SPEECH BY THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE PRIME MINISTER NTATE PAKALITHA B. MOSISILI, MP. DURING THE LAUNCH OF THE SMART PARTNERSHIP SOUTHERN AFRICAN INTERNATIONAL DIALOGUE (SAID) 2005 AND THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE NATIONAL DIALOGUE ON SAID 2005 ‘MANTHABISENG CONVENTION CENTRE MASERU                                 18 MAY, 2005

His Majesty King Letsie III

Honourable President of Senate

Honourable Speaker of the National Assembly

Your Lordship the Chief Justice

Honourable Deputy Prime Minister

Honourable Ministers

Your Lordships Judges of the High Court

Honourable Members of the Council of State

Your Excellencies Heads of Diplomatic Mission and International Organisations

Honourable Attorney General

Honourable Members of Parliament

Chairpersons of the Public Service Commission,

the Independent Electoral Commission and

the Teaching Service Commission

Government Secretary

Ombudsman

Auditor General

Director of Public Prosecutions

Church Leaders

Leaders of Political Parties

Senior Government Officials

Heads of Defence, the Police, the National Security and the Prison Services

Distinguished Guests from the CPTM and the Smart Partnership Movement

Distinguished Members of the Public, Business and NGO Sectors

Ladies and Gentlemen

Smart Partners all!

 It is my singular honour and  privilege to welcome you all to this historic occasion: The Launch of the Southern African International Dialogue (SAID) on Smart Partnership, which our country is privileged to host in Maseru, from 9 to 12 November, this year. 

We are gathered here today to engage in a Dialogue that will better prepare us to host this valuable and most prestigious event, SAID 2005. I therefore, implore all of you to give of your best so that SAID 2005 will be a resounding success.

Master of Ceremonies, 

For the benefit of those who are not familiar with the concept of the Smart Partnership Dialogues, allow me to preface my remarks with a brief account of  how the idea was first mooted.  At their meeting in Auckland, New  Zealand, in 1995, the Commonwealth Heads of Government, agreed to form the Commonwealth Partnership for Technology Management (CPTM), a precursor to the Smart Partnership Movement. 

The Smart Partnership Movement is, therefore, a new initiative aimed at combining the resources of the CPTM with those of the private  sector  for   the  maximum   exploitation   of   technology   for development.  Supported by Heads of Government throughout the Commonwealth, the Smart Partnership Movement has created an international network of expertise capable of managing the exploitation of technology for sustainable socio-economic growth.   

The Smart Partnership Movement meets its demands through a common and integrated approach to innovation and cooperation in technology management.  Its activities include:

              §        identifying new business opportunities in manufacturing; 

§        initiating private sector opportunities in infrastructure development; 

§        facilitating competitiveness through technology and quality management; and 

§        integrating environmental management and business opportunities. 

The Partnership, on the one hand, benefits Government by enhancing economic development through involvement in a network that promotes: 

§        increased national capacity for the creation of new industries;

§        harnessing of existing research and technology activities to enhance wealth creation;

§        access to the management and innovation skills of major companies; and

§        technology-based investment and informed debate on    public policy issues relevant to accelerated economic development. 

On the other hand, the Movement benefits the private sector through progressive and beneficial business development such as:  opportunities  to  contribute  to  debates  on  public  policy  in areas relevant to industry; linkage to a network of private sectors cooperating on a global scale; and insight into business investment and joint venture opportunities. 

Thus, the Partnership not only stimulates links between business development and government policy-making,  but establishes and disseminates best practice in technology management, and  delivers good business and management practices in integrating research and technology for economic and social benefit.  In this regard, the objectives of these Smart Partnership Dialogues, including SAID 2005, are:  

§        to continue to foster the Smart Partnership principles across nations, nationalities, government, business and social sectors;

§        to share experiences and lessons learned in governmental, economic and socio-political areas;

§        to explore the utilisation of resources that can benefit and enhance the well-being of the Smart Partnership international community; 

§        to provide an  avenue for the Specialised Link group members, namely, Government and Politics, Business and Labour , Arts and Culture, Social Sector, Academia, Media  

§        and Youth (Club 29), to network, share and consult each other on issues, opportunities and challenges confronting them; and 

§        to facilitate the collaboration and integration of the various regional Hubs and Webs to create an open global citizenship.  

