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King Letsie III and Queen Massenat officially unveiled the Pioneer Mall Heritage Wall to mark the 200th anniversary of Basotho nationhood.
Lesotho is celebrating its bicentenary this year.
The Pioneer Mall Heritage Wall rotates to showcase important historical moments and milestones of the Basotho nation from its inception to the present day.
It was installed at the Pioneer Shopping Centre to celebrate, preserve and respect the cultural diversity and history of Lesotho.
The Heritage Wall project is a collaboration between Pioneer Mall owner Moruo Developments and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Sports and Culture.
The wall displays important historical materials covering two centuries since the founding of the Basotho nation by King Moshoeshoe I in 1824.
The unveiling of the wall is also in preparation for Lesotho’s bicentenary celebrations in October 2024, when it will also celebrate its 60th anniversary of independence.
In 1824, King Moshoeshoe I founded Lesotho, uniting the various tribes and clans under one king.
However, in 1868, King Moshoeshoe I was defeated by the Boers who were fighting for his land and he sought protection from Queen Victoria of England, effectively making Lesotho a British protectorate. Almost a century later, in October 1966, the country regained its independence.
His Majesty, while speaking at the event, said the unveiling of the wall was a significant moment as it marked “an important stage in the growth story of the Basotho nation”.
His Majesty said the story of the Basotho people was one of resilience, unity, diplomatic skill and unwavering determination “to uphold our collective ideals even in the face of insurmountable odds”.
“Since our founding by the visionary King Moshoeshoe I in the early 1820s, we have overcome countless challenges to preserve our culture, values and identity. Our journey has been marked by our coming together over two centuries to overcome adversity with strength and grace,” the King said.
“The Pioneer Mall Heritage Wall is a testament to this enduring spirit, encapsulating the essence of our shared heritage and the milestones that have shaped our nation’s history. This extraordinary project was a partnership between Moruo Developments and the Government of Lesotho through the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Sports and Culture, and has involved extraordinary creativity and dedication from all involved.
“This is a shining example of what corporate citizens and government entities can accomplish working together for the greater good.”
The King also commended the Moru Development Corporation for its commitment to respecting the Basotho cultural heritage and the efforts made by the department to realise the project.
“Your combined efforts have created a legacy that will educate, inspire and unite us all, not only in the ongoing
“This is not a bicentennial celebration, this is something that will be for many years to come,” the king said.
He added that the exhibition’s impact went far beyond its own walls.
“For the estimated 500,000 to 570,000 visitors who pass through Pioneer Mall each month, the Heritage Wall
It will serve as a beacon of knowledge and pride. It will give our children a deep understanding and appreciation of their roots, ensuring that the legacy of our ancestors is passed on. It’s been passed down from generation to generation,” he said.
“As we stand before these magnificent walls, I call on all Basotho to take up the responsibility of protecting our heritage.
Pioneer Mall is committed to maintaining culture at all levels of society.
“Whether it’s through education, storytelling, artistic expression or community activism, each of us has a role to play in ensuring our rich history continues to thrive and inspire others.”
The King then invited attendees to visit the Heritage Wall, imploring them to take their time to navigate this meticulously crafted monument, immerse themselves in the stories and recount the extraordinary journey of the Basotho people.
The King added that the wall should be a source of inspiration and pride, reminding the Basotho people of their strength, unity and resilience in the southern African subcontinent and elsewhere in the world.
Chairman of the Moruo Development Corporation, Sebehela Selepe, said the unveiling of Pioneer Mall would be a significant milestone in the history of Pioneer Mall and the cultural heritage of Lesotho.
“We are gathered here today to witness the culmination of a project that has been going on for more than a year. The idea of the Heritage Wall came about because of the huge interest and enthusiasm shown by the public and our talented artists when we called for submissions of artworks to celebrate the 60th birthday of His Majesty King Letsie III.day“This is a major occasion for us and also the silver jubilee of his accession to the throne of Lesotho in mid-2023,” Mr Selepe said.
“The response was very encouraging and sparked a new vision for Pioneer Mall. Coupled with the need for the Basotho nation’s bicentennial celebrations, the construction of the Heritage Wall took shape.
Mr Selepe also said the heritage wall will reflect the cultural wealth of the Basotho people and for those visiting Lesotho, “it will be a place to learn about the rich history and unique culture of the Basotho people”.
Posts King unveils cultural heritage wall to celebrate Nation’s Bicentennial First appeared in lesotho times.
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