Chief Bereng Griffith Api was officially installed as the Principal Chief of Ha-Ramabanta by King Letsie III on October 28.

The King asked the newly installed Principal Chief to exercise the highest level of faithfulness to the public under his jurisdiction. The benefit of this principle is the maintenance of good governance which entails, among others, good leadership and administration of justice.

The difficult job Chief Api will now be engaged in cannot be properly handled unless he consults with other principal chiefs, the King said, also advising Chief Api to act in accordance with provisions of the Chieftainship Act of 1986, as well as other laws of the country as guidelines for his leadership.

Minister of Local Government Dr. Pontšo Sekatle appealed to Chief Api to fully participate in developmental activities, warning him about statements which give false impressions about the nature of local government. She asked him to play a leading role in making the local government concept a success.

On behalf of other chiefs, the Principal Chief of Likhoele, Chief Lerotholi Seeiso asked the newly installed chief to serve people under his jurisdiction without favour. Chieftainship entails good service, the safety and protection of people. Compliance with the above constitutes good governance, he said.

Chief Api succeeds his father chief Seeiso Griffith Api who died in September last year. Successor to the chieftainship, Leshoboro Griffith Api, died in 2003 and the younger brother Bereng was next in line.

31 October 2005