President arrives in Lesotho

President Mugabe is introduced to dignitaries at King Moshoeshoe I International Airport in Lesotho by that country’s Deputy Prime Minister Mothetjoa Metsing yesterday. (Picture by Presidential Photographer Joseph Nyadzayo)

Lawson Mabhena in MASERU, Lesotho

President Mugabe arrived here yesterday to join other Heads of State and Government attending the Kingdom’s Golden Jubilee celebrations set for today. The President was accompanied by Foreign Affairs Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi and senior Government officials.He was received by Lesotho Deputy Prime Minister Mothetjoa Metsing, Service Chiefs and Zimbabwe Ambassador to South Africa and Lesotho Isaac Moyo.

President Mugabe was given military honours by a 144-strong 1.1 infantry battalion and, an army brass band performed the national anthems of Lesotho and Zimbabwe, respectively.

President Mugabe was seen off at the Harare International Airport by senior Government officials that included Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko, Defence Minister Sydney Sekeramayi, Home Affairs Minister Ignatius Chombo, Transport and Infrastructure Development Minister Joram Gumbo and service chiefs.

Known as Lesotho National Day and celebrated on October 4, the event will be hosted by King Letsie III and Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili.

King Letsie III launched the independence torch relay on August 10 at Makoanyane Square in Maseru, with a number of other activities precursing today’s event having ended.

Lesotho is a former British colony.Lesotho (then Basutoland) became a single entity in 1822.It was united by King Moshoeshoe I.

In the 1860s, Moshoeshoe fought a series of wars with Boer settlers, who tried to colonise his land.Having lost a great portion of his territory, Moshoeshoe asked Queen Victoria for help. She agreed to establish a British protectorate over Basutoland in 1858.

The colonial era in Lesotho began in 1870, following Moshoeshoe’s death. In 1871, Basutoland was annexed to the Cape Colony.After the Gun War, it was restored to its status as a protectorate. In 1959, Basutoland was granted its first elected legislature.

Six years later, general elections were held, and on October 4, 1966, Lesotho gained full independence.Meanwhile, VP Mphoko is the Acting President.