SPEECH BY HER MAJESTY, THE QUEEN MOTHER OF LESOTHO,‘MAMOHATO B. SEEISO  AT A RECEPTION 

TO MARK THE OFFICIAL VISIT OF THE QUEEN MOTHER OF THE KINGDOM OF SWAZILAND, INDLOVUKAZI INTOMBI

IN THE KINGDOM OF LESOTHO

THE ROYAL PALACE  -  LESOTHO

24 SEPTEMBER, 2001

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*YOUR MAJESTY, THE INDLOVUKAZI OF THE KINGDOM OF SWAZILAND,

*YOUR MAJESTY, KING LETSIE III,

*YOUR MAJESTY, QUEEN KARABO,

*THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE PRIME MINISTER AND MRS. MOSISILI,

*HONOURABLE MINISTERS FROM SWAZILAND AND LESOTHO,

*MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL FAMILY,

*DISTINGUISHED GUESTS,

*LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,

IN THE NAME OF THE GOVERNMENT OF LESOTHO, THE ROYAL FAMILY AND ON MY OWN BEHALF, I WISH TO WELCOME YOU ALL TO THIS EVENING’S FUNCTION.   IN PARTICULAR, LET ME EXTEND OUR HEARTY WELCOME TO YOUR MAJESTY, THE INDLOVUKAZI OF THE SISTERLY KINGDOM OF SWAZILAND.

YOUR MAJESTY, LESOTHO AND THE KINGDOM OF SWAZILAND HAVE HAD A SPECIAL LONG-STANDING RELATIONSHIP, WHICH HAS STOOD THE TEST OF TIME.   THE FRIENDLY AND CORDIAL RELATIONS BETWEEN OUR TWO KINGDOMS HAVE MANIFESTED THEMSELVES IN VARIOUS WAYS INCLUDING ENROLLMENT OF ONE ANOTHER’S STUDENTS IN OUR RESPECTIVE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING.    WE ARE HAPPY ALSO TO NOTE THAT, AT REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL LEVELS, OUR TWO COUNTRIES HAVE COOPERATED CLOSELY IN A MANNER THAT MAKES US PROUD.   WE DEEPLY CHERISH THIS HEALTHY BOND OF FRIENDSHIP AND HOPE THAT YOUR MAJESTY’S VISIT WILL FURTHER PROPEL THE EXISTING COOPERATION BETWEEN OUR TWO COUNTRIES TO NEW HEIGHTS. 

YOUR MAJESTY, WE ALSO FEEL HONOURED TO BE IDENTIFIED WITH THE GREAT PEOPLE OF THE KINGDOM OF SWAZILAND IN RECOGNITION OF THE VITAL ROLE PLAYED BY OUR TRADITIONAL RULERS.  IT IS OUR STRONG BELIEF THAT OUR NATIONAL ASPIRATIONS CAN RISE TO THEIR FULL POTENTIAL ONLY WHEN THEY ARE SUPPORTED BY THE TRADITIONS, CULTURE AND INSTITUTIONS OF THE PEOPLE.

YOUR MAJESTY, IT WOULD BE REMISS OF ME IF I WERE TO CONCLUDE MY WELCOME REMARKS WITHOUT MAKING REFERENCE TO THE KILLER DISEASE OF OUR TIME.  THE WORLD TODAY IS CONFRONTED WITH THE DEADLY DISEASE OF HIV/AIDS, WHICH THREATENS TO WIPE OUT MANKIND FROM THE FACE OF THE EARTH.   AS SCIENTISTS ARE HARD AT WORK TO FIND A CURE FOR HIV/AIDS, WE, AS LEADERS OF OUR NATIONS, SHOULD MOUNT CAMPAIGNS TO SENSITIZE OUR PEOPLE ABOUT THIS DISEASE WHILE AT THE SAME TIME SUPPORTING THOSE THAT ARE AFFECTED.

ONCE AGAIN, YOUR MAJESTY, YOU ARE MOST WELCOME AND WE SINCERELY HOPE THAT YOU WILL ENJOY YOUR STAY WITH US.  

 WELCOME, YOUR MAJESTY!!!