! e l Sa
ADVERTS 1
03 Nov. - 09 Nov. 2015
r o F Not
03 Nov. - 09 Nov. 2015
Nobody Says It? We Do....
Econet launches new fleet management tool
Lesotho journalists trained in investigative journalism
Story on pg 06
Story on pg 04
www.informativenews.co.ls
Lesotho gears up to improve Agriculture Story on pg 10
LRA boss resigns Story on pg 02
Story on pg 2
Thabo Letjama
Lt. Gen. Kennedy Tlali Kamoli
NEWS
2
LRA boss resigns
03 Nov. - 09 Nov. 2015
By Staff reporter
MASERU- Thabo Letjama has tendered his resignation from his post as Commissioner General of Lesotho Revenue Authority (LRA) on Friday. Public relations manager of LRA Pheello Mphana confirmed Letjama’s resignation to this paper yesterday. Mphana said Letjama would still be with LRA until the end of this month. “I do not know why he has resigned because the decision to resign is a personal matter of the person who resigns,” he said. When contacted shortly before going to print yesterday, Letjama referred this paper to LRA information office and declined to comment further. Letjama is the first Mosotho to become Commissioner General of LRA.
Thabo Letjama
Parly Speaker warns MPs By ‘Mantšali Phakoana MASERU-The Speaker of the Ninth Parliament of Lesotho, Ntlhoi Motsamai has appealed to the Members of the Parliament (MPs)
to keep on availing themselves for Parliamentary sessions, for the benefit of Basotho as well as to fulfill the mandate of Parliament, Informative can reveal. Motsamai said this on Friday in her welcoming remarks when the Parliament was reconvened for the second meeting of the first session of the ninth Parliament after winter break. She said Parliamentarians have another opportunity to get it right and steer the country towards a sustainable course. “It is hoped that lessons learnt from the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) will create a fresh impetus for all of us to do more in broadening the scope to end poverty and hunger,” said the Speaker. “Honourable Members, a cursory look through these wide ranging issues reveals a picture of convergence and coherence of all, with the golden thread of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) running through and binding them together,” she added. The Speaker went on to indicate that they would always have to remind themselves of their sacred obligations to this nation, and more importantly that unto whom much is given, much more would be asked. She further told MPs that they would have to work diligently and with speed. “Above all we have to remain steadfast and committed to our duties and responsibilities, so that when it is our time to handover the baton to the next runner, we do so knowing that we have not only de-
livered on the expectations of the people but that, we have also delivered on the mandate of the institution of Parliament which we are serving,” said the Speaker. She continued: “We have to rise to the occasion and be in tune with the words of the Secretary General of the United Nations, His Excellency Ban Kin-Moon when he said “How effective Members of Parliament are, is determined not by the grandeur of the Parliament buildings or by the extensive rules of procedure that determine the conduct of business but rather by their commitment and their ability to lead and inspire change.” Motsamai also pointed out that this year had been a momentous year of achievements. “The Honourable House may wish to note that 2015 is quite a momentous year, it is the year of commemorating many important milestones,” she explained. Meanwhile, the Speaker maintained that it would thus be prudent to not only reflect on these milestones but to keep them on their radar screen and continue acting on them even as 2015 is drawing to a close. At the same, the Speaker said some of the milestones include the 25th anniversary of the African Union Summit; which adopted a declaration on 2015 being a year of Women’s Empowerment and Development towards Africa’s Agenda 2063. Motsamai further said 2015 is also the 15th anniversary of the United Nations Security Council
Resolution 1325, which is, among others, about gender equality and prevention of violence against women. She said 2015 is the year in which 70th anniversary of the United Nations was commemorated among others with High Level Meetings of the General Assembly, which adopted the 2030 Agenda for SDGs. “The SDGs are a transformative sustainable development agenda for the next 15 years. They provide a plan of action for ending poverty and hunger, and a roadmap for building a life of dignity for all, a vision promising to leave no one behind based on its 17 goals and 169 targets,” she said. The Speaker noted: “With regard to nutrition, it is a source of pride to this nation that just yesterday we celebrated the appointment of His Majesty the King as the First African Union Nutrition Champion.” “The House may also wish to note that the Parliament of Lesotho and the Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on two of the above health related areas,” said the Speaker. During the reconvening of the Parly, MPs from the opposition parties, All Basotho Convention (ABC), led by Dr. Thomas Motsoahae Thabane, Basotho National Party (BNP) led by Chief Thesele ’Maseribane as well as Reformed Congress of Lesotho (RCL) led by Keketso Rantšo were not present. The three opposition leaders fled to South Africa on May 11, 13 and 26, respectively, citing they feared for their lives. Following their flight, other opposition MPs have boycotted Parliament since the 26th June this year following the death of the former Commander of the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) Lieutenant General Maaparankoe Mahao who was shot by LDF members on June 25. They also boycotted the Parly following the untimely death of one local businessman, Thabiso Tšosane who was shot by unidentified assailants. Opposition MPs claimed they will not be part of the Parliamentary sessions until the government resolves the issue of security instability in the country. They also appealed to the government to make an effort to produce a conducive environment for their leaders to return back home. The ninth parliament went for the winter holidays on June 1st 2015.
