LESOTHO AND FREE STATE SHARE EXPERIENCES
	Maseru, May 26 - Minister of Tourism, Environment and Culture Ms. Lebohang Nts'inyi says Cultural traits and patterns shared between Lesotho and the South African neighbouring province Free State could establish cultural cooperation amongst the two. Ms. Nts'inyi was delivering a speech at a Cultural Cooperation meeting between Lesotho and the Free State held at the National Library on Friday. She said the development of Arts and Crafts shared by the two countries form a central part in developing and empowering the rural communities and these could contribute in the poverty alleviation. The Minister showed that the exchanges in the form of exhibitions, and competition participation in each others festivals would go a long way and such festivals could improve even better. She indicated that cooperation can also be intensified in the form of exchanges of expertise workshops, training programs and joint research programs such as in the archaeology, conservation of heritage. Ms. Nts'inyi added that there is a need to get Technical and Professional staff to develop programmes that will highlight and enhance complementariness between Lesotho and Free State. Speaking at this Occasion, the Free State Minister of Environment and Culture Mrs. Susan Mnuzana said both countries have remote areas occupied by the less privileged people, and it is through the exchange of views between the two that the lives of such people could be improved. She said it is her hope that the meeting will come up with the implementable  strategies that will benefit their peoples. The objective of the meeting was to kick start communication between Lesotho and Free State in line with the objectives of New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) and to explore areas of possible collaboration issues in the Morija Arts and Cultural Festival, Two Nations Marathon and Environmental issues. The last meeting was held in February last year.
	Source: LENA