Distinguished Participants, 

As some of you will recall, in August, 2002, at the Langkawi International Dialogue in Malaysia, I told Smart Partners that when the people of Lesotho gather for a public discourse on a solemn matter and on occasions similar to the Smart Partnership Dialogues, they  proclaim in unison; “Khotso, Pula, Nala” (Peace, Rain, Prosperity)’.  Peace is affirmed even when two people meet and greet each other.  Rain is an enabling stimulus to growth.  Put together, Peace and Rain produce Prosperity.  Again, in July, 2004, while attending another Langkawi International Dialogue, and after all the Smart Partners had invited Lesotho to host SAID 2005, I said “the Dialogue in Lesotho will be different”.  Even today I still maintain that the Dialogue in November, 2005 will be different.  Not different because it will be more lavish than previous Dialogues, but because it will be happening in a country  renowned for peace; and a nation well-known for its warmth and traditional hospitality. In other words, SAID 2005 will be held in an environment of peace and tranquillity.  It will, indeed, be  a memorable event, hosted by this country of many  firsts that boasts, inter alia, the highest diamond mine in the world; and the highest  lowest  point  above  sea  level.    We  hope  that  Lesotho altitude  and  fresh air  will enhance and facilitate productive deliberations.

 Master of Ceremonies, 

The Launch of SAID 2005 is combined with the National Dialogue on SAID 2005, which will begin shortly today. As  many of you will recall,  Basotho believe in dialogue. In this regard, our forebears discussed issues of national interest at public gatherings (lipitso). We have held a myriad of dialogues, and they have worked wonders for us.  Mention can be made here of the Poverty Reduction Strategy and the Lesotho Vision 2020 document, both of which are a  result of dialogue at all levels of society in Lesotho.  Perhaps it is worth mentioning here that the idea of a national vision came from the Smart Partnership Movement.  

I therefore, appeal to every Mosotho to participate in this National Dialogue with vigour and self-less dedication in preparation for SAID 2005.  Perhaps I should warn you that the Dialogue, in November, will be a  momentous occasion bringing together many Heads of State and Government and the Business Fraternity, Labour and eminent persons to discuss issues of mutual benefit for our nations.  Let us all take the opportunity of this coming Dialogue to make it a pillar of strength for lasting peace and stability in our beloved Mountain Kingdom.  Let us show our visitors the real Sesotho way of welcoming guests.  

Master of Ceremonies,

Distinguished Participants, 

As I speak, all the structures that are expected to be established  in preparation for the SAID 2005 are in place and  fully operational.  In Smart Partnership parlance, we have the Advisory Council composed of the Cabinet Sub-Committee and chaired by the Honourable Deputy Prime Minister; the Joint Executive Group (JEG), headed by the Government Secretary as the Joint Dialogue Convener (JDC), and composed of the private sector, the Government and all the stakeholders from the Specialised Links.  There is also the Project Management Group (PMG) composed of members of our already established National Ceremonies Committee which has adequate experience in logistical preparations for national and international events.  And last, but not least, there is the Joint Secretariat (JS) which services all the structures mentioned above. 

Above all, the Budget for the Dialogue has already been approved. (But we hasten to say that this does NOT mean the funds have been secured!) Admittedly, it is a big Budget, but the benefits that will accrue from this Dialogue far surpass the expenditure that we shall incur. 

Master of Ceremonies,

Distinguished Participants, 

This Dialogue could not have come at a more opportune time.  We have just completed successful Local Government elections, and are  establishing Local Authorities through which we are empowering our people and extending democracy to the grassroots.   It is our belief that through local governance the idea of  Smart Partnership will be realised with tangible results.  In fact, the idea of Smart Partnership is not new in our country. Basotho are renowned  for working together to achieve a common goal. In the good old days, and in the not too distant past,  households were built together and fields were ploughed together (ka matsema). This was the realization of the “prosper thy neighbour,” spirit “the win-win situation” and a “Smart Partnership”.  Let us use the opportunity offered by this Dialogue to review our socio-cultural practices and go back to our roots. 

We need each other even more as we confront serious and seemingly intractable problems such as the HIV and AIDS pandemic and related maladies, poverty, unemployment, drought and land degradation. Together we can and must tackle these problems. 

