The Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Dr Retšelisitsoe Matlanyane the Launched Lesotho SADC Success Stories Booklet at the event held in Maseru on Wednesday.
Speaking at the event, Dr Matlanyane said Today’s event is an opportunity to showcase Lesotho’s achievements by virtue of being a member of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
She noted the Government of Lesotho recognises that information dissemination forms the foundations of good governance and accountability.
She stressed that the booklet should assist in building SADC visibility, which in turn can engender collaboration and partnership in the implementation of the SADC agenda.
She stressed that Lesotho has been a member of SADC since its establishment, when it was Coordinating Community, saying scoping study that was done in 2018 brought to light the fact that many Basotho do not know what benefit Lesotho is getting from being a member of SADC.
He further noted the preliminary articles were drafted and COVID-19 happened leading to the compilation only being finalised towards the end of 2022.
He, therefore, expressed gratitude to the people who contributed the information that enabled them to put together this publication, for taking time to tirelessly work with the Ministry’s staff and the consultant without expecting any remuneration, saying that is true patriotism.
“To you, members of the Media fraternity, please continue to report stories such as those captured in this booklet. Let us not only fill our reports with horrific news. Reporting on SADC-related news will also give you the opportunity to compete for the SADC Media Awards,” she stressed.
The Representative of the German Ambassador Lesotho, Dr Axel Bayer emphaised the significance of the successful collaboration between the German Government, through the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), through the Strengthening National Regional Linkages in SADC Programme (SNRL) and the Government of Lesotho, in particular the Department of Regional Integration in supporting the production of these success stories.
He further noted that the collaboration underscores the unwavering commitment of both nations towards supporting the sustainable development and progress of SADC member states, saying it is through such partnerships that they can leverage their collective strengths and work towards achieving their shared vision of a prosperous and integrated region.
Also speaking, the Acting Director of Industrial Development and Trade at the SADC Secretariat, Mr. Calicious Tutalise said the progress made, SADC continues to deepen the integration aspirations of the region in various priority areas, saying strengthening communications in the region remains the Secretariat’s main priority, as reflected in the Regional Indicative Strategic Plan (RISDP) 2020-2030.
He said SADC success stories remain a critical vehicle to raise visibility and awareness aimed at triggering and maintaining the interests, understanding and participation of the citizenry and public officials responsible for driving the regional agenda.
Mr. Tutalise said the SADC Secretariat takes pride in the fact that the Kingdom of Lesotho has undertaken concerted efforts to ensure that SADC becomes visible at the national level, noting that it comes at a very relevant time when the Kingdom has so much to showcase in terms of how they have continued to benefit from the initiatives, protocols, and agreements at the regional level.
As a founding member state, the Kingdom of Lesotho has always attached enormous importance to SADC and its evolution.
By Staff Reporter: ‘Maphoka Likotsi
