Africa-Press – Lesotho. The Central Bank of Lesotho officially launched the M200 commemorative banknote to His Majesty King Letsie III’s 60th Diamond Jubilee at the event held in Maseru on Thursday.
Speaking at the event, the Deputy Prime Minister, Justice Nthomeng Majara thanked the Governor of CBL for honouring His Majesty by launching the M200 banknote to commemorate his Diamond Jubilee, saying His Majesty is also pleased with this gesture.
Justice Majara said indeed it is a blessing that His Majesty has reached this age as the King as many do not, saying this year the country is celebrating his Diamond Jubilee.
She said having money is not just treasure but having money that belongs to the country is the wealth that the country is proud of, emphasising that having a banknote with His Majesty Picture is a wealth that the country should brag about.
She said with the images of Lesotho’s Kings on the country’s banknotes, it is a sign of peace and unity and this makes them proud, saying Basotho are known to be a peaceful nation. Justice Majara said Basotho should respect and protect this M200 so that they can teach their children its importance in the history of Lesotho.
On the same note, the Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Dr Retšelisitsoe Matlanyane also thanked the Governor for this gift that the CBL has presented to the nation, saying she is proud of CBL and the values that still resonate within it to make this banknote to commemorate His Majesty’s birthday as this year the nation is celebrating his 60th Diamond Jubilee.
In conclusion, she requested the Governor to let this banknote circulate for a longer time because it is the first commemorative banknote as they usually make coins with the understanding that they last longer.
The Governor of the Central Bank of Lesotho, Dr Maluke Letete said the CBL has the sorely right to issue, manage and redeem the currency both coins and banknotes in accordance with section 6 b of the CBL act of 2000, saying in pursuit of this mandate CBL has issued the number of coins and banknotes since its establishment in 1978.
Dr Letete said among others the bank has produced mostly coins to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of King Moshoeshoe II, His Majesty King Letsie III and his other birthdays.
He said the nation must recall that in 1985 CBL issued a one Loti silver coin to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of King Moshoeshoe II, adding that in 1997 CBL issued the M250 gold coin and M10 silver coin for His Majesty King Letsie III.
Moreover, he said in 2013, CBL issued the M500 coin for His Majesty King Letsie III on his birthday, noting that the coins that were issued at the time featured the portrays of the above-mentioned Kings to celebrate their special events in the history of the culture of the people of Lesotho.
However, he said these cumulative coins were not intended for general circulation, they were often presented as gifts to the dignitaries and special guests that came to Lesotho.
He further mentioned that for the first time in the history of nearly 45 years of CBL, they are launching a commemorative banknote for His Majesty, noting that this M200 has been printed to mark His Majesty’s 60th birthday.
In conclusion, he said the M200 will circulate across the country, noting that the key features of the new banknote include His Majesty King Letsie III alone, the Matsieng Mountain which presents the homestead of His Majesty, the Basotho hat with a number 60 on it which signifies the unity of Basotho. Only 5 million M200 banknotes have been printed.
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