Women’s consortium honours Chieftainess ‘Mantšebo

‘MANTŠANG KHUTLISI

MASERU – Ha ‘Mantšebo community celebrated International Women’s Day at Moreneng with a significant event organized by a consortium of women’s organizations last Friday. ‘Malintle Matlakeng of Care for Basotho (CBA) stated that women’s day marks a very special day as it is the significance in honoring Chieftainess ‘Mantšebo Seeiso, the first woman to lead a community traditionally dominated by males.

‘Malerotholi Theko, speaking on behalf of Consortium Champion said women have embarked more in activities which back then were meant for men. She said women come a long way, as we now have a deputy prime minister as a woman as well as the deputy speaker in Lesotho’s parliament.  She further said indeed women have conquered much.

She said no matter the circumstances women face, they must stand tall and take care of the responsibilities they have. She concluded that women must stand tall and believe in their dreams.

“May your dreams be big and achievements even bigger” she concluded. In an event which was held at Ha ‘Mantšebo, community women pleaded with men to stop the brutal killing of women and children as well as abusing those. They said this kind if incidents not only make them hate men but also lack trust in them. They added that no man in his right sense of mind can rape a young child in a diaper. “men are sick, men need counselling, men need to respect women’ they said in group discussions.

One the most loved and honored woman, Puseletso Seema said we as women are selfish of each other, she said the reason why women do not succeed much in life is that women like gossiping and that they always look down at one another. She said there is nothing more she hates than marriage.

Seema said she fears marriage so much that she fears even when her daughter speaks of such. She strongly pointed that men are abusers.

“My husband abused me, there is no woman that I will point and say, she is abused by her spouse, I speak a living testimony, I was abused in so many ways than one” she said.

She added that the reason why women are being killed is because of anger issues in men, she concluded by saying men as well as women need to go for counselling. She said laws need to be implemented which safeguard women and children. Seema parted from her spouse in 1970, that is when she began to live her life fully.

It is in this event that the community celebrated and honoured Chieftainess ‘Mantšebo Amelia ‘Matšaba, the first woman to lead a community in a traditionally male-dominated role.

The event featured various activities including speeches and discussions focusing on women’s empowerment as well as leadership. Community members gathered to commemorate the achievements of women and also promote gender equality within the region.

These activities not only celebrated the achievements of women but also fostered a sense of community and collective responsibility towards advancing women’s rights and opportunities in Ha Mantšebo.

‘Mantšebo Amelia ‘Matšaba was the first and only female regent of Lesotho from 1941 to 1960. ‘Mantšebo ruled on behalf of her stepson, King Moshoeshoe II, who was very young to assume the throne at that time. She was born in 1902 and became part of the royal family through marriage to Paramount Chief Seeiso Griffiths. She ruled at a time when Basutoland was under British colonial administration.

International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated globally on March 8 and it honors the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.

In 1960, ‘Mantšebo stepped down when her stepson, King Moshoeshoe II was deemed to lead.

‘Mantšebo’s leadership remains significant part of Lesotho’s history, particularly in advancing women’s role in governance.