'MATE COMMUNITY HAILS PLAN TO DEVELOP MENKHOANENG

The community of 'Mate Ha Selebalo in the constituency of Mohobollo say that the government's plan to develop Menkhoaneng, where the Founder of the nation Moshoeshoe I was born is a noble step for preservation of Basotho culture and history. They spoke at the gathering in which the district secretary invited the parliamentarians of the constituencies around Mohobollo to listen to the expectations of the people about the proposed project of turning Menkhoaneng into a cultural village.

The community says that Menkhoaneng marks the beginning of History in Lesotho and their area deserved a large recognition. They showed their outstanding expectation as job creation that will enable flow of income for poverty alleviation in their respective villages.

Meanwhile, a Member of Parliament for Hlotse Mr. Sello Maphalla said that while the project should be entirely owned by the community with technical assistance from the government, there are other issues such as the construction of roads and bridge leading to Menkhoaneng that need quick and special attention. He said that although  income generation is the central objective, it should be taken as a long term benefit while in the meantime, the community must show their commitment in a manner that reflect a sense of ownership. He said that they must protect the area earmarked for development, and start the collection of any natural recourses needed for construction and even the cultural handicrafts to show  their potential.

Mr. Maphalla noted that it is the government's objective to rehabilitate all areas, which hold the History of Basotho, and to develop them into tourism attractions. He added that Menkhoaneng has always been a focus stimulated by celebrations of Moshoeshoe's  day on March 11 that the district authority feel Menkhoaneng is an ideal place for the event.

The gathering was accompanied with a tour to the place where Moshoeshoe I was born. The tour  was organized by the team lead by the District Secretary, the Principal Chief and the tourism officer for Leribe Ms. Dinah Mangope whose office is behind the implementation of the project. The community of 'Mate Ha Selebalo have started collecting thatched grass and have already identified the forest in which tree will used for roofing with local builders ready for work.

12 November 2003