All Quotes

"So, the 11th Parliament will make laws. Some of these laws are obsolete. There are many laws that have to passed or amended; laws to do with empowerment of women, to deal with gender-based violence. I’m determined to ensure that priority laws can actually pass in the 11th Parliament, without further ado,"

"There’s also the issue of parliament’s proximity to the people. Parliament is too far from the people. This is the people’s parliament, and it must go to the people. Parliament must go to Mokhotlong, it must go to Qacha’s Nek. The Speaker and the Deputy Speaker go there. MPs should go to the people to say what they are doing. How that will be organised, I don’t know but it will be organised under my leadership. We can’t have people who sit in Maseru and make laws for people who are at Sehlabathebe. Parliament must go the people."

"MPs should be learning a lot. We have a library at parliament building; we have access to SADC, the AU, the Commonwealth and other important bodies. Our people must benefit from such. When leaving parliament, MPs should not be the same as they were when they first came to parliament."

"I would like to say yesterday I was in another space and that was the political space. Today, I am in a different space, that of Speaker of the National Assembly. I’d be extremely worried if people were to perceive me as a member of a party or a section of society. I want my people to trust me to do a neutral job, without fear or favour to any side. I want MPs to trust me to provide guidance in terms of parliamentary processes to help the country and not any political party. I will strive to be a neutral Speaker and to facilitate the affairs of parliament in manner that benefits the people of this country."

"We are grateful that you honoured this meeting …..Today we are talking about media and parliament. Media is a strategic partner in governance. The main purpose of governance is to ensure that people’s lives are improved."

"To achieve that in a representative democracy, the role of MPs is to represent the people, legislate, allocate public funds and play an oversight role on the executive."

"Media doesn’t only inform but also exposes issues that the public would otherwise not know. You educate, inform, in a friendly manner that accommodates the educated, the illiterate, and the semi-literate."

"You process information, breaking it down in such manner that consumers understand issues. In the pursuit of improving lives, you expose issues that they would not otherwise know."

"When the watchdog just watches as the economy deteriorates, the crime rate escalates and people are plunged further into poverty, it then means we are all drunk. When a country is in that state, nothing can ever come right."

"We see it when you arrive at different events to provide coverage, how badly you are treated and made uncomfortable. Where people shun you. They don’t accommodate you when you attend events to cover issues affecting the people. You are usually forced to sit at the back, making it difficult for you to see as things unfold."

"We’re therefore here to pledge a partnership with the media to ensure that such things don’t happen."

"I must be honest and tell you that as much as we have made some progress in addressing gender issues, I will be much happier if next time we celebrate the African Women’s Month we would all be speaking the same gender language."

"Women continue to be compelled to wear a mourning cloth in the event their husbands or children die, with very strict rules preventing them from actively participating in economic and social activities."

"Yet men are not subjected to these outrageous norms and traditions because they know how oppressive such practices are."

"For instance, it is heartbreaking that in the 21st century, children born out of wedlock are still discriminated by their families. This practice is deeply hurtful to women."

"I dream of a country where women will be taking a leading role in the business, social and economic sectors and even having a female prime minister. That is very possible."

"A female premier can only become a reality if women start supporting each other and taking charge of their lives and their families. Women also need to stop pulling each other down to ensure progress."

"Our ministry has initiated programmes to empower women in terms of business training to ensure they are skilled before venturing into entrepreneurial activities."

"However, we have not yet reached a stage where we can financially support business entities owned and run by women."

"Farming is the backbone of this country, and it is encouraging to see young people embracing it with such passion."

"Hunger is a thing of the past in rural areas."

"Many farmers who produced nothing last year will, this year, harvest enough food for their families and for commercial purposes. This happened because we provided them with climate-smart seeds and manure early."

"This will help when we want to empower farmers. We will be able to determine how many people we are supporting and how much food they can produce. It is not right that we do not have data on farmers in the country."

"The event exhibits the nation’s agricultural expertise and dedication to safeguarding food security while also underscoring the obstacles that the industry faces."

"This fair intends to push diverse market systems, in the long run, contributing to a more sustainable and resilient agriculture sector."

