King Celebrates his 41st in Mokhotlong |
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2004 King's Birthday celebrations, taken to the mountain district of
Mokhotlong for the first time in their history this year, were successful,
attracting crowds estimated at some 100 000 people. The King is 41 years old
this year.
Hosted the previous night at Thabang, the home of the Principal Chief of Mokhotlong and younger brother to the late King Moshoeshoe II, Morena Mathealira Seeiso, the King was escorted the six or so kilometres to the Mokhotlong pitso ground by mounted men, led by his younger brother, the Principal Chief of Matsieng, Morena Seeiso Bereng Seeiso and a guard of honour by the Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) in their ceremonial blue and red uniform and peaked hats. The crowds were obviously fascinated by the army parade, with the soldiers themselves doing the best to entertain them, especially during the time the parade goose-stepped row after row, in front of the royal family. to give their respects (parade march past) and a fly-over by army helicopters carrying the national and royal flags. Also present at the celebrations were famous local famo band Sefako sa Menoaneng. LENA also reports that a horse race had been held the previous day, July 16th, as part of the celebrations. King Letsie III was born Mohato Bereng Seeiso at the Scott Hospital, Morija, on 17th July 1963. Starting his first years of primary schooling at Iketsetseng Primary School in Maseru, the King continued his education in the United Kingdom, first at Gilling Castle to complete his primary education and then on to his father's alma mater, Ampleforth College, for his secondary and high schooling. He completed a Bachelor of Law degree at the National University of Lesotho in 1984 and for the next two years was at the the University of Bristol for a diploma in English Legal Studies. After a year at the University of Cambridge studying Development Studies, King Letsie III moved on to Wye College of the University of London, studying Agricultural Economics. Prince Mohato Bereng Seeiso was sworn into the Office of King under the new Office of the King Order no. 14 of 1990, on 12 November 1990, assuming the title Letsie III. He was married to Miss Karabo Mots'oeneng on 18th February 2000. They have a daughter, Princess Senate. 19 July 2004 |
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