It was around June last year (2022) when I got a call from the short but brilliant Tlotlisang I referred in the column about Kheekhe and his walk of shame. We need to talk he told me. I made time for a chat, which actually turned out to be something of a presentation. It was a pie in the sky idea of creating epic events for His Majestys diamond jubilee. Turning 60 he told me is no small feat. We agreed that the conversation needed to progress in the presence of my old man who would be better placed to advise on a way forward. I duly organised a meeting with my father and he immediately cottoned on to the plan. He absolutely loved it and said come hell or high water he’d play his part in ensuring His Majesty gets a celebration fit for a king. Tlotlisang and I were both excited and anxious when ntate Joe organised a presentation for us in front of His Majesty. It went well and the diamond era was born…
I first had the pleasure of meeting the king in 1992 I think. His Majesty was travelling and would need to stop in Johannesburg where my father was representing Lesotho in the foreign service. I remember the pomp and ceremony of my father’s office staff as they prepared for the arrival of the then young king. Everybody was anxious and excited. My mother was personally overlooking the preparations, that was always an indication that something serious was happening. Ordinarily the office staff and service providers would be left to their own devices. If my mother stepped in, it was serious business. I have this memory of my father coming home from work early to personally chill the wines. This was a job normally left to my brother or even myself, but the big guy was doing it himself. Wow, I thought this must be a big deal. When the king did arrive with his protocol and security I thought he looked even bigger in person. I’d only seen him in the picture that hanged in the welcome foyer of our residence. A towering man with a big build. He’s bigger than my dad I recoiled . He greeted me with a “Yes, mshana”. Even today, 30 years later he greets me like that.
Brand New Vixion is the agency charged with executing His and Her Majestys vision for what ought to be an epic celebration and a recalibration for the nation. A chance for us to redouble our efforts to take the kingdom and put it in its rightful place. The season of abundance ushered in by our figureheads diamond celebration. We are working hard, literally day and night to ensure the diamond era kicks off with a bang. We are also trying by all means to see to it that the public and the corporates buy in to the diamond era too. If you’re in and around Maseru you might have come across the diamond era billboards wishing his majesty a happy birthday. It is our wish that, that insignia would be adopted by the nation at large and used whenever a matter relating to His Majestys celebration arises.
When this column is published it will be D-day and the events will have begun. The Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra will kick them off with a musical touch. They will have a performance at Manthabiseng convention center at 12h30 on Friday. I will be a ball of nervous anxiety all weekend until they are done but God willing we will get through the weekend unscathed. I’m pretty sure once we’re done with them and they’ve gone off without a hitch I’ll look up to the heavens to thank “Bra Joe” for setting us on this course. I will then turn my phone off and sleep for three days solid!
We are immensely proud as young Basotho to have been trusted with a project of this magnitude and we continue to count our lucky stars as we execute our mandate. We have to thank His and Her Majesty especially for buying in to the vision and for their active participation in this project. We must thank the Palace staff from the acting SPS down to the groundsmen who have all been an absolute pleasure to work with and also allowing us to encroach on their territory. SPS Mphale often jokes that we basically work there, and it’s pretty much true.
This project means so much to us (if you haven’t realised already) we really see it as more than just a celebration. We truly believe it will ignite that sense of purpose and unlock the potential the country and it’s citizens have harboured for a long time. What could be a better gift for His Majesty than a thriving Lesotho?
In closing I’d like to take the opportunity to wish the head of state a very happy 60th birthday! May the occasion bring joy, merriment and prosperity to your kingdom.
It was around June last year (2022) when I got a call from the short but brilliant Tlotlisang I referred in the column about Kheekhe and his walk of shame. We need to talk he told me. I made time for a chat, which actually turned out to be something of a presentation. It was a pie in the sky idea of creating epic events for His Majestys diamond jubilee. Turning 60 he told me is no small feat. We agreed that the conversation needed to progress in the presence of my old man who would be better placed to advise on a way forward. I duly organised a meeting with my father and he immediately cottoned on to the plan. He absolutely loved it and said come hell or high water he’d play his part in ensuring His Majesty gets a celebration fit for a king. Tlotlisang and I were both excited and anxious when ntate Joe organised a presentation for us in front of His Majesty. It went well and the diamond era was born…
I first had the pleasure of meeting the king in 1992 I think. His Majesty was travelling and would need to stop in Johannesburg where my father was representing Lesotho in the foreign service. I remember the pomp and ceremony of my father’s office staff as they prepared for the arrival of the then young king. Everybody was anxious and excited. My mother was personally overlooking the preparations, that was always an indication that something serious was happening. Ordinarily the office staff and service providers would be left to their own devices. If my mother stepped in, it was serious business. I have this memory of my father coming home from work early to personally chill the wines. This was a job normally left to my brother or even myself, but the big guy was doing it himself. Wow, I thought this must be a big deal. When the king did arrive with his protocol and security I thought he looked even bigger in person. I’d only seen him in the picture that hanged in the welcome foyer of our residence. A towering man with a big build. He’s bigger than my dad I recoiled . He greeted me with a “Yes, mshana”. Even today, 30 years later he greets me like that.
Brand New Vixion is the agency charged with executing His and Her Majestys vision for what ought to be an epic celebration and a recalibration for the nation. A chance for us to redouble our efforts to take the kingdom and put it in its rightful place. The season of abundance ushered in by our figureheads diamond celebration. We are working hard, literally day and night to ensure the diamond era kicks off with a bang. We are also trying by all means to see to it that the public and the corporates buy in to the diamond era too. If you’re in and around Maseru you might have come across the diamond era billboards wishing his majesty a happy birthday. It is our wish that, that insignia would be adopted by the nation at large and used whenever a matter relating to His Majestys celebration arises.
When this column is published it will be D-day and the events will have begun. The Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra will kick them off with a musical touch. They will have a performance at Manthabiseng convention center at 12h30 on Friday. I will be a ball of nervous anxiety all weekend until they are done but God willing we will get through the weekend unscathed. I’m pretty sure once we’re done with them and they’ve gone off without a hitch I’ll look up to the heavens to thank “Bra Joe” for setting us on this course. I will then turn my phone off and sleep for three days solid!
We are immensely proud as young Basotho to have been trusted with a project of this magnitude and we continue to count our lucky stars as we execute our mandate. We have to thank His and Her Majesty especially for buying in to the vision and for their active participation in this project. We must thank the Palace staff from the acting SPS down to the groundsmen who have all been an absolute pleasure to work with and also allowing us to encroach on their territory. SPS Mphale often jokes that we basically work there, and it’s pretty much true.
This project means so much to us (if you haven’t realised already) we really see it as more than just a celebration. We truly believe it will ignite that sense of purpose and unlock the potential the country and it’s citizens have harboured for a long time. What could be a better gift for His Majesty than a thriving Lesotho?
In closing I’d like to take the opportunity to wish the head of state a very happy 60th birthday! May the occasion bring joy, merriment and prosperity to your kingdom.
