Lesotho king in 2-hour meeting with President King Letsie III
King Letsie III

King Letsie III

Elita chikwati, Harare Bureau
President Mugabe yesterday met visiting King Letsie III of Lesotho at State House, where the two leaders held high level talks on various issues to enhance bilateral cooperation and cordial relations between the two countries.

The meeting, which was part of King Letsie III’s four-day State visit, lasted for more than two hours.

Although details of the meeting could not be obtained, King Letsie III indicated on Monday that he intended to thank President Mugabe for his wise leadership that helped to stabilise the political situation in his country and the region.

Before the meeting, King Letsie III visited the National Heroes’ Acre where he said the historic monument showed the wisdom of the Zimbabwean leadership.

He said the National Heroes’ Acre should be an inspiration to the whole African continent.

King Letsie III was accompanied by Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Mumbengegwi to the National Heroes’ Acre where he laid a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

He also visited the Lion and Cheetah Park, where he had the opportunity to enjoy a game drive before visiting the National Museum and Monuments.

At the National Heroes’ Acre, King Letsie III was taken on a tour of the shrine by resident curator, Ms Rumbidzai Bvira, who chronicled the history of Zimbabwe from colonialism to independence as depicted on the two murals standing on the sides of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

King Letsie III was shown the tomb of the of the first chairman of Zanu-PF’s Dare ReChimurenga, Cde Herbert Hamandishe Chitepo and other liberation icons like the late Vice President Joshua Nkomo, who was popularly known as Father Zimbabwe.

He also visited the graves of the first national heroine Cde Sally Mugabe and Cde Arthur Guy Clutton-Brock, whom Ms Bvira described as a critical figure during the liberation struggle.

King Letsie III said the National Heroes Acre was a great monument.

“This is a great monument that the people of Zimbabwe, through the wisdom of their leadership and their wisdom, have decided to put up and create to celebrate and remember the struggles that they have gone through to achieve the independence and liberation that they now enjoy today,” he said.

“I hope this monument will continue to be an inspiration for current Zimbabweans and for future generations, not only for Zimbabwe, but for other people of the region and continent as a whole. I am glad to have the opportunity to visit for myself this historic monument.”

At the Lion and Cheetah Park, King Letsie III enjoyed a game drive, viewing different animals including lions, duiker and impala.

At the National Museum and Monuments, he was taken around by senior curators Messrs Happiness Marufu and Farai Chabata.

The duo took King Letsie through the stone age tools, the Great Zimbabwe tradition, traditional musical instruments, ancient mining and the set up of traditional homes.

Today, King Letsie III is expected to visit Victoria Falls and the Crocodile Farm, both in Matabeleland North.

Zimbabwe and Lesotho enjoy cordial relations dating back to the days of the liberation struggle.

Lesotho extended crucial assistance to Zimbabwe during the liberation struggle, which saw eminent political figures receiving education in that country.

President Mugabe played a crucial role in bringing peace and stability to Lesotho when he pre-occupied himself with solving the political turmoil in the mountainous country during his time as the Sadc chairperson.

Zimbabwe and Lesotho are bound together by a common history, similar cultures and strong economic linkages.

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