Moshoeshoe’s Day Celebrations

Celebrations to mark this Year’s Moshoeshoe’s Day were held in different parts of the country.  The Day is in commemoration of the death of the Founder of the Lesotho nation, the Great Moshoeshoe I.

Flags flew at half-mast at Moshoeshoe I Statue  - Maseru - this March, 11.  The ceremony culminated in the laying of wreaths by King Letsie III; His Majesty’s Government Minister, Monyane Moleleki, who acted on behalf of the Prime Minister and by the Chiefs of Makhoakhoa, Batlokoa and Bataung clans. 

 Before laying the wreaths, the King inspected the guard of honour and received a torch from a group of runners.

Christian Council of Lesotho conducted the opening prayer for the ceremony.

Dignitaries present at the occasion were, among others, the Queen, the Queen Mother, Speaker of the National Assembly, the Chief Justice, Judges of the High Court, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Senior Government Officials and School Children.

In Butha-Buthe district, the Minister for Home Affairs and Local Government officiated the Celebrations.  Honourable Mopshatla Mabitle said, in the quest for peace, the Lesotho nation should follow in Moshoeshoe I footsteps.  Moshoeshoe I loved peace, a strategy he used to protect the Lesotho nation during the Mfecane (Lifaqane) wars.  Honourable Mabitle went on to say, at present, thieves have become enemies of peace as with stock-theft; adding, rapists should also stop their wrong – doings, since it is the violating of the rights of women and of children.  The escalating crime – rate has prompted Government to declare war against theft.  This has resulted in the ‘Clean – Sweep’ operation, undertaken by Members of the Armed Forces. 

Speaking at the same occasion, the Principal Chief of the District, Chieftainess/Mofumahali ‘Majoele Mopeli said, it is responsibility of every Citizen to protect peace; so, people should help the Armed Forces to fight crime, in order that everybody live in harmony.

In the Leribe district, the message was also designed on ‘peace’, as was a philosophy that King/Morena Moshoeshe I used, when he built the Lesotho nation and even to defeat those who were enemies to the country.

Sustainability of such a move with peace and unity can help prosper and develop the country and its people, noted the Minister, Honourable Sephiri Motanyane, as he officiated in the District.

To grace the day, there was inter alia, a narration of the ‘life’ of Morena Moshoeshoe I by the Department of Education, this being to enlighten school children on the History of the country.  There was also a Police Parade, inspected by the Minister, and singing by School pupils. 

Morena Moshoeshoe I died on March 11, 1870.