Africa-Press – Lesotho. From 2019, Royal Archives and Museum started celebrating His Majesty King Letsie III birthday, however, this heritage initiative has been halted by the advent of Covid-19.
Royal Archives and Museum Manager ‘Maneo Ralebitso explained that Royal Archives and Museum is a centre that keeps historical information regarding Lesotho
chieftainship including the Kings. She noted that they have four departments being the archives – which keeps old records, the museum, the library and the
department that welcomes visitors or tourists who travel to Matsieng to learn about that place and the history it holds. She said in 2019, Royal Archives introduced organizing the celebration of the King’s
birthday under its programmes, as one of the Museum’s tasks is to collect historical information especially for important people like the King in the country.
“We planned to celebrate this day in a more unique way than other departments or organizations, making it educational to the young generation,” she said.
She said due to the outbreak of Covid-19, the museum was not able to make preparations last year and this year but the hope is that by next year if the pandemic will be under control they will prepare something.
In the year 2019, as part of the celebrations, Royal Archives placed books at places like Pioneer mall, Econo Foods near Lesotho High school, KFC NRH mall,
Captain Doregos near Mofumahali oa Tlholo Cathedral and Jet Carlton Centre, which Basotho can use to write messages to wish the King a happy birthday.
Alongside a table that placed those books was a picture of the King and people were also allowed to take pictures/selfies near the King’s picture. This was
done so that those books can be kept at the museum so that the King and the Queen can read those messages in their spare time. This was also done to collect historical information for future generations.
“Basotho were also given an opportunity to send Birthday wishes through SMSes and among the people who wrote messages on the books or send an SMS, there were some who won a M300 voucher as a gift for participating in the initiative,” Ralebitso said.