03 Nov. - 09 Nov. 2015
ADVERTS 3
NEWS
4
03 Nov. - 09 Nov. 2015
Lesotho journalists trained in investigative reporting By ’Mantšali Phakoana MASERU - Freedom of expression and the press are the key elements of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in the United States of America, according to the US Ambassador to Lesotho, Matthew T. Harrington at the opening of an Investigative Journalism and Media Professionalization workshop yesterday. The training which started yesterday and scheduled to end on Friday is organized by the US Embassy in Maseru in collaboration with the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Lesotho. “The purpose of the workshop is to familiarize journalists with methods and models for investigative reporting and to encourage journalists to hold themselves up to the highest professional standards,” said Harrington. He said the US Embassy is proud to support the workshop on investigative journalism because they believe that media freedom is vital to a thriving democracy. He further indicated that the press helps citizens to call attention to the issues they care about and also helps governments to understand how their actions are being perceived. “As my boss, Secretary of State
John Kerry has said: “People everywhere count on a free press to keep us informed, to hold leaders accountable, to filter fact from fiction and to unmask false narratives masquerading as truth,” said the US Ambassador. He continued: “It is exciting to see such strong interest in deepening and broadening your skills as journalists. I also want to thank the Honorable Minister, Khotso Letsatsi for joining us and that he has spoken about the challenges facing the media in Lesotho.” The US Ambassador also stated that a free and vibrant press is essential in a democratic society and therefore mentioned that journalists have a fundamental obligation to get the story right and to hold themselves to the highest professional standards. He reminded the journalists to report stories that are accurate, unbiased and fully supported by facts. “Journalists have a fundamental obligation to get the story right and to hold themselves to highest professional standards,” said the Ambassador. Meanwhile, the Minister of Communication Science and Technology, Khotso Letsatsi encouraged the journalists to stick to journalistic ethics when they report. He further said it was his belief
US Ambassador Matthew Harrington
that the investigative journalism training would change the current situation with regard to how most Lesotho journalists report. “This training will change social, economic as well the political life of this country. We all know that the media becomes the backbone of democracy, silent watchdogs that remain for the society,” said the Minister. He concluded by stating that Lesotho needs professional journalists who could contribute to the countries’ development. During the discussions, journalists mentioned some of the fol-
lowing as the obstacles in doing investigative journalism: Lack of resources such as transport, fear to ask questions, threats from sources, not knowing the kind of questions to ask, as well as working under pressure or having unlimited time. Trainer in the ongoing workshop is the US Journalist Lucinda Fleeson, who has extensive international training experience in investigative reporting, narrative storytelling and reporting on social issues. There are 25 local journalists undergoing the training.
Taxi operators to petition Ministers By ‘Mantšali Phakoana MASERU-Taxi owners operating from Maseru, Central, South and North Regions have announced that public transport will not be operating normally today between 10:00hrs until 13:00 hrs after they have handed over their petitions to the Minister of Police Monyane Moleleki, Minister of Finance Dr. ’Mamphono Khaketla as well as the Minister of Public Works and Transport, Tšoeu Mokeretla. The petitioners are concerned about how the three Ministries work with them. As a result, they announced that they would be having a peaceful march from the Sethaleng sa Mopapa to Sefikeng sa Morena Moshoeshoe, then deliver letters to the Ministers where each will get their letter addressing issues concerning his or her Ministry. Police Spokesperson Senior Inspector Clifford Molefe has confirmed that the Lesotho Mounted Police Services (LMPS) has allowed such a march and that it is authorized to start at 10:00am and to end
at 13:00pm. “From Sefikeng sa Moshoeshoe, there will be a delegation sent to Qhobosheaneng to deliver the letters to the relevant Ministers,” said senior inspector Molefe. Deputy Chairperson of the three Regions, Mathe Khalane confirmed to Informative yesterday that they had been given the permit to host the peaceful march. He also announced that they were not expecting to see any people wearing their political attire at the march. “This should be clearly emphasized that it is not a political march. It is for us taxi operators, therefore we do not want to see people who want to highjack or interfere with our march.” Chairperson of the three Regions, Jonase Mokete has told the media that amongst other issues, they are concerned at the ill-treatment of their taxi drivers by the Special Operation Unit (SOU), the Bidvest vehicles hired by the government, the delay in putting into operation the document on taxi operations as per the government’s and taxi operator’s agreement.
“Therefore looking at these issues we are aware that each Minister is responsible for our concerns,” he said. However, Mokete indicated that they would deliver people to their duties before 10:00am and until they are through with delivering their letters. “During these hours between while we are still on our march, there will no be taxis moving in and out of Maseru, and perhaps in the districts,” he said. Speaking with a member of Maseru Road Transport Operators (MRTO), Makama Monese, he said they had a meeting as the organization and other associations under their umbrella and therefore the decision to petition the three of Ministers is from all taxi operators from the ten districts. He continued: “This is a joint march from all the taxi operators,” he said. Monese told the Informative that they were concerned that the government had hired vehicles from outside the country while they could have hired Basotho’s vehicles.
Asked whether they do not consider the statement made by Finance Minister Dr. Khaketla as to why the government had hired Bidvest vehicles, they said they would not presume that it was directly addressed to them, since they are expecting to have a direct conversation with the relevant Minister not through the media. Monese explained: “However, we want the government to have time for us and guarantee that even after the six months when the Bidvest contract expires, they will give us a chance as Basotho people.” The taxi operators have been arguing that they would be in a position to provide the government with the required vehicles to enable government’s day to day activities since they had been able to provide vehicles to the Maseru City Council (MCC) during the SAIMSA games and therefore they could not fail to provide the required vehicles to the government. We invite every Mosotho who would like to join us to do so,” he said.
03 Nov. - 09 Nov. 2015
ADVERTS 5
NEWS
6
03 Nov. - 09 Nov. 2015
Ex. Miners Association to commemorate 10 year anniversary By Palesa Mosola THABA TSEKA- The Ex. Miners Association will on Thursday to Friday this week commemorate their ten year anniversary in Thaba Tseka district where the association was founded with the theme ‘Commemorating a decade of existence of Ex -Miners Association of Lesotho and the impact it has made in the lives of vulnerable Ex- Miner communities and their livelihood, TB, HIV and Aids interventions.’ Lerato Nkhetse who is a founding partner of the association said the objective of the event is to raise awareness of the role of the Ex Miners Association in communities and remind them of the existence of the association and also to raise awareness of the dangers of existing occupational and chronic diseases such as silicosis, TB, HIV and AIDS. “The event will start on the 5TH with a march from Ha Ramalapi to two institutions, namely the Thaba Tseka Correctional Facility where there would be a counseling session , psychosocial support and the giving of toiletries and clothes to the inmates, while at Paray the patients would be given some toiletries,” said Nkhetse. In addition, Nkhetse said ever
Lerato Nkhetse Ex. Minners Association Lesotho
since the inception of the association, it had supported 177 primary beneficiaries of mine workers and their families with livelihood projects by giving them 18 phone shops for 90 beneficiaries in five districts namely Butha- Buthe, Leribe, Maseru, Mafeteng and Thaba Tseka.
The association further gave-out 10 poultry and 15 piggery projects which has translated to supporting 177 households and 1,416 as secondary beneficiaries. This occasion will attract people from different organizations in different communities who might not
have had any opportunity of knowing or even accessing the benefits of the products and services which the association offers. He further said the platform will also give the organization a chance to address the different communities and their needs regarding the products and service offered. “As the association we will bring all kinds of service offered by the different stakeholders, to the needy communities that we serve.” The Ex. Miners Association of the mountain Kingdom Lesotho was established in 2004 but registered in 2005. The purpose of the association is to assist its members to be self-sufficient and help them to claim their dues from the mining companies. Most ex-miners are from rural areas where many TB patients are found. Ex miners are equally affected by the issues of poor accessibility to health facilities due to the distance travelled to get to health centers. The mission of the association is to work with the miners and their families in attainment of their compensation; live healthy and better lives through sustainable development by enabling them to realize the power of the collective.
