Famo dance ( Likhalala tsa Orange Farm
Nthatuoa Koeshe
IT may be dark in the early hours of the morning, but the residents of Mafeteng district are unperturbed and go about their business as if it is midday.
This is because the day is not like many others; it is Monday 17 July 2017 and King Letsie III’s 54th birthday. Determined to pull out all the stops ahead of hosting His Majesty’s birthday bash, the residents of Mafeteng shrugged off the very chilly weather as they made the final preparations at Seeiso Leshoboro stadium.
King Letsie III was born David Mohato Bereng Seeiso at Scott Hospital in Morija on 17 July 1963 — the first son of King Moshoeshoe II and Queen Mother ‘Mamohato Bereng Seeiso.
The crowd began gathering from 7am, with the colourful event transforming Mafeteng into one big carnival.
Mathakane Kheekhe’s voice is almost hoarse from the ululating she has been doing since morning. Wearing a matching yellow Seshoeshoe and her Seanamarena blanket, the 47-year-old’s attire is in keeping with the prevailing colour code. Her face is filled with joy as she goes up and down together with other women chanting, welcoming the crowd and dignitaries to Letsie III’s birthday celebration.
“We are privileged to have been given a chance to host the King’s birthday celebration and we intend to make it the best His Majest has ever had,” she emphatically declares.
His Majesty’s arrival along with Queen ‘Masenate Mohato Seeiso is met with rapturous ululations, song and dance.
Monday’s event also saw foreign nationals living in Lesotho, including a white man dancing, to famo music much to the crowd’s delight.
Veteran photographer David Moiketsi, who has attended numerous national birthday celebrations for His Majesty over the years said the Mafeteng event was the first ever to have no technical faults.
“In 2015, parachutes landed far from where the celebrations was held and the attendance was not as impressive as this one we have experienced today,” he said.
“This was such a beautiful and colourful celebration that has left all of us happy and mesmerized.”
