14 Oct 2025

Member of Parliament  for  Good Hope/ Mmathethe Dr Edwin Dikoloti has implored Basotho to serve as ambassadors of peace and represent the values that Basotho identifies with.

Dr Dikoloti made a plea during Lebone La Tsosoloso cultural event celebration held at Tlhareseleele in Goodhope District on Friday.  At the event, Lesotho High Commissioner to Botswana Ntsime Jafeta and his delegation  presented Lebone La Tsosoloso or the National Revival Torch to Basotho residing in Botswana. 

Launched by King Letsie III in 2023, Lebone La Tsosoloso mission is to unify Basotho beyond Lesotho’s borders. As such, Dr Dikoloti stated that Lebone La Tsosoloso should serve as a blueprint for tolerance, self- restraint and discipline in the fight against crime and ill behaviour.

Also, he noted that the event  symbolised Basotho’s readiness for action and triumph over adversity, noting that it was also an act of spiritual guidance.

Dr Dikoloti, also the acting Minister of Lands and Agriculture, said he was in support of the Basotho’s determined commitment of shaping a child well-grounded in their cultural values and customs, building a united nation as well as a nation determined to face the challenges ahead of them.

Culture, he said, was a fundamental pillar in education and acted as a light in shaping the future as well as a nation’s life journey captured in its values, traditions and aspirations. He indicated that his intention in the five years as an area Member of Parliament was to promote culture as an instrument to boost economic growth.

He said it was crucial to establish ways in which Botswana and Lesotho could strengthen the existing working relations beyond cultural exchanges to include ways of creating wealth, and establishing business partnerships.

“Let the torch revive our businesses, peace and unity in our homes,” he said.

Dr Dikoloti also indicated that as Botswana was faced with high unemployment rate, it was essential to find ways in which the youth in Botswana could find employment opportunities in Lesotho, and also establish what the youth from Lesotho could learn locally. Lebone La Tsosoloso day, he said should be included in the national tourism calendar of events. 

High Commissioner Jafeta stated that Lebone La Tsosoloso was not only intended to revive the culture of Basotho but signified the rebirth and to inculcate the spirit of reflection and introspection.

He emphasised that it was a strategic way of fostering unity and peace amongst Basotho wherever they resided. The aim, he said was to follow on the footsteps of their forefathers and toe the line that King Moshoshoe had laid.

Jafeta said the torch would strengthen the existing working relations between Botswana and Lesotho. Batswana and Basotho, he said, were united by various aspects, citing language as one particular aspect as much as the torch event that distinguished them from other nations.

The aim of the event was to revive and restore the culture of Basotho in Botswana and Lesotho and to also celebrate 200 years of the existence of Basotho tribe. ENDS