International Relations Minister, Lindiwe Sisulu paid a courtesy visit to His Majesty King Letsie III of Lesotho on Friday. Minister Sisulu also offered a cow as an apology and a gesture of good will to the King.
She visited the country to discuss among other things, the challenges at the Maseru Bridge, a border between South Africa and Lesotho.
This follows reported ill-treatment of the King by Home Affairs officials at the border between the two countries.
During her meeting with King Letsie III, Sisulu highlighted the sense of urgency the South African government is applying to increase capacity at the border post. She says travel movements of the King, and eminent persons travelling between South Africa and Lesotho will not be in any way a challenge again.
The Minister has reassured Basotho King and the people of Lesotho that services between the two borders, especially on the South African side will improve.
She met with her counterpart, Lesego Makgothi, during the recent SADC Council of Ministers held in Pretoria. They agreed that she will visit the country and personally convey an apology to King Letsie III.
Sisulu also paid a Courtesy Call to the Lesotho Prime Minister, Tom Thabane who conveyed his condolences on behalf of his government following the death of Mama Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.
Sisulu says South Africa values the good relations between the two countries.
