His Majesty King Letsie III has commended the former First Lady, Mrs. 'Maneo Mokhehle for having played an important role in the country's politics and development.

His Majesty was speaking at the burial ceremony of Mrs. Mokhehle held at St. Agnes Anglican Church Mission in Teyateyaneng last Friday.

He said her strong believe in justice caused her and her husband (late Dr Ntsu Mokhehle) to seek political refugee in foreign countries when their political views were in disagreement with the government.

His Majesty said the deceased did not however despair, but steadfastly supported Dr Mokhehle to ensure that he reached his political goal thus shaping the country's political spectrum.

At the same occasion, the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. Lesao Lehohla compared the deceased with a government which he said strives to ensure the welfare of the nation, as well as to protect people's lives and so Mrs. Mokhehle who worked hard and supported her husband to achieve his political vision.

He added that in the same way, the deceased improved the health sector by training nurses, thus contributing immensely in its current broadness.

Mr. Lehohla said the deceased did not only become a child in her infancy, a girl when she grew up, but also became a parent and mentor to the Basotho nation.

'She influenced various groups of people, in a church environment and politics alike,' he said.

In conclusion, the Deputy Prime Minister asserted that the deceased was married to a husband who had a vision thus to become a government in his own right, and lived a miserable life that bore a good fruit, as through them the country attained independence on October 4, 1966.

Also speaking, the Principal Chief of Ha 'Mamathe, Chieftainess ‘Masenate Khabasheane-Masupha thanked God for having given Basotho the person as powerful as Mrs. Mokhehle, saying it is unfortunate that Basotho have had no time to honour heroes like Mrs. Mokhehle and her husband like those of other countries such as Dr Nelson Mandela.
On behalf of the Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD), Mr. Mpho Malie pleaded that the death of Mrs. 'M'aneo would bring about unity, reconciliation, and peace to the Basotho nation.

He commended the deceased for the sacrifice and commitment she and her husband showed in politics despite the hardships they encountered that culminated to being driven out to foreign countries such as Botswana.

Mrs. Mokhehle was born on August 23, 1923 at Likhutlong in Mohale’s Hoek and was married to the late Dr Ntsu Mokhehle in 1952. The deceased died on June 21, 2008.
They are survived by a son, two daughters and four grand children.

Source: LENA 04/07/2008