Staff reporter
Leribe – The 18th edition of Moshoeshoe Walk (116 km) held from Thursday till Saturday drew huge crowds from foreign countries, this is as Lesotho also celebrates its bicentennial (200 years) having been founded in 1824 by King Moshoeshoe I.
The travelers parked their cars at Pioneer Mall and were bused to Menkhoaneng on Wednesday and spent a night in the campsite getting ready for the day one, a 32 km in the mountainous Leribe area.
Her Majesty, Queen Masenate kicked off the walk with her entourage and led from the from and clocked 117 km, she walked from Menkhoaneng to Thaba Bosiu and according to those close to Her Majesty, her cardio even at Lehakoe Gym is unmatched and many can attest to that.
Her majesty was joined by the right honorable Prime Minister, Ntsokoane Matekane who along the walk path-way, shook vendors who could not believe their head of state bought fruit from them but more importantly, left the change to the excitement of an old woman selling apples.
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Regular participants from South Africa, Botswana, and Eswatini brought more numbers and noticeably, a lone Zambian man also graced the event and this was his third MoshoeshoeWalk in a row.
Thabo Moretlane, the organizer thanked the Queen for her yearly support.
“Me, your involvement in the walk means so much to Basotho to the extent which I can’t even explain.
I remember how you called me to your office and told me ‘Ntate Maretlane, I have been watching you for years do Moshoeshow Walk, and now, I am ready to be part of it’. Ke a leboha.”
Minister of Tourism, Motlatsi Maqelepo said Moshoeshoe Walk attacked huge crowds in an interview with Lesedi FM’s Machogo Mahloko.
“We have people from SADC, Asia, and Europe. The numbers have increased and we will continue with celebrations throughout the year.
Our hotels in Leribe and TY were full, something that we hardly experienced.
As of Monday, I struggled to get accommodation because as per the norm, this only happens in Maseru and not in the North.”
For the first time, two Chinese television channels covered Moshoeshoe Walk, while SABC TV, Lesedi FM, and NewzRoom Africa also sent their crew.
This Moshoeshoe Walk trip and accommodation were made possible by Mokoailane Productions.
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