Minister’s Remarks during the Official Opening of the South African High Commission Diplomatic Complex/Chancery

Thank you Master of Ceremony;
The President of South Africa, Mr Jacob Zuma;
The Right Honourable, The Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Lesotho, Pakalitha Mosisili and Mme Ma-Thato Mosisili;
The Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of South Africa, Honourable Max Sisulu;
The President of the Senate of the Kingdom of Lesotho;
Their Excellencies, the Cabinet Ministers from the Government of Lesotho;
Their Excellencies, the Cabinet Ministers from the Republic of South Africa;
Members of the Diplomatic Corps;
Traditional Leaders present;
Their Lordships The Executive Mayor and Mayors;
Senior Government Officials and esteemed delegates;
Ladies and Gentlemen;

High Commissioner, thank you for welcoming us so warm heartedly, and Minister Doidge, thank you for the wonderful work your Department has done on this side.

Indeed I believe that the pride that our people feel in welcoming you to this beautiful Chancery and diplomatic village is testament to the excellent work that has been done here.

His Majesty, King Letsie, the government of Lesotho and its people helped us, not only by giving us the land, but also by extending every courtesy to us in order for the work to be concluded speedily and efficiently.

It is not every day that we are in position to invite our President to officially open one of our offices, and as splendid as this one. However, today we are privileged to be accorded that honour, and we are grateful that time could be set aside during this State Visit, for that to happen.

It is therefore a singular pleasure for me to invite President Zuma to officially open the South African High Commission Complex.