Nthatuoa Koeshe
ORGANISERS of the annual Moshoeshoe Walk, T Connexion in partnership with the Transformation Resource Centre and the Lesotho Council of Non-governmental Organisations this week officially launched the 2019 edition of the event at the Thaba Bosiu Cultural Village.
The walk, which is scheduled for 7 to 9 March 2019, will this year be held under the theme Reforms! Walk for unity and accountability in line with the national reforms exercise which were recommended by the Southern African Development Community SADC in 2016.
The reforms were recommended in the aftermath of the report by the Justice Mpaphi Phumaphi-led 10-member Commission of Inquiry that was appointed by SADC in July 2015 to investigate the killing of former army commander, Maaparankoe Mahao, by his army colleagues.
The launch was graced with the presence of Her Majesty Queen ‘Masenate Mohato Seeiso, Deputy Prime Minister Hounourable Monyane Moleleki; Ambassador of the United States, Rebecca Gonzales and European Union (EU) Ambassador Christian Manahl.
Speaking at the launch Moleleki wished participants luck and encouraged them to be mentally fit for the walk.
“I acknowledge the Her Majesty the Queen for completing three walks in the past years and is still willing to take part in this coming one,” Mr Moleleki said.
He expressed his gratitude to T Connexion and the sponsors for their efforts in ensuring that the walk has been a success since 2007 in honour of the late founder of Basotho nation, Moshoeshoe I.
Thabo Maretlane of T Connexion said unlike in the past editions, this year they will walk with a purpose hence they decided to join hands with TRC and LCS for the main reason that they were the ones dealing with reforms.
“Basotho are at a time when they are dealing with reforms and it is important that at this time we come together and join hands,” Maretlane said.
He said because of the political and religious divisions among Basotho, it was important to focus on reforms which are meant to improve the country.
“We are not united as before and we should bear in mind that the reforms are meant to improve the country and bring us together,” he said.
On behalf of all the sponsors of the walk, Lesotho Red Cross Society Secretary General, Kopano Masilo, said as they understood what the walk meant hence, they decided to take part in it.
He said Red Cross will provide first aid during the walk to ensure the safety of participants.
“Being part of this historical walk means a lot to us and we hope to take part in future editions,” Masilo said.
For his part, the outgoing Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Monaphathi Maraka, encouraged Basotho to walk against their struggles like malnutrition, poverty, economic degradation as well as working in support of the national reforms.
“This year we will be walking against all the struggles we have been through,” Maraka said.
