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Mpesi Harvester
Crowds of people from all over Lesotho and elsewhere gathered at Pizzo Square in Butha-Bute District on Wednesday to celebrate the 61st birthday of His Majesty King Letsie IIIEnglish stone?Birthday.
It was a grand celebration attended by Prime Minister Sam Mattcairn, his cabinet, government officials and the diplomatic corps.
The warmest thing on Wednesday 17thdayIn July 2024, Basotho people from the most remote parts of Buta Bute district came to celebrate the festival with the King.
It was a cloudless day, and men, women, old and young hurried into the venue. The noise, laughter and mumbled conversations filled the entire venue.
All government ministers, former ministers and former prime ministers like Pakalitha Mosisili and Mokesi Majoro entered the VIP marquee and took up their seats, followed by development partners and major chiefs.
As the bright morning turned to midday, His Majesty arrived accompanied by his wife Queen Masenath Mohato Sisso. His Majesty was given a royal salute by 430 soldiers of the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) who had been standing by since early morning, awaiting his arrival. ????
The military band blared out Happy Birthday to His Majesty the King, and in the background a twenty-one-gun salute created a spectacular roar as the Basotho people cheered.
However, the highlight was not one cake, but three magnificent cakes in royal blue and gold: the colours that symbolise royalty.
From then on, the day was filled with cheers as men and women from Buta Bute performed various traditional activities with graceful performances of Mokhibo, Ntlamo, Mohobelo and recitation of Sesotho poetry.
The poems are dedicated to King Letsie III, praising him as a wise, patient king who has been on the throne for nearly thirty years and has led the country with grace.
However, no official speeches are planned for the day as after the performance, the public will go to different locations for feeding as part of the celebrations.
After the event, the main chief of Buta-Bute village, Ret?elisitsoe Mopeli, told the media:Sunday Express The people of Butabut were very happy because the king agreed to celebrate this important day here.
Chief Mopeli said the day was so special because this year King Letsie III’s birthday coincided with the celebrations of Lesotho’s bicentenary.
The Basotho nation was founded by King Moshoeshoe I in the Buta Bute region in 1824 and will celebrate its 200th anniversary in 2024.
“It means a lot to us, the people of Butabut, that the king has decided to celebrate his birthday here,” Chief Mopeli said.
“We are also celebrating the 200th anniversary of the Basotho nation. It is such a glorious moment, this year we are celebrating the 200th anniversary and we are also celebrating His Majesty the King’s birthday in Buta-Bute.”
According to protocol, the King’s birthday should have been celebrated in Berea. However, 2024 marks the 200th anniversary of Basotho nationhood, so it was decided to hold the birthday celebrations in the birthplace of Basotho.
“This celebration was supposed to be held in Berea but I know God and his Majesty’s ancestors told him to hold it here because King Moshoeshoe I moved from Buta Bute to Thababosho,” Chief Mopeli said.
“We are very happy about this momentous occasion. We wish him all the best. God will surely continue to bless the king and the entire Basotho nation. May God and his ancestors bless him.”
Ordinary Likira people (Butha-Buthe people) also did not miss the opportunity to celebrate the significance of King Letsie III’s birthday in their land.
One Mathethebala Pitso, told?Sunday ExpressIt is fitting that King Letsie III celebrates his birthday this year in Butha Bute, the birthplace of the Basotho nation.
“In 1820, King Moshoeshoe I moved from Menhoaning to Butha Bute because his mother was ill. From 1820 to 1824, King Moshoeshoe I lived in Butha Bute and never returned to Menhoaning,” Mr. Pisoe explained.
“The most significant event that took place in 1824 was the migration of Moshoeshoe I from Buta Bute to Thaba Bosho. The Basotho nation was already formed then, but it was not formed when they arrived in Thaba Bosho.”
He narrated that when King Moshoeshoe I arrived in Thababoysu, he was already an established king and Thababoysu was considered the bastion of the Basotho nation. Before moving to Thababoysu, he had already united the different clans and tribes into one nation in Lesotho.
Therefore, as the Basotho nation celebrates its 200th anniversary in Butha Buthe, the birthplace of the nation, King Letsie III should also celebrate his birthday.
“If King Moshoeshoe himself is not a king, then he does not have the power and authority to negotiate and conclude alliances with other kings. Yes, when he migrated, some of his people did not follow him,” Mr. Piso said. ??
“However, we cannot underestimate this migration as the nation was formed and established in Butha-Bute in 1824. It is an important moment in the history of the Basotho nation that deserves celebration.
“So, today we are celebrating the king’s birthday here in Buta Bute. I mean, it’s only natural that he comes here and steps on the land of his ancestors.
“I hope that issues related to the history of the Basotho people will be properly dealt with, just as the royal family has done. We are very happy as the people of Butha-Bute. This shows that the leaders of this country understand the roots of the Basotho people. This day brings happiness to all who come here. As you can see, everyone is very happy today.”
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