MASITISE CAVE HOUSE MUSEUM TO ATTRACT TOURISM-DR. NYAPHISI

The newly restored Masitise Cave House Museum is likely to boost the country's economic development by attracting tourists and historians from other countries. These were the views of many speakers during the official opening of the museum after extensive restoration work and  provision of new exhibitions conducted at Masitise in Quthing on Friday last week.

In his  keynote address after handing over the keys to the member of the  Cave House Committee, the Morija Museum Board member, Dr. Makase Nyapisi said the place will be a tourist's attraction  that would eventually boost the economy of the country. He urged the Masitise Community to look after the place and to also preserve trees as well as some of the indigenous plants that are found around Masitise.

Dr. Nyaphisi conveyed gratitude to the United States of America for funding restoration work including the Lesotho Evangelical Church (LEC) as well as Morija Museum and archives. He challenged the media to disseminate information about this place in order to sensitise foreigners about the importance of this place so that they can develop interest  to visit it." Media could play a vital role by disseminating information about the existence and the importance of this place so that people living on the other side of the world could know about it," he added.

On the other hand, the U.S. Ambassador to Lesotho Mr. Robert Loftis expressed hope that the Masitise Cave House will serve as a magnet to bring visitors to learn more about Basotho culture and Lesotho's history. He said tourists are currently flocking at Morija in numbers after the publication of the book 'Murder at Morija' that was also renovated by the US, adding that his government  is looking for new projects to support under the Ambassador's Fund for Cultural Preservation.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Tourism, Environment and Culture, Mrs. Ntsema Khit'sane who is the Director of Culture said Quthing is full of indigenous plants and places that make it unique. She said the area   needs to be reserved for future generations and for tourism purposes. The Director of Culture said as this place was discovered and developed by the Lesotho Evangelical Church missionaries, it  shows that they had passion for Basotho culture and never despised it and also thanked the US Ambassador for the fund.

Extensive restoration work has been carried out at the Masitise Cave House Museum so that it could fulfill to a greater extent its role as a heritage and educational site. Restoration  started in March last year through the grant from US Ambassador's Fund for Cultural Preservation. The restoration work at the cave includes landscaping and the upgrading of the entrance road. More exhibitions have also been put for display at the museum.
 

4 August 2003