His Majesty King Letsie III has commended the Linakeng communities for their engagement in nutrition and soil conservation projects in the area, saying this makes him happy and proud.
This, His Majesty said when addressing the Linakeng community during his tour of the nutrition and soil conservation project at Linakeng in the Thaba-Tseka district on Thursday. He expressed appreciation that the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) and the Ministry of Forestry, Range and Soil Conservation organized this tour where the project was implemented.
He said he is happy that the project which phased out in July 2021 has changed people’s lives for the better.
Addressing the community, he said, it must be a sad moment as it feels like the project could last for a lifetime, however urging the communities to continue practicing what they have learned from the project.
He, therefore, urged the local authorities and communities to protect and improve what the project has left as well as to continue with the good work for the other communities to copy and practice in their areas.
His Majesty added it is also important to have proper infrastructure, saying this will make it easy for investors to bring projects closer to communities and enable them to easily access the market.
He, therefore, appealed to teachers to educate pupils about proper care of rangelands, wetlands and the environment at an early age so that they grow up practicing these skills.
Speaking at the same event, the Minister of Forestry, Range and Soil Conservation, Mr. Motlohi Maliehe expressed gratitude over His Majesty’s visit to the project which he said has rehabilitated areas that they thought would never come to life again.
He said history has taught that for developmental projects to be sustained, communities must be consulted and engaged rather than imposing such projects.
He said he is happy that FAO through GEF funding has helped people with water harvesting, rehabilitation of wetlands, improving rangelands, and promoted good nutrition amongst others.
The Member of Parliament for Mashai Constituency, also Minister of Transport, Mr. Ts’oeu Mokeretla expressed his gratitude that the project changed people’s lives in these villages which include Linakeng, Matletseng, Seroalankhoana, Ha Rajoalane, Ha Khoali, Ha Khatho.
He said currently he can boast that every household has planted fruit trees and vegetables.
At the same event, His Majesty toured stalls of exhibited products such as dried fruits, poultry, rabbits, canned fruits and vegetables as well as green vegetables and fodder.
His Majesty also toured one of the biggest shade nets at Linakeng where the owner showed him the vegetables he had planted and told him how they have changed his life as he is now able to produce and sell to the surrounding villages. His Majesty, therefore, applauded Mr. Polao for the good work and urged him to continue to produce more in the coming 20 years.
In appreciation of His Majesty’s visit, these communities presented him with a blanket.
Source: LENA 15/10/2021