NEW SENATOR SWORN IN

The new member of the Upper House of Parliament, Senate, Chief Halikopane Sekonyela of Malingoaneng in Mokhotlong was sworn in to assume duty as senator on Thursday. Chief Sekonyela is the new Principal Chief of Malingoaneng, following the death of his elder brother, Chief Halialoha Sekonyela who died recently from a short illness.

Among the people who passed words of encouragement to the new senator is the Prime Minister, Pakalitha Mosisili who said a chief is a servant for all. He warned him not to use any discrimination or favoritism in execution of his duty as a chief. The Prime Minister said he must learn to accept the weaknesses that some of his people maybe have and serve every one with fairness regardless of his or her appearance and without bias. He pointed out that above all, he must trust God and understand the benefits of praying to him.

The president of the Senate, Chief Sempe Lejaha urged chief Sekonyela to respect his people and accept their advice and opinion as that would show him  the right direction. He said the best thing that he should do to achieve the best results in hiswork is to respect his instincts, as they can never lead him astray. The President of the Senate stated that chieftainship is a calling to lead the nation, therefore he warned Chief Halikopane  to do his duties  under the confines of the law, not according to his personal wishes. The president strongly appealed to him to avoid use of alcohol as it has spoilt the lives of many people.

On behalf of other Senators, Chieftain 'Manapo Majara, urged the new senator to first respect his wife, so that he could be able to respect the community that he would be leading. She warned him that being a Principal Chief does make him above everybody else, therefore she said he must never forget to give the elderly people in his area the respect that they deserve.

12 September 2003