Econet launches new fleet management tool By Pulane Lichaba
Maseru- Econet ConnectedCar Fleet Management Service (FMS) has designed a real-time tracking and monitoring device called ‘Econet ConnectedCar’ which monitors and relays vehicle data to owners on the geographic location and status of their vehicles. Tiisetso Ramothamo from Econet Connected Lifestyles department says the device helps fleet owners to effectively manage, control and monitor their fleets and human resources remotely through a responsive web portal optimized for mobile devices and tablets. “Fleet owners are able to get notifications and reports on driving behavior events such as harsh braking and harsh acceleration. They are also able to set up their own geographical driving zones for their drivers and receive enter and exit alerts when a vehicle is driven in or out of the set zones. He continued that “the device also has fuel management which has a user defined approximation module that gives trip fuel consumption estimates based on pre-determined vehicle consumption rates. Fuel management has an option for fuel sensors that give accurate fuel
Ts'abalira Lejaha and Tiisetso Ramothamo from Econet Connected Lifestyles
information and reports.” Ramothamo also highlighted that the device has a panic button with which the driver can alert the owner of the car of any event or threat by simply pressing the button. “At stop intervals the owner also has an opportunity to know exactly when and where the vehicles’ ignition has been switched off and on and for how long.”
He said in case of multiple driver identification, this device keeps tabs on which driver was driving which vehicle and when and that each driver has their own tag and will be tracked independently. Tšabalira Lejaha also from the Econet Lifestyle Department stated that in using the Econet ConnectedCar system, drivers will be performing efficiently, leaving the owner
in no doubt as to how much more work he/she can comfortably take on and deliver well. “It shows you exactly where you can make changes to the efficiency of your workforce and where there is room for improvement,” he said. The Econet ConnectedCar tracker monitors and tracks cars throughout Africa.
03 Nov. - 09 Nov. 2015
ADVERTS 7
NEWS
8
03 Nov. - 09 Nov. 2015
Never play the victim We are the sum total of all the decisions we make, and as a result we are a reflection of our thinking patterns. It goes without saying that little thoughts think little things such as survival, but great thoughts think great things like legacy and impact. I have seen many people play the victim card with devastating effect. They have mastered the art of the pity party with unassuming excellence. They use the crutch of excuses with relentless ease. They have certainly grown in the mastery of self sabotage. Everybody has a reason not to succeed but some people choose to overlook the excuses and roll up their sleeves to work. One of the greatest excuses people render for failing is a contaminated environment. People tend to conform to the
Success is an attitude
Ted Msipa
dictates of the environment as if the environment is their conscience. The last time I checked we are all free people or moral agents with the right to choose what we may become. Therefore it is criminal for us to point at the environment with reckless abandon, as the author of all our challenges, particularly fail-
ures. Granted, the environment has a cameo role to play in determining what shall become of you. However attributing all the failures to it will equate to accusing Osama Bin Ladin of being the author of the genesis of all the world’s problems. It may be argued that he is a contributing factor, but certainly not the main cause. I am fully persuaded that we all need to take responsibility and ownership over all our decisions and responses. That has further implications, we ought to have a sound value system, this is particularly true given that our decisions are usually based on our value system.A good value system includes a high sense of integrity, a sense of personal self mastery. A sense of loyalty, a high level of patience and a few others. All the decisions
you make or validate are inside of your value system, so in order to make better decisions and attain a better life, work on your value system. Your value system is your true north which governs where you are headed. Rise up and take charge, begin to dominate your environment. As a matter of opinion, I believe that if you are not dominating your environment, it is dominating you. Think big, think success and rise to conquer. You are much better than what you have seen; great days are ahead of you, buckle up and enter the unknown, stretch out and reach the next level. Success is an attitude; let us meet at the top. Ted Msipa is a Success Coach, Leadership strategist and Motivational Speaker.
How to become a “successful” entrepreneur (Continuation from last week) Last week we agreed that to become a “successful” entrepreneur, one has to admire and model “successful” tycoons. As a result, we decided to explore qualities of the “successful” moguls. Successful business people take full charge of their success responsibility. They are not ashamed to ask for help. And they know their strong and weak qualities, but mainly focus and develop their strengths: They know themselves. In addition to last week’s points, “successful” entrepreneurs know what they want. In Mr. Covey’s words, they begin with an end in mind. Most people fail in business because they know what they don’t want but surprisingly they keep attracting that which they don’t want. Why? The mind attracts what one thinks about most. Therefore, it is important to know exactly what you want out of your project and think about it most. Clearly, clarity is power. One of the successful South African business women; Shereen
Hackart, puts it perfectly in my book: THE MOTIVE. She says, “Be careful of what you write down because you will get it.” I say be careful of what you decide to put your mind on, because you will get it. In life we get what we have the courage to ask for. Know what you want. Are you one of the people who have good business ideas but lack capital to implement them? Win-
ners in business world take one step at the time. Most people who are waiting for capital, which they may never have, want to start really BIG. They want to make thousands of Maloti in their first enterprises. That is not how most “successful” entrepreneurs started. They, instead, went from zero to hero. They started at a very bottom to the top. They embraced the fact that a journey of thousands miles is covered with a single step at the time. Please understand that in each step of the business success and failure, there is a valuable lesson attached. If you decide to start big, it means you decide to skip a few business lessons. Therefore, you may not make a “successful” entrepreneur. It is perfectly fine to start small and grow one step at the time. Successful entrepreneurs have a strategy on how to handle rejection. No one has achieved a significant success without going through a series of rejections. No one likes
being rejected. Instead, I can argue that most people are afraid to venture into business in fear of rejection. Rejection during sales, for business is sales. Business gurus know that some people will say yes to their products while others say no, however, they do their business anyway! They even go to the extent of looking for as many rejections as possible since they have mastered that business success is found in the midst of rejections. “Some will say yes, others will say no, so what? I am doing it anyway!” That is my slogan as I go through my sales journey. In summary, be clear of what you want. Take one step at the time. Be willing to persist even in the face of rejection. Success is a CHOICE!
