AIDS IS A DOUBLE SWORD THAT CUTS ACROSS CLASS DIVIDE-SPEAKER

 The Speaker of the national Assembly, Ms. Ntlhoi Motsamai says HIV/AIDS is a double sword, which cuts across the class divide, and recognizes no boundaries. Ms. Motsamai said this during her remarks on the occasion of the opening of the fifth meeting of the first session of the Sixth Parliament of Lesotho at the National Assembly building on Friday.

Ms. Motsamai  pointed out that HIV/AIDS eats deep into the fabric of the society, and poses a serious challenge to the entire nation. "It is indeed disheartening to note the continuing upward spiraling figures of HIV/AIDS related deaths with the proportionate numbers of orphans as well as the child-headed households," she highlighted. Ms. Motsamai said instead of receiving reports about poverty, famine, joblessness, adverse weather conditions prohibitive to agricultural output, members of the house have had their  first hand experiences about the HIV?AIDS scourge. "Coming from similar circumstances, directly or indirectly affected by the same, there is no doubt you could relate to the plight of the people," she added.

The Speaker of Parliament said that emerging from this cruel twist of events is the fact that these problems exacerbate one another. What initially started as chain reaction, she said has ultimately become a vicious cycle of an appalling state of affairs. She therefore urged  members of the house to put aside individual partisan interests for the greater common good and to be equal to the task of ensuring unity; in the fight against HIV/AIDS, around development, poverty eradication, economic growth and prosperity and, to be of service to the nation.

On the other hand, the Speaker of Parliament congratulated the ruling party, Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD) for its victory in the by-elections for the constituencies of Khafung No. 23 and Qhoali No. 68.Meanwhile, Ms. Motsamai announced the untimely death of the Principal Chief of Malingoaneng, senator Halialoha Sekonyela who passed away on July 16 at his home at Tloha-re-Bue and was rested on August 09 this year.

Amongst the bills the house is going to debate on include the Local Government (Amendment) Bill 2003 that was presented, read for the first time and published before the winter recess.


29 August 2003