Allow me to pay my respects to His Majesty King Letsie III and Her Majesty the Queen 'Masenate 'Mohato Seeiso 

The Right Honourable the Prime Minister, Ntsokoane Sam Matekane,

The Honourable President of the Senate, ‘Mamonaheng Mokitimi, 

The Right Honourable Speaker of the National Assembly, Tlohang Sekhamane,

His Lordship the Chief Justice, Sakoane Sakoaone,

Honourable Deputy Prime Minister, Mme Justice Majara,

Honourable Ministers in His Majesty’s Cabinet, in particular,

The Honourable Minister of Gender Youth and Social Development, Pitso Lesaoana,

The Hon. Minister of Local Government, Chieftainship, Home Affairs and Police, Lebona Lephema

Their Excellence’s Heads of Diplomatic missions and international organisations and members of their teams,

Honourable Vice President of the Senate, Ntate Tsukutlane Au

Honourable Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Mme Tšepang Tšita-Mosena

Honourable members of the National Assembly and of the Senate and Principal Chiefs

The Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Gender Youth and Social Development, Mme Mahlapane Makakole 

Representatives of Government Ministries,and other public institutions,

Representatives of Civil Society Organisations,

Media representatives

Bo-'M'e le Bo-Ntate,

All protocols observed

• Bo-'M'e le Bo-Ntate,

• I am truly honoured to stand before you today in the vibrant community for a landmark occasion. 

• Today, we launch the Digital Birth Registration system in the framework of Ntlafatsa Bana programme—an activity designed not just to meet administrative needs but to transform the very futures of our children by ensuring their rights and identities are recognised from the moment they are born.

• Let me begin by expressing our deepest gratitude to the Honourable Minister of Gender, Youth and Social Development for his steadfast dedication to advancing child rights initiatives.

• Your leadership has been a beacon guiding us to this crucial juncture. Equally, our appreciation extends to the District Administrator and local authorities, whose coordination and commitment have been pivotal in making today happen. 

• Without the collective effort of main actors, government and local leaders, we would not be standing here celebrating this milestone.

• As we celebrate this launch, it is essential to recognize and extend our gratitude to UNICEF for their partnership and critical role in the Ntlafatsa Bana program. UNICEF has been a critical ally in our collective endeavour to enhance the lives of children across Lesotho, lending their expertise, and innovative spirit.

• Birth registration is not merely a bureaucratic procedure—it is the very first step in ensuring that our children’s existence, rights, and potential are acknowledged and protected. It opens the doors to critical services such as healthcare and education, forming the bedrock of an equitable society. 

• Consider young Lerato, who today stands with her parents. With a digitally registered birth, her entry into school becomes seamless; she won’t face the administrative barriers that might otherwise delay her education. 

• Or young Khotso, another child among us, will have prompt access to vaccinations and healthcare services. This prevents delays that could negatively impact his early development.

• Yet, these achievements do not arise in isolation. They reflect a shared commitment from each one of you—a testament to the power of community collaboration. 

• Every parent, guardian, and community leader plays an indispensable role. By ensuring every child in Qhoasing is registered at birth, you contribute to a supportive framework that nurtures growth, opportunity, and security for the children in our community.

• By integrating digital birth registration into the Ntlafatsa Bana program, we are not only fortifying the rights and opportunities for every child born today but are also laying a foundation for future generations. This initiative aim at creating a more inclusive and prosperous society by ensuring every child's right to identity and participation in our community is honoured and upheld.

• Moreover, digital birth registration is a crucial facet of our broader CASH Plus approach under our programme Ntlafatsa Bana, which integrates vital components such as water access, energy, nutrition, and the digitalisation of payments. 

• These interconnected elements work harmoniously to uplift community well-being, going beyond immediate needs to establish foundations for long-term progress and resilience. 

• By combining these components, we build a comprehensive system that not only increases the efficiency of service delivery but empowers households to meet their needs more effectively, thus promoting sustainable development within our community.

• Access to rights and services is a key element in all EU programmes in Lesotho. 

• Technology allows the Government of Lesotho to improve access to services for their citizens and in particular for the most vulnerable among them. Not only technology improves the process of birth registration but also Ntlafatsa Bana allows a more efficient delivery of payments to vulnerable families: already 20.000 CGP beneficiaries receive their grants directly, avoiding the long journey to payment points and the efforts and risks involved.

• The transition to digital payments is transforming the way we conduct transactions by ensuring that funds are delivered safely and promptly. This change enhances transparency and accountability in the disbursement of funds

• By adopting digital payments, we are significantly reducing the costs associated with manual transactions. This allows us to allocate more resources towards improving services and supporting more community members

• As we move forward, let this initiative remind us of the power of cooperation in improving the lives of our children. 

• Change is often born from small steps, and today, as we embrace digital birth registration, we take a significant leap towards securing a brighter future for the children of Qhoasing and all of Lesotho.

• Thank you to everyone for your engagement, dedication, and belief in what we can accomplish when we come together for a common cause. 

• Together, let’s continue to be champions of our children’s rights.

• Khotso! Pula! Nala!