Seabata Mahao
As Lesotho grapples with one of the highest homicide rates in the world, the Development for Peace Education (DPE) organisation marked the annual International Day of Peace with a bold message of hope and unity in the crime-ridden district of Mafeteng.
The International Day of Peace (“Peace Day”) is observed around the world each year on September 21.
Established in 1981 by a unanimous United Nations (UN) resolution, Peace Day provides a globally shared date for all humanity to commit to peace above all differences and to contribute to building a culture of peace.
Celebrating under the theme “Cultivating a Culture of Peace”, DPE chose to gather with the people of Ha-Nthonyana in ‘Mamaebana, Lehlakeng Community Council, to deliver a powerful call for peace in a nation plagued by violence.
DPE Coordinator, Tšepo Mosoeu, addressed the gathering, stating that the community was chosen for the celebration due to its ongoing involvement in peace education programs.
“We must remember who we are as Basotho. This nation was founded on peace, and that peace must continue to grow with us,” Mosoeu declared.
“The culture of Lesotho provides the foundation, and the nation longs to live in peace at all times. We are committed to restoring peace among our people.”
Mosoeu’s remarks come at a time when violent crime continues to devastate Lesotho.
According to the 2022 crime statistics report from the Bureau of Statistics (BOS), Lesotho reported 944 murders and 11,939 serious crimes, including stock theft, housebreaking, and sexual offences.
The district of Mafeteng, where the celebration took place, is one of the hotbeds of violent crime.
In a message marking the International Day of Peace, UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned global violence, drawing parallels with the unrest in Lesotho.
“From Gaza to Sudan, to Ukraine and beyond, civilians are in the firing line. Our world needs peace. Peace is the ultimate prize for all humanity,” Guterres said in his statement, which was read to the crowd.
“As this International Day of Peace reminds us, the solutions are in our hands. Cultivating a culture of peace means replacing division with justice, equality, and hope for all.”
The event drew local leaders, including Member of Parliament (MP) for ‘Maliepetsana, Lehlohonolo Hlapisi, who applauded the efforts of DPE in fostering peace at the grassroots level.
“This organisation is doing remarkable work in our community, but what they’ve brought us today is more powerful, the chance to see our community reclaim its power through peace,” Hlapisi said, emphasising that this initiative should inspire national leaders to take peacebuilding more seriously.
Hlapisi urged the people of ‘Mamaebana to collaborate with DPE and take ownership of the peace education efforts, asserting that peace starts within communities.
“This celebration should trigger a broader conversation in the National Assembly and Senate. Now, more than ever, peace education is a necessity,” he stated.
Representing the community, ‘Malitsabile Setšeisa expressed pride that DPE had chosen their village for the peace celebration.
“The people have decided to participate in the peace initiative that His Majesty the King and his government desire. This celebration will foster peace between us and the towns we are connected with, reducing the violence that has plagued our communities,” Setšeisa said.
As Lesotho marks 200 years of its bicentennial history, the message of peace resonates deeply.
The International Day of Peace, with its emphasis on eliminating violence, is a stark reminder that peace is not a distant ideal but a right that can be cultivated within the hands of communities like ‘Mamaebana.
DPE’s efforts aim to bring that reality closer, even as Lesotho struggles with staggering crime rates and societal division. The day’s celebration underscored that peace must be actively nurtured, particularly in a country that has long been marred by conflict.