"The event benefits as a critical stage for fuelling growth, innovation and diversity in the agricultural sector. By promoting modern farming practices and supporting essential stakeholders, the government aims to upgrade the sector’s efficiency and durability."

"By celebrating the industry’s potential and encouraging stakeholder engagement, the function seeks to enable the way for a flourishing and food-secure future."

"Whenever a new party is formed, the first thing you should do is ask yourselves tough questions, such as the motive behind the move."

"Travel, for me, is about expanding my horizons and connecting with different cultures on a deeper level. Every destination offers a unique lens through which I learn more about the world"

"...you can’t visit Dubai without starting at the Burj Khalifa—the views from the top are simply breathtaking. But beyond the skyscrapers, I’d recommend exploring the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood to really get a sense of Dubai’s cultural roots."

"What really stands out is how Dubai celebrates its diversity, blending tradition and modernity in a way that mirrors our own cultural tapestry. There’s a lot we can learn from how the city embraces and showcases its rich heritage alongside its modern influences."

"By exploring different cultures, we not only enrich our own lives but also foster a deeper understanding of the global community."

"It’s about stepping beyond your comfort zone and discovering how much more there is out there."

"From an early stage of your athletics development, you acknowledged the importance of discipline. Continue to listen to your coaches, remain focused, and this will help you enjoy many great successes"

"you do not always train perfectly. Sometimes you will undertrain and you may not always have access to the best physiotherapy. These may prove crucial in achieving your career goals"

"Oh, and on the subject of physio. Try to look after your body. You may feel bulletproof – especially during some of your greatest triumphs – but ignoring physiotherapy will create problems in the aftermath, especially during your marathon career. Injuries can – and will – cause huge frustration"

"During times when you struggle with injury, you may feel despondent and demotivated. You may not always be fully committed to carrying out the correct rehab exercises. But this will only make the marathon an even more difficult event to master"

"Maintaining fitness levels and full health as an athlete in your mid-30s will be hard. But don’t give up. Stick with it and aim to sign off your career on a high."

"Listen to your body and make the necessary sacrifices. If you do that, you can fulfil your marathon potential and finish your career with a flourish"

"As a kid I remember being fearless. Back then I didn’t worry about expectations. I was unafraid. I was wild and free but also very driven and I played many different sports: cricket, basketball and soccer"

"I lived in a very disciplined, strict household, where we may not have had everything we wanted but we had everything we needed"

"We weren’t a rich family but growing up in that environment taught me life lessons about how to work hard and be grateful for what I have"

"Since I was young, I was never afraid of a challenge. I always wanted to test myself. I’d run against the older guys. At church I wanted to sing the most challenging songs. I was always keen to be around elders at bible studies because I wanted to learn more"

"In the streets I used to lay down buckets and cans to jump over in races. Sometimes I used to put one bucket on top of another just for the challenge. I was a crazy, wild kid and that fearlessness has grown with me as my track career has developed"

"I had injuries and I was becoming consumed by track and field"

"To fix this, I had to do some serious soul searching and ask what works for me. It was less a case of giving advice to my younger self; it was more about what I could learn as an adult from my younger self. How could I reconnect with that feeling of fearlessness? I realised to rediscover a happy Omar, I needed to be in a happy environment. This would help me become a healthy Omar which translates to a fast Omar"

"I am stunned at the turn of events because I have always conducted myself with the highest level of integrity in the sport, which I love dearly and would never seek to gain an unfair advantage I intend to defend my integrity during this process because I am certain I did not knowingly breach the rules. Out of respect for the process I will not comment further until the process is concluded"

"Early last month, I was tested out of season. I expected to be negative on that test like I have been on every test I have ever taken throughout my career. I was surprised to receive a letter on Tuesday (November 2, 2023) by the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission of an adverse analytical finding. I have decided to take the option to have my B-sample tested, of which I await the results"

"To get under 13 seconds, I just have to keep doing what I have been doing in training. I just want to put what I am doing in training on the track. Once I do what I am doing in training, then sub-13 seconds would be pretty easy"

"I think I can get below 12.90 seconds. I just have to put the race together, and I intend to do that before the end of the season"