back, is whether they would be safe with her, as she abandoned them for a year and eight months,” she added. She maintained that they would like the children to be under the care of the orphanage while they continue with the investigations to find out if the children would be safe with the mother. Meanwhile , ’Matumelo Matsora- Letlala, Welfare Officer at Social Development in Berea, pointed out that they work together with the Police on many incidents which are more or less the same as the one that happened to these two. She said the Police brought the children to her, and on the same day she took them to the hospital to ask if the hospital could offer them care while she was locating a place to keep them safe. Matsora-Letlala also said they questioned the mother about why she had abandoned the children but her answers were not convincing, thus the conclusion was that
they remain at the orphanage while investigations continue. The mother of the abandoned children told this paper that she was not the one who had abandoned children, as she had left them in the care of her younger sister who is eighteen (18) years old, while she was at work at Maputsoe. She said that she was a single parent, as the husband had left her in 2013 and she begged that she should have her children back as she was willing to take care of them. When asked why she did not come back when the Police called her, she said the Police officers who called her were not on good terms with her, saying they did not speak politely to her. “I promise to take care of these children as I will no longer work far from them,” she said with tears streaming down her cheeks. For her part, Reverend Father Pule Mahlaku, the Priest at St. Cecelia Catholic where the meeting took place pointed out that on be-
half of the orphanage, he felt privileged that they are looking after the children given to them by the Department of Social Development. He maintained that the orphanage was for all abandoned, orphans and vulnerable children. “Some of the children we take care of had been thrown into the toilets by their own mothers , some were deserted by their parents, some are double orphans while others were brought here because their parents were failing to take care of them due to financial crisis,” stated Rev. Fr. Mahlaku. Father Mahlaku further explained that they usually take care of the children until they reach the age of eighteen (18) when they are offered an opportunity to choose what they would like to do with their lives. “As the administrator of the orphanage I will keep the two girls until the full investigations are finalized whether the mother is in a position to look after them or not children,” he said.
MONEY TALK
Mohau P. Mosoeunyane
Mohau P Mosoeunyane is a philosophical motivational speaker, professional educator and an author of a financial success book.
Mother meets children she had forsaken By ’Majirata Latela
BEREA - A twenty three (23) year old mother rejoined her two girl children she had abandoned for almost two years - a year and eight months on Thursday last week, Informative can reveal. The elder sister is five years old while the younger is three years old. Inspector Halieo Ntokoana from Berea Police revealed that they got a tip off from the community that there were two young girls who had been left unattended at Ha ’Maleoela, Mapoteng. She said following the tip, they went to the scene and found the two children that they took to the Department of Social Development. “During that time, we discovered that these children were indeed left unattended for a maximum of four days,” explained inspector Ntokoana. “The question that arises in our minds when the mother says she would like to have her children
03 Nov. - 09 Nov. 2015
ADVERTS 9
NEWS
10
03 Nov. - 09 Nov . 2015
Lesotho celebrates His Majesty’s term as first AU ‘Champion for Nutrition’ By Thandie Mthimk’hulu Maseru - Basotho commemorated the term of His Majesty King Letsie III as the first African Union (AU) ‘Champion for Nutrition’ where all stakeholders pledged their support for the way forward on how to make Lesotho the best country with regard to nutrition. Speaking at the occasion, Minister of Education and Training, Dr. Mahali Phamotse, being one of the stakeholders said Lesotho like many other middle income countries, experiences challenges emanating from high levels of under nutrition and micro- nutrient deficiencies among children below the age of five. She said the list of malnutrition related negative effects on human development is endless, culminating in slow economic development. “The most sensitive of all who are affected are children and pregnant women as their sensitivity lies in the fact that by nature of their being, their health is critical in the provision of a strong human resource base for sustainable development,’’ she added. The Minister pointed out that good nutrition will help the country in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which include the reduction of maternal mortality, promotion of 100% disease prevention and provision of the universal health services. ‘’With good nutrition, we should be able, as a country and a Continent, to achieve these health related SDG’s and more,’’ said Dr. Phamotse She further pointed out that nutrition plays a vital role in human resource development by enhancing an individual’s mental and physical state, resulting in good health and high work performance and that in children, it results in enhancement of learning abilities, resulting in optimum school performance. Meanwhile, His Majesty King
His Majesty King Letsie III
Letsie III, the first African Union Champion on Nutrition, said he accepted this responsibility because he realized that our Continent was facing very serious nutrition related challenges and that all African countries are talking about raising awareness about the consequences of malnutrition and that our country, is confronted with the double burden of malnutrition, under nutrition and over nutrition which are both of great concern to the Government of Lesotho and need to be addressed as a matter of urgency. The King said Lesotho is faced with nutritional problems of excessive intake of empty calories and fat which are contributing to an in-
crease in metabolic chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases and that our country is also confronted with malnutrition. “Malnourished children will suffer from diminished physical and cognitive development resulting in poor performance in classrooms which limits their education and skills,” explained the King. He went on to indicate that malnourished children’s future economic productivity in society will be hindered, “some reports and experts estimating that malnutrition can bring losses of about two to three percent of countries’ Gross Domestic Product (GDP).”
“It is therefore clear that under nutrition deprives the country of much needed human resources for our socio-economic development,” added His Majesty. He said one of the questions which has continually resonated in his mind since becoming the African Union Champion, is “how do we domesticate the commitments made in various AU fora to Lesotho’s situation, through introducing appropriate legal instruments and policies.” “I often ask myself how we can bring nutrition to the fore in our battle against HIV/AIDS.” He then mentioned that adequate nutrition is important both in the prevention and management of HIV/AIDS saying poor nutrition compromises the immune system. He advised that the country should seek to address nutrition and HIV/AIDS in a more holistic fashion so that nutrition can become an important weapon in this titanic battle against the pandemic. Finally, King Letsie III said there was slower progress than had been anticipated with regard to obesity and that there is recorded increase in women’s anemia which needs to be addressed urgently. “Therefore, countries should enact regional and national legislation and all policy documents that mandate food fortification such that all citizens have access to safe affordable food that is rich in essential vitamins and minerals for health, growth and development,” the King was quoted as saying. In 2014, His Majesty King Letsie III was nominated as the first African Union Champion, as recommended by the Fifth African Task Force on Food and Nutrition Development (ATFFND), which was held in Maseru Lesotho in July 2013 and endorsed by the 24th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union held in Addis Ababa Ethiopia in January 2014.