Sechaba sa heso,

Monyetla ke oo oa hore re fetole tšobotsi ea naha ea rona hore re e khutlisetse moo baholo-holo ba rona ba neng ba e behile teng. Sena re ka se fihlela ka ho sebelisa leano la Seahlolo-se-Babatsehang (Smart Partnership), seo ka sona ho renang khotso, kutloano, kutloelano-bohloko, mamellano, tlhomphano, boikokobetso, chebelo-pele, mohau, thusano, empa ka ho fetisisa, moo ho renang khora le nala. 

Re le Basotho re na le lipolelo tse ntle tse matla tseo re ithutileng tsona bophelong tse kang:

     §        Tlou ha e hloloe ke moroalo; 

§        Kopano ke matla; 

§        Lehlaahlela le lla ka le leng; 

§        Bana ba khoale ba bitsana ka mololi; 

§        U ka nketsang ha e ahe motse, motse ho ahoa oa morapeli; 

§        Marema-tlou a ntsoe-leng; 

§        Moro khotla ha o okoloe mafura; 

§        Mooa-khotla ha a tsekisoe; 

§        Bohlale ha bo ahe ntlong e le ’ngoe; 

§        Tsela e botsoa ho ba pele; 

§        Moeti, tlo heso re je, le tse ling tse ngata.  

Kaofela lipolelo tsena li supa hantle-ntle Seahlolo-se-Babatsehang, moo re sebeletsang katleho ea rona kaofela re le ’moho, ka sepheo se le seng. 

Ka hona, benghali ba ka, ke se ke etsa kopo-thapeli hore re keneng lipuisanong tsena ka matla, sehlahlo le bolokolohi. Holim’a tsohle, a re keneng lipuisanong tsena ka tlhomphano, mamellano le boikokobetso e le hore re tle re tsebe ho ntša naha ea rona bofumeng bona boo e khasang kahar’a bona. 

Baeti ba tlang Lesotho mona ka Pulungoana, monongoaha, ke baeti ba bohlokoa haholo hobane ke Lihlooho tsa Linaha le Mebuso, esita le bahoebi ba boemo ba Machaba.   Boteng ba bona mona Lesotho bo re fa monyetla oa ho bapatsa naha ea rona le lihlahisoa tsa eona, ho matlafatsa bohahlauli le ho ithekisa (ka moelelo o nepahetseng) re le Basotho ka litsebo tsa rona tse fapakaneng, e le hore Basotho ba bangata ba une molemo.   A re sebeliseng monyetla ona hantle  re tle re  tsebeng ho fetola sebopeho sa naha ea rona esita le sa maphelo a rona, etsoe “lijo li jeoa ka baeti”. 

Ho lokisetsa ’Moka ona oa bohlokoa, re tlamehang ho tšoarana ka matsoho, ho hata ’moho, re le ’Muso, re le Mekhatlo e Ikemetseng, bahoebi, esita le batho bohle ka mekhahlelo ea bona hore re tle re atlehise lipuisano tsena tsa Seahlolo-se-Babatsehang.  Lipuisano tsena li tla tšoareloa mona Maseru, Holong ea Liboka ea ’Manthabiseng, ho tloha ka la robong ho isa la leshome le metso e ’meli Pulungoana, monongoaha (9 – 12 November, 2005).  Ka hoo, ke re mohoma temeng Ma-apara-kobo a matle, etsoe “ha ho haptjoa likhomo ha ho tšehisanoe”.   A re ikemisetseng ho ikakhela ka setotsoana lipuisanong tsena tsa kajeno e le selelekela, e bile e se e ntse e le boitokisetso bo matla ba lipuisano tsa SAID 2005, ka Pulungoana. 

Master of Ceremonies,

Distinguished Participants, 

To conclude my remarks, allow me to welcome  most heartily, our visitors from CPTM and hope that notwithstanding the cold weather,  they will enjoy the warmth that Basotho are known for.  We pride ourselves with our cold winter and our warm hearts.  Let me also thank you all for having made the time to participate despite your busy schedules.  I wish you fruitful discussions in this important undertaking and hope that you will enjoy the modest hospitality that we are extending  to you.  

It is now my pleasure and honour to declare the SAID 2005 officially launched and the National Dialogue officially opened.     

I thank you for your attention.

           KHOTSO!   PULA!   NALA!

19 May 2005