By ‘Majirata Latela
Non-Governmental Organisations in Lesotho have not lost hope of getting an opportunity to assist the country with civic education on Covid-19, having already approached the new minister of health Semano Sekatle on the matter.
Speaking to theReporter, Lesotho Council of Non- Governmental Organisation’s Programmes Director, Sekonyela Mapetja, said they are filled with renewed vigour after the minister proclaimed on a local radio station that he is ready to work with NGO’s and churches to educate the public about Covid-19.
Mapetja said, just like they did with his predecessors, NGO’s have requested a meeting with Sekatle to outline plans to help the country fight this pandemic through education.
“We previously talked with former ministers Nkaku Kabi and Motlatsa Maqelepo on how we could help, but there was no further engagement; plans were laid out but there were no commitments to execute them.
“We have said it before and will continue to say it: there is no way that the government and the National Covid-19 Secretariat will win this battle without us given that it has been clear from the beginning that NGOs are very good with civic education,” he said.
Nacosec’s chief executive officer, ‘Malitaba Litaba, concurs that the only way to win the battle (against Covid-19) is to work with all stakeholders, including NGO’s and churches. She said plans are already afoot to include them.
“Education is a vital tool in winning the fight against Covid-19 and everyone has a role to play. If all of us play our roles very well, it will be a matter of time before we win this battle,” Litaba said.