Lesotho gears up to improve Agriculture By Tefo Khunonyane
MASERU-The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security together with Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) and other stakeholders are jointly devising strategies to promote food security in the country, Informative has learnt. The director of Agricultural research at the National University of Lesotho (NUL), Lefulesele Lebesa pointed out that they are up in arms to strengthen the national agricultural research and extension system in Lesotho. She indicated that the Government of Lesotho had adopted many agricultural policies aimed at improving agriculture, such as vision 2020, the National Strategy Development Plan and the Comprehensive Africa’s Agricultural Development Programme –National Agricultural Investment Plan (CAADP-NAIP), and said these policies seem to have failed to produce positive results.
Lebesa also cited climate change, drought and soil erosion, lack of agricultural resources and the building of houses on arable land as problems that have contributed to perennial failure of agriculture for many years. At the same time, Lebesa mentioned that even if research could be strengthened, if services cannot reach the communities it is intended to reach, the initiatives of the government to improve agriculture cannot be successful. She indicated that Lesotho has introduced and implemented National Agricultural and Extension System from the 1st August this year and is intended to end on 31st July 2017. She also mentioned that the project would start in Leribe and Quthing. Lebesa went on to indicate that the project was intended for 24 months, and during that time all the districts will have been covered. She also announced that this project had been supported with M5 million by
the Government of Lesotho. The senior advisor of the International Center for Development Oriented Research in Agriculture (ICRA), Julia Ekong, pointed out that innovation is a new model that includes block farming and other forms of agriculture. She also mentioned that NGOS and the media fraternity should be included in the agricultural research project. Meanwhile, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security ‘Mapalesa Mothokho mentioned that the strengthening of the National Agricultural Research and Extension system in Lesotho signifies a new beginning of transformation in the agricultural research and extension system of this country. She said Lesotho faces an enormous challenge of further decline in food production, especially under changing weather patterns further complicated by climate change. The Minister further pointed out that the poor, who happen to be con-
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security 'Mapalesa Motoboli
centrated in rural areas and depend on agriculture are the most vulnerable and are the most often left behind.
Bu$ine$$ Zone NEWS
03 Nov. - 09 Nov. 2015
11
03 November. - 09 November. 2015
Factory workers sensitized on labour regulations By Pulane Lichaba MASERU- Skillshare International Lesotho, in a joint venture with Trade Unions hosted a training workshop for 25 shop stewards from different textile industries around Maseru on international labour standards, conciliation and arbitration matters. Monaheng Mokaoane, Secretary General of Lentsoe la Sechaba Workers Union stated that the workshop was aimed at enhancing the capacity of shop stewards to represent workers at the tribunal level - Directorate of Dispute Prevention and Resolution (DDPR). He added that the objective was also to raise awareness on decent work and ethical production principles including health and safety. For his part, Bahlakoana Lebakae, Secretary General of United Textiles stated that retaining and increasing employment in the garment manufacturing sector is seen as a central instrument in the Poverty Reduction Strategy Policy (PRSP).
“The objective of this training is to sensitize shop stewards, increase their knowledge base and skills so that they could directly and effectively represent workers at Labour Tribunal level; the training will provide a much needed capacity base for analysis, selection and case management, of which cases are to be defended,” he said. Lebakae also added that there would be a further 240 workers who will be trained in the achievement of decent work and ethical production principles including health and safety at workplaces, so as to widen their understanding of working conditions and structures in the industry.” People learn best from people who share their working conditions.” “We also want the workers and the general public made aware of workers’ rights and conditions of employment in Lesotho and internationally.” Lebakae said the working conditions, especially for women are said to be well below the Interna-
Some of the factory workers during training
tional Labour Organizations (ILO) standards in most factories, thus capacity building and awareness rising would have a strong gender emphasis on advocacy for workers’ rights in the work place. “As part of the requirements of this training, a work plan would be
developed outlining the time-frame within which all objectives of the project shall be reached. All shop stewards and Trade Union representatives would be responsible for monthly progress reports which would be consolidated by the project coordinator,” he said.
Stanlib encourages investing for retirement By Pulane Lichaba
MASERU- Stanlib Bank in partnership with the University of the Free State (UFS) hosted personal financial management training on principles of investing for retirement. Managing Director of Stanlib Bank, Kelello Rametse noted that the training was aimed at highlighting the importance of personal financial planning. He indicated that it is difficult to think about life after work, especially when a person is still young, or immersed in their career, family and social life. “But in order for them to continue to live comfortably during retirement, it is worth putting away a regular amount now, to help fund that freedom,” explained Rametse “Saving for retirement is key to your entire financial plan, therefore it is important to partner with an investment company that understands your needs and has the breadth of expertise to help you meet your goals,” he added. Meanwhile, Dr. Liezel Alsemgeest, Lecturer at the UFS Centre for Financial Planning Law stated that people should consider
investing for retirement to avoid being a burden to their children and also for purposes of financial independence. Dr. Alsemgeest indicated that due to life being more technology driven, people have grown accustomed to everything being instant. “We want what we want and we want it now and this will not work as a retirement strategy. We need to shift to a lower gear and realize that it is a marathon, not a sprint,” she said. She advised that investing early is crucial as it lets one to harness the power of compound interest and ride out any
negative market movements safely, so that one could reach his or her goals with less effort and more certainty. Dr. Alsemgeest continued that avoiding risk can be very risky because the more risk a person is willing to take, the greater the potential return on their investments. “Not taking risks is considered as giving up on returns. The more unpredictable the return pattern over time, the riskier the asset is considered to be. People should be patient; retirement plan-
Dr Liezel Alsemgeest delivering her speech
ning needs to be long term goal as short term objectives are not conducive to success,” she noted. “As you get closer to retirement, you should pay off all debts and also take the economic climate into account,” she concluded. Former Ambassador of Lesotho to Denmark Teboho Ndobe pointed out that he had retired in 1995 and has been on retirement for 18 years. “Investing for retirement is a very crucial thing to do; you need to plan it by talking to financial planners and also investing in products that can beat inflation”. He advised that there are two important figures you need to keep in mind, life expectancy and the time you will be retiring. “When you retire, you relinquish your job and salaries. That means, there are a number of challenges you will encounter which include medical bills, inflation and children. We should start investing today so that we are able to afford comfortable retirement,” he stated. Stanlib bank started its operations in Lesotho in 2001.
