13 May 2014

King Letsie III of Lesotho says traditional institutions such as Ntlo Ya Dikgosi and Lesotho Senate are strong institutions that enhance democracy.

Speaking during a courtesy call on chairperson of Ntlo Ya Dikgosi, Kgosi Puso, King Letsie said traditional institutions helped in fostering democracy, human rights and peace.

King Letsie said like Ntlo Ya Dikgosi, the senate in Lesotho, which has 22 principal chiefs and 11 chiefs appointed by him, also performed a similar role of giving advice to the national assembly.

He said his visit to Botswana indicated a historic and cultural heritage that Botswana and Lesotho shared. For his part, Kgosi Puso explained that traditional leadership was the foundation of modern democracy.

He said bogosi was close to the people where participatory democracy was practiced without fear. He also explained that Ntlo Ya Dikgosi was part of the National Assembly because it advised Parliament on cultural issues.

Therefore, bills on cultural issues and land go to Ntlo Ya Dikgosi before second reading in Parliament. Kgosi Puso also said Ntlo Ya Dikgosi viewed itself as an integral part of promoting democracy and the rule of law in Botswana.

He said Botswana and Lesotho shared the same values and this was evidenced by the assistance each country rendered to the other to shape the direction of what the two countries should look like. He added that King Letsie’s visit strengthened the relationship between Botswana and Lesotho.

King Letsie is in Botswana for a three-day state visit at the invitation of President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama. The visit that started on Monday May 12 will see King Letsie visiting the Botswana Meat Commission, Diamond Treading Company and Kasane. Ends