PM OFFICIATES OPENING OF MALIBA LODGE

The Prime Minister Mr. Pakalitha Mosisili has applauded development at Ts’ehlanyane National Park saying lodges and reintroduction of wild life at the area have added great value to the place already graced with natural beauty.

The Prime Minister remarked during the official opening the Maliba Mountain Lodge owned by private investor, the Riverside Lodge established by government and reintroduction of wild life.

He said Lesotho has a potential to become a tourism destination if the industry is fully utilized, adding that such a move could bail the country out of poverty and unemployment.

He described environment and culture as engines driving tourism, noting that Basotho have a rich culture which they must enhance and preserve along with environment while the government is committed in ensuring that there is an enabling environment for development.

He however commented that tourism is one of the most delegate businesses, which thrives only if there is peace and stability, appealing to the communities in the area to handle their visitors with respect.

Mr. Mosisili further commended LHDA in partnership with South Africa for making the nature reserve a reality adding the government and the public have a challenge to improve and sustain it so to respond to the adversity of poverty and unemployment.

In conclusion, the Prime Minister assured the Ts’ehlanyane community of the plans that the 32 KM gravel road will be rehabilitated which will start to be tarred before the end of the year.

Also present was the Deputy Minister of Environment Affairs and Tourism of South Africa, Ms. Rejoice Mabudafhasi who talked of the significance of the bilateral agreement existing between the countries through which major developments of the two nations are taking place.

She called the development at Ts’ehlanyane the realization of 11 years of investment, outlining number of agreements such as tourism and cross border conservation.

Ms. Mabudafhasi noted that to enhance development of wild life in the country, Ts’ehlanyane will be used as a breeding ground which would later be given to other nature reserves in the country.

She pledged her country’s commitment to assist all SADC countries including Lesotho that participate in the initiative of Boundless Southern African Marketing strategy to promote Trans-Frontier Conservation Areas in the region.

Ms. Mabudafhasi further commended the existing relationship between the two countries highlighting Lesotho’s biggest role of providing South Africa with water.

Also speaking, Mr. Stephen Phakisi of the Maliba Mountain Lodge thanked the ministry of Tourism for cooperation and partnership through which his dream was realized.

He said tourism has a potential in Lesotho and with proper legislation, which include those governing financial institution, the industry could really attract foreign investors eager to come to Lesotho as his partners come from Australia.

He thanked the Ts’ehlanyane community for cooperation and willingness to participate in development.
Present at the occasion included cabinet ministers, Members of Parliament, senior government officials from Lesotho and South Africa and the public.