NEWS 12
03 Nov. - 09 Nov. 2015
IAL offers communities free medical aid By Thandie Mthimkhulu
QUTHING - The Indian Association of Lesotho (IAL) stationed its medical camp at Holy Trinity High School to provide the communities of Quthing free medical aid on Saturday. Addressing the multitudes that assembled at Holy Trinity High School Dr. Sahila Peerbhail, the President of IAL expressed her immense pleasure that she was part of the medical camp in Quthing. She pointed out that the Indian diaspora has well integrated into the Basotho community and society making significant contributions towards promotion of art, education, health, culture and commerce in the Kingdom. Dr. Sahila said the IAL which was founded 25 years ago has been making immense contributions through delivering its mandate of promoting, collaborating friendship between Indians and Basotho, and persons of other nationalities and cultures. The President pointed out that IAL has been conducting annual India-Lesotho Friendship Day and free medical camps. She further indicated that that day, 31st October is a date when their first female Prime Minister of India, Mrs. Indira Gandhi was assassinated in New Delhi, India in 1984. She stated that Mrs. Gandhi was also India’s third Prime Minister who was a strong supporter of community services.
From left to right, Salman Mohamed, Cassim Ally Zakhura, Dr. Sahila Peerbhail and their associate
The President told this paper that during the medical camp the association helps the needy and the underprivileged. She said there are free consultations; examinations, health education and dispensing of medicines by their volunteers, and referrals are also done for the patients who need to be referred for special treatments. “Today amongst the volunteers we have specialists like surgeon, physician, psychiatrist, dentist, medical doctors, pharmacists, nurses, counselors, blood transfusion services. Besides this, we also have volunteers from Lesotho work camp association who are with us. We are also going to donate clothes to the needy here in Quthing today,” she explained.
She congratulated the Executive members of IAL and the Indian community for organizing the medical camp. Dr. Peerbhail indicated that without Medicare Lesotho, NDSO, Sign Masters, and Maseru Pharmaceuticals the camp could be impossible. She went on to show that as the association, they are planning to plant trees all over Lesotho in all the districts and that they would be liaising with the relevant authorities and schools for the activity. “We are looking forward to get support from the relevant authorities,” she said. Meanwhile, Salman Mohamed a member of IAL Committee indicated
that IAL has always strived to bridge the cultural and traditional gap between India and Lesotho and that throughout the year they do a lot of charitable activities including medical camps in needy places. “We humbly request all of you to continue supporting our association activities in the future as they are all charity activities,” he added. ’Manani Thokoa, one of the villagers who was on wheelchair, indicated that it is their profound pleasure, and that they are grateful for the health services that were brought to them by IAL. She disclosed that they sometimes fail to go for checkups on time due to lack of money for transport and that they often arrive late at clinics only to find very long queues, and that sometimes they fail to be attended by nurses and doctors. Janki Lekhula, on behalf of Quthing Chief asserted that they are quite grateful that IAL has visited the populace of Quthing to offer them free health services. He stated that life comes first and that the healthy community contributes positively in the development of the country. In its endeavor, IAL was supported by a number of medical doctors, Lesotho Work Camp Association, Clinton Health Access Initiative, Lesotho Planned Parenthood Association, Indian Army, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and Zakhura Brothers.
Home Affairs Minister officially opens border post By Tefo Khunonyane Butha-Buthe -The Minister of Home Affairs, Advocate Lekhetho Rakuoane on Thursday last week officially opened Caledonspoort border post after it had undergone major refurbishment. The new buildings of Caledonspoort border post include offices for the Lesotho Revenue Authority (LRA), Immigration, Customs, Agriculture and the Police. The buildings also include four roomed houses with stoves and wardrobes, for the staff. These houses have a kitchen, dining room, bedroom and bathroom. There is also a boardroom and a snack bar and internet access point. There has a security scanner at the border post, for the control of contraband. Speaking at the event, the chairperson of heads of Border Agencies, ’Makali Lepholisa indicated that the World Bank’s ‘Doing Business Report’ ranks Lesotho at #128 out of 189 countries for the years 2014 and 2015. She further pointed out that, with regard to the trading across borders indicator, the same report ranks Lesotho at #145 in 2014, and #147 in 2015, out of 189 countries surveyed, which means that Lesotho regressed by two points in that category during the period under review. Lepholisa further mentioned that
among the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) member states Lesotho ranks the lowest, on the same ranking report. She stated that these World Bank ‘Doing Business Reports’ are accessible and seen by the whole world, including those who are interested in investing in economies with better rankings. She indicated that these rankings reflect how facilitative Basotho are in moving people and goods across the borders. She also pointed out that Lesotho is a signatory to a number of international agreements, of key importance being the World Trade Organization agreement on trade facilitation. She went on to mention that this agreement emphasizes the need for border agencies to collaborate. She indicated that the current approach to border management in Lesotho is still inefficient, fragmented and costly for both the Government of Lesotho as well as for the border users. Lepholisa indicated that each border management agency carries out its own border management strategies and policies and each agency border office oversees its own processes. She pointed out that Customs implement risk management and releases low risk consignments on the basis of its own criteria, without necessarily sharing that information
Advocate Lekhetho Rakuoane, the Minister of Home Affairs
with other agencies, which could contribute indicators for a common risk management approach, since they all deal with the same border user. Delivering his keynote address at the same occasion, the Minister of Home Affairs, Advocate Lekhetho Rakuoane indicated that he was very pleased to have been given the opportunity to officially open the border post facility. He further pointed out that the government of Lesotho had committed itself to renovating and improving Lesotho’s border posts five years back. The Minister said the border posts should be a true reflection of
what the visitors entering the country could expect to see in the country. He therefore appealed to Basotho to embark on cleaning campaigns and keep Butha-Buthe clean, because it is a disgrace to see border posts clean, while towns are dirty. Advocate Rakuoane indicated that the Prime Minister of Lesotho, Dr Pakalitha Mosisili had just launched factory shells a few months ago for companies that hold out the promise of jobs to hundreds of Basotho. He mentioned that it was the intention of the Government of Lesotho to see to it that Basotho get jobs.
