomelo ea bana joaloka sechaba sa ka moso le tlhoko ea mesebetsi Lesotho ‘me re ee ka khotso re sebetse ka khotso ho fihlela mosebetsi o phethehile.

 Ha ke feta moo ke re, ke phatlalatsa mona litsi tsena tsa tlholeho tsa Morero oa Metsi a Lihlaba li butsoe ka molao letsatsing lena la la 16 Mots’eanong, 2002.

 Khotso, Pula Nala Basotho

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