This year’s King’s birthday celebration was different from previous years when the nation celebrated the day with traditional events and everyone dressed up in traditional apparel.
The commemoration this year took a new turn when the Christian Council of Lesotho (CCL) organised a prayer session on the grounds of the Royal Palace to send well wishes to His Majesty King Letsie III and the entire royal family.
The celebration has always alternated between the ten districts, but this year His Majesty ordered that the money that was previously set aside for his birthday be repurposed to support other important public services.
At a ceremony conducted at the Royal Palace in May 2022, His Majesty presented three high-care ambulances to the Ministry of Health. The three ambulances were purchased using money intended for the 2020 King’s Birthday celebration, but it was decided that the festival would not take place and that the M2 million would instead be spent to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
The leader of the Alliance of Democrats (AD), Mr. Monyane Moleleki, stated in an interview with some of the politicians who attended a prayer that it was a great gesture on his Majesty’s part to reach out to vulnerable ministries, particularly the Ministry of Health, which is battling the COVID-19 pandemic.
Once more, he noted that the country must concentrate on other important issues like high unemployment and hunger, suggesting that the money may be deployed to address such problems. He argued that despite the challenging times of price increases, now is the moment for everyone to reconsider helping one another.
Mr. Moleleki praised the Christian Council of Lesotho (CCL) for taking the initiative to organise a prayer for both the King’s Birthday celebration and the nation’s political stability.
In order to maintain political stability in the nation, Mr. Nkaku Kabi, the Leader of the All Basotho Convention (ABC), stated that elections must be held peacefully. He added that this has become the norm and that this needs to change.
He said they are working hard to maintain peace and stability in the nation despite political divisions and expressed hope that this year’s elections will bring stability, peace, and a favourable change in economic growth.
The Prime Minister, Dr. Moeketsi Majoro, as well as cabinet ministers, members of diplomatic missions, royal family members, politicians, and top government officials attended this occasion.