ADVERTS 13
03 Nov. - 09 Nov. 2015
GLOBAL FUND SUPPORTS LESOTHO TO COMBAT MDR/XDR TB Round 8 TB grant titled “Scaling up access to quality community-based integrated management of MDR/XDR-TB and HIV in Lesotho” started implementation in 1st October 2010 to 31st September 2015. The overall goal of Round 8 TB grant was to reduce the burden of TB including MDR/XDR-TB in Lesotho by 2015 in line with the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) and Stop TB partnership targets. This grant has just ended in September, but received a six-month No-Cost Extension (NCE) in order to ensure continuity in the TB program management until when the new grant starts in April 2016. The no cost extension will support food packages for patients and incentives of treatment supporters as well as administration cost. This grant aimed at addressing multi-drug resistance (MDR) TB and HIV/TB co-infection focusing mainly on high risk population such as miners, prisoners, Children, and HIV/ TB patients. TB program is further providing high quality Direct Observation Therapy Strategy (DOTS), and initiate regular research on TB to be able to plan effectively on management of this disease. ACHIEVEMENTS ATTAINED WITH THE SUPPORT OF THIS GRANT: • Supported 100% procurement of Multiple Drugs Resistance (MDR) TB treatment. No stock-out has been experienced for MDR TB drugs in the country. • The grant further procured additional five genexpert machines that are used to easily detect TB in HIV patients and procured five LED microscopes for easy TB diagnosis. • The central MDR/XDR TB hospital was extended with isolated wards with 20 beds capacity, while the regional hospitals in Leribe, Mohale’s hoek and Mokhotlong were renovated and installed ventilation system as part of infection control measure. • The generators were procured and installed to the regional hospitals for MDR/ XDR TB wards as part of back-up system in case of emergency electricity cut. • The drugs warehouse for Central MDR/XDR hospital was extended. • Under this grant, inmates were screened for TB regularly for early case detection to ensure infection control. • Senior police staff was also trained to ensure suspects are screened for TB before being detained in the cells to avoid infecting others. • Insulated cooler bags were procured for patients to preserve their injections and drugs. • N95 and N100 masks were procured as part of infection control. • Procured three vehicles for supervision, mobile clinic and food distribution to the MDR TB patients in the districts. • Supported over 200 MDR TB Patients country wide with 2nd line Anti TB drugs, food packages, temporary accommodation for bed ridden patients from far districts and money for transport during check-ups as well as support access to health services. • Provided incentives to over 200 Treatment Supporters who provided care and support for MDR TB patients for 24 months of their treatment and 8 months of daily injection. • Supported engagement of 30 Microscopists in 18 hospitals around the country to assist in TB diagnosis among presumptive TB cases and patients. • The grant further provided salaries for 10 psychosocial adherence officers. • Two MGIT 960 Analysers machines for Central TB Laboratory and Mafeteng Laboratory were procured in order to conduct DST tests locally and save the costs. • The grants supported refresher training of doctors, nurses on MDR/XDR TB • Supported operation research study on MDR TB in order to identify problems hindering the success of combating TB with a view to improve country’s performance. • The Drugs Resistance Survey (DRS) was conducted to monitor resistance patterns and inform future strategies address drug resistant TB among the nation. • Blackberry phones were also procured for TB coordinators and Health centre staff to improve communication and referral of patients and prevent Loss to follow up and hence improved Treatment success rates of enrolled TB patients • Supported bi-annual review and quarterly supervision to all districts. This served as means to monitor and evaluate performance, identify gaps and come up with targeted interventions to address them. The Ministry of Health TB Programme attributes the current level of performance in other indicators to these regular supervision and review meetings. Despite of all these achievements, this Grant had the following challenges that hindered fully fledged implementation and fund absorption; • Failure to engage service providers e.g. engagement of NGO to conduct awareness raising and health education campaign on TB to the community. Therefore to-date the budget for Advocacy, Communications and Social Mobilization (ACSM) was not utilized. • The grant was supposed to support TB Prevalence survey to determine the burden of TB, however due to capacity challenges in the programme, However this activity has been brought forward to be implemented within
• • •
Food distribution card
4X4 vehicles were procured for districts visit to MDR TB for drugs refill and distribution of food packages
iLED microscopes were procured to strengthen TB diagnosis and case detection.
Treatment supporters that provide care and support for MDR patients for 24 months were given incentives
Genexpert machines were procured to ensure easy detection of TB in patients with HIV
The regional TB wards in Mhoek, Leribe and Mokhotlong were extended and ventilatilation installed as the control measure
Warehouse at central MDR TB hospital was renovated and extended to ensure the safety of medicines
The treatment refill bags were procured
The Global Fund also supports the procurement of MDR TB treatment. 083
Through grant food packages were procured for MDR patients to encourage treatment adherence
the envisaged grant under New Funding Model while attempt are being made to identify and engage suitable organization to lead the process. This activity had USD$ 2.1 million set aside for it and affected financial performance of the grant. Delays in payment of activities due to lack of supporting documents or reports, as well as postponement of activities from the intended period also resulted in low absorption. Lengthy procurement processes also affects timely expenditure. The funds for payment of transport for treatment supporters which depended much on the submission of treatment supporters’ lists was not fully absorbed due logistical challenges in administering them.
Conclusion R8 TB grant experienced initial implementation difficulties that affected the grant performance in the beginning. By the end of first year of implementation, the performance of R8 TB was poor, most indicators performed between 0-50% and the overall grant performance was 56% which was rated “C”. After the end of 18 months of implementation the grant performance improved to “B2”. The phase 1 budget was USD $7, 736, 00 million and only USD $3,782,429 million was utilized by the end of phase 1. This grant had 2 Sub Recipients (SR) namely Ministry of Health through the National TB Programme (NTP) and Partners In Health (PIH). The Global Fund realized that the challenges faced during phase 1 were beyond the implementers and therefore the Global Fund was flexible enough to provide the remaining balance of phase 1 of USD $4,729,529 and combined it with phase two funds. During Phase 2 the grant implementation excelled and achieved high rating of “A1” and “A2” throughout the three years term despite the challenges and this increased the chances for the country to obtain future funding to combat this public health threat. Thank you all for joining hands in the fight against TB and HIV. This information prepared by; Communications Unit Global Fund Coordinating Unit (GFCU), Ministry of Finance (MOF) 4th Floor MGC Office Park T (+266) 22324023 | website www.gfcu.org.ls Like our facebook page at
www.facebook.com/gfcu.org.ls
NEWS 14
03 Nov. - 09 Nov. 2015
Gov’t is committed to equal opportunities for disabled: Minister By ’Mantšali Phakoana. MASERU-Minister of Social Development Molahlehi Letlotlo says the government of Lesotho is committed to the equalization of opportunities for persons with various disabilities and to ending discrimination, Informative can reveal The Minister said this in Maseru last week at the launch of the Lesotho National Disability Mainstreaming Plan. According to Letlotlo, the National Disability and Rehabilitation Policy is aimed at creating an environment where persons with disabilities living and working in Lesotho would be able to realize their full potential. “In fulfilling the obligations of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the Ministry of Social Development in consultation with the Lesotho National Federation of Disabled (LNFOD), Organisations of Persons with Disabilities and relevant government ministries came up with the strategy to implement the National Disability and Rehabilitation Policy through the drafting of the National Disability Mainstreaming Plan,” said the Minister. Letlotlo further indicated that Lesotho is a member of the Communities of Practice in Disability Advocacy for Mainstreaming (COPDAM) programme, which was established by the Secretariat of the African Decade of Persons with Disabilities, which operates in six countries; Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe as well as South Africa. He also pointed out that Lesotho signed a 10 year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Africa Disability Alliance (ADA) in December 2013, during which period disability mainstreaming
should have taken place throughout the country, to ensure that persons with disabilities fully participate in the development of the country and their rights are being observed. The Minister went on to show that the National Disability Mainstreaming Plan is not only a policy tool but also a way of implementing the conditions within the signed MOU between Lesotho and ADA. He noted: “It is important to indicate that we are all responsible for mainstreaming disability in the provision of services. We should encourage the private sector to do the same.” He concluded by stating that they are very proud that twelve government ministries have appointed focal points whose responsibility is to ensure that disability mainstreaming takes place within their Ministries. Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) ADA, Kudakwashe Dube said he was pleased to see the partnership between the Government of Lesotho and Civil Society Organisations especially of persons living with disabilities, which he said is not a normal situation. He further stated that the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which Lesotho has also ratified must be made to meet the dream for persons with disabilities. Dube said: “Our support of the government of Lesotho will continue beyond this Programme. It is with great pleasure that even with the difficulty of political issues, there has been continuous support to fulfil this Plan, and there is also political support despite the political changes.” He acknowledged the Government of Lesotho for its commitment to making the National Disability Mainstreaming Plan live. European Union (EU) Representative, Makome Mafethe said EU
Minister of Social Development, Molahlehi Letlotlo
had been supporting LNFOD with various projects such as that of advocating, promoting services to persons with disabilities, which operates currently in four districts, being Berea, Butha-Buthe, Maseru as well as Mohale’s Hoek. She stated that LNFOD is doing a lot of advocacy for disabled persons. “EU is committed to supporting Civil Society Organisations in Lesotho.” Moveover, Mafethe mentioned that disability deals with Human Rights therefore disabled persons need to be supported by everyone. Nkhasi Sefuthi, Executive Director at LNFOD said persons with disabilities must be part of the inclusive and accessible design, planning, monitoring, implementation and evaluation of the government programs through their representative Organisations. He again indicated that the Government of Lesotho had played the major role in the lives of the disabled and that they participate in the development of this plan so that
the rights and needs of people with disabilities could be incorporated into the Lesotho National Disability Mainstreaming plan. “The Government of Lesotho has fully demonstrated its willingness to work with Organisations of People with Disabilities in eradicating the challenges faced by the disabled,” said Sefuthi. He continued: “LNFOD strongly believes that, the effective implementation of this plan can change the lives of the marginalised people with disabilities who remain invisible in the society due to environmental and attitudinal barriers facing them in the communities in which they live.” He further said LNFOD therefore commends the government of Lesotho for undertaking the development of the mainstreaming plan during the period when the world has just adopted the SDGs of which some of them make specific reference to people with disabilities.
Vast opportunities for Basotho to study in Europe - official By ’Mantšali Phakoana MASERU - European Union (EU) for the first time hosted a two day study fair for the two major universities in the country, namely, the National University of Lesotho (NUL) as well as Limkokwing University of Creative Technology (LUCT). EU Press and Information Officer, Liatile Putsoa, said there are vast opportunities for Basotho children to study in Europe institutions of higher learning. “The fair was aimed at enlightening Basotho students about scholarship opportunities in European countries,” explained Putsoa. “This is the first time we carry out this fair and it’s our hope that next year we will hold similar fairs in other institutions of higher learning in the country,” she added. Putsoa went on to indicate that the fair was on Tuesday and Wednesday last week at NUL and LUCT respectively, adding that while at NUL, the Consul General of Portugal, Luisa Da Palma Fragoso was also present. She further stated that some of the programmes include that of the Erasmus, offered by a consortium of European and non-European higher education institutions.
LUCT students listening to EU Press and Information Officer, Liatile Putsoa
Putsoa added that in Erasmus programme, there is a full scholarship for post graduate studies, both full time and part time. “The Masters course carries out a competitive selection procedure for scholarship places and is open to candidates from across the world.” Meanwhile, Maphike Manyebutse, a fourth year student at LUCT pursuing Honours Degree in Human Resource (HR) said it could be important if similar events could be held frequently so that Basotho who are eager to study are well informed about this kind of opportunities. “Some of us are willing to study abroad but because of financial
problems, our dreams are shattered. From now, I feel it is my responsibility to enlighten other people who have long graduated and are still at home because of unemployment. I understand that some of them would like to further their studies,” he said. Feeling inspired, Manyebutse said he was going to work harder in his studies in order to succeed at his Honours and then he would apply for a scholarship to pursue his Masters at one of the Universities abroad. “I know this is going to happen. It starts here, and tomorrow I will be far ahead,” said Manyebutse. He continued: “I know most of
the people who apply for sponsorships such as these tend to lose hope when their applications are not accepted, but I have learned that there is a stiff competition and therefore, it needs people who would keep on applying until the right time finally arrives.” Meanwhile, a representative from the France Campus in South Africa, Nonhlanhla Kunene being the University Cooperation Officer said France Campus is an Agency promoting higher education in France as well as other countries including Lesotho. She said basically they promote Masters and PhD Degrees. “Masters programmes are applied for once a year, from September to March the following year while PhD programmes are applied for the whole year without any time frame and we offer a full scholarship,” she noted. Kunene also highlighted that studying in EU countries, is an advantage to people under 26 years, since they get a discount for everything, either accommodation, transport and others. “As we have students studying in our Campus, we also encourage them to explore and meet many other people regardless of nationality, religion or sex,” she said.
INF
RMATIVE
03 Pulungoana. - 09 Pulungoana. 2015
Lentsoe La Sechaba
LITABA
15
Lentsoe La Sechaba Labobeli la la 03 Pulungoana - 09 Pulungoana 2015
Moporofeta Thaanyane o theha mokha
Moprofeta Moepa Thaanyane
Ka ’Majirata Latela MASERU - Moporofeta Moepