KING LETSIE III CONVEYS CONDOLENCES TO ESWATINI
SIKHUPHE - Minister of Housing and Urban Development Prince Simelane ( R) kneels down as he greets Lesotho King, Letsie III ( wearing suit), while Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Thuli Dladla and other dignitaries look on after the Basotho King landed at King Mswati III International Airport on Wednesday. RIGHT: The King was welcomed by Prime Minister Cleopas Sipho Dlamini ( R).
MANZINI – Basotho King Letsie III has forwarded condolences to the country.
This was during his working visit into the country on Wednesday. His Majesty King Letsie III landed at King Mswati III International Airport at about 10: 30am on Wednesday and spent about five hours in the country.
Upon his arrival, the Basotho King was welcomed by Prime Minister Cleopas Dlamini, his Deputy Themba Masuku, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Copperation Thuli Dladla and the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Prince Simelane.
Prince Simelane drew the attention of the Monarch when welcoming him. While the premier, his deputy and Dladla stood and elbow greeted His Majesty King Letsie III, Prince Simelane who was clad in traditional regalia knelt on the tarmac and shouted Bayethe Wenawaphakathi.
For a moment, King Letsie stood and looked at Prince Simelane before extending his elbow to greet him. Subsequent to this, the Monarch inspected the Guard of Honour before a photoshoot with the premier that was followed by a brief private meeting.
Chauffeured
Thereafter, King Letsie III was chauffeured to the Royal Villas in Ezulwini wherein he refreshed before paying a courtesy call to Her Majesty The Queen Mother.
The courtesy visit to the Indlovukazi started with an elbow greeting which made both Their Majesties brim with smiles. Thereafter, they allowed the media to capture pictures of both leaders together before engaging in a brief private meeting.
Thereafter, His Majesty King Letsie III was chauffeured to Lozitha Royal Palace where he met His Majesty King Mswati III at Mandvulo Hall. Both Their Majesties were brimming with smiles as they met before they engaged in a private meeting.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said the Lesotho King had visited Eswatini on a working trip which entailed meeting both Their Majesties ( King Mswati III and The Queen Mother)
Unrests
She said King Letsie III had forwarded words of sympathy to the authorities of the country following the recent political unrests experienced in the country in recent weeks wherein lives were lost while also property was looted, vandalised and set alight.
The minister said King Letsie III said the Basotho people were worried and concerned as they were like extended family members to the people of Eswatini.
“He said they were forwarding their sympathies and that they were with us during these trying times.
“He ( King Letsie III) said they knew Eswatini as a peaceful country and they were praying that the stability we are known for returns.”
Dladla further said King Letsie III had relayed that without the peace and stability the country was known for, all the strides made in terms of development would regress.
The minister said the visit by the Basotho King was symbolic to the relations that have existed between the BOLESWA ( Botswana, Lesotho and Eswatini) wherein the trio were colonised by the British. Upon independence, she said, the trio sought development as a pact which was affirmed by the collaboration in the development of education through the universities.
She said yesteryear leaders in the three countries had collaborated in making sure that the States developed without losing their identity. This was further supported by the Minister of Foreign Relations and Cooperation Motsepo Molise – Ramakoae.
She said Their Majesties - King Letsie III and King Mswati III – were like brothers and, therefore, the former felt it necessary to visit the kingdom and forward their condolences as the turmoil that happened in the country had surprised them given that the country was known for peace in the region – Southern Africa.
“Our message is that of peace and that emaSwati should live peacefully together and rebuild the economy of the country,” Ramakoae said.
She alluded to the fact that the world was adversely affected by the coronavirus pandemic which had devastated the economy in the region.