On 07 April 2022, the Central University of Technology,  National University of Lesotho, Lerotholi Polytechnic,Lesotho College of Education, and  Motheo TVET College came together to celebrate the legacy of King Moshoeshoe I and his ethical leadership.

Prof. Alfred Ngowi, acting Vice-Chancellor and Principal, said that the king Moshoeshoe I lecture series will be one of the most important calendar days in the institution’s life. “This annual event signifies an important milestone in the history of the Central University of Technology together with the University of Lesotho, Lerotholi Polytechnic, the Lesotho College of Education from the kingdom of Basotho as well as Motheo TVET college. It is a great honor for CUT to host this inaugural lecture in remembrance of King Moshoeshoe as the founder of the Basotho nation.”

Prof. Tefetso Mothibe, former Vice-Chancellor: National University of Lesotho, Keynote speaker and the first speaker in the series of king Moshoeshoe I memorial lectures concentrated on the issues of Se-moshoeshoe, which he said CUT should embrace in its journey to curriculum renewal, Africanisation and decolonisation.

He said that as Africans we need to first look back for us to move forward and acknowledge the wealth of knowledge that was created by our ancestors. “I really appreciate, acknowledge, recognise and promote the positive and constructive African knowledge, heritage, and contribution of the African ancestors created before the period of destruction. The current education system hardly recognizes that this rich knowledge, science, and technology heritage ever existed. They are hardly included in the curriculum, and it is about time we appreciate this positive heritage/data and include it systematically in the curriculum of all African schools as well as colleges and universities.”

He indicated that the demand to change the education policy in Africa often receives a lukewarm reception. He argued that this close approach must change in order to include the African knowledge and heritage to design new models that prevent dependence and encourage creativity and innovation by students.

“The negative narrative emanating from a destructive period should be changed. It is thus very essential that knowledge production is built on the foundation and values that Africans have left behind.”

He said that the African past contains rich resources of knowledge that is highly relevant for today and tomorrow and that is why this positive heritage, history, and data must be resurrected.  “This is the knowledge that all Africans must be exposed to and grow up with. This can be achieved by systematically putting the knowledge and values in the curriculum. Morena Moshoeshoe bequeathed us with the legacy of education. In it, he saw many benefits that through education, his beloved Sesotho language would be preserved.”

In giving her response to the lecture Dr Moleboheng Mohapi, Director: Ditsong National Museum of Natural History, said that the decolonisation of education starts with accepting that the current education system at most institutions is still colonial in nature and that the need to decolonise education is also applicable to museums as producers and disseminators of knowledge. “Many museums are not transformed, and their collections and research activities are indicative of these facts. If we don’t start at universities, centers of learning, and museums, our societies will continue to be untransformed. Leadership should be the cornerstone of such transformation, if leaders don’t do it, who is going to make them do it?”

She further added that decolonisation of education requires that the bearers of knowledge document it in writing so that there are source documents for those who are willing to renew their curriculum. “I, therefore, implore all academics to document indigenous knowledge and publish it. If we fail to produce textbooks and articles detailing our African knowledge, then the status quo will remain. There is so much knowledge that Africa has to share with the rest of the world.”

The event was graced by the presence of Mr Bereng Seeiso, High Commissioner at Lesotho High Commission, Mr. Kutloano Lerotha, Lesotho Consulate Officer, and Chief Moremoholo Motebang Mopeli of the Ba-Koena ba Mopeli, Qwaqwa, Free state.

Caption

1: From left: Morena Ntsane Mopeli, Prof. Alfred Ngowi, acting Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Chief Moremoholo Motebang Mopeli of the Ba-Koena ba Mopeli, Qwaqwa, Free state, Morena Tsholo Mopeli and Dr Sally Dzingwa, Institutional Registrar.

2: Prof. Alfred Ngowi, acting Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof. Tefetso Mothibe, Former Vice-Chancellor: of the National University of Lesotho and Dr Sally Dzingwa, Institutional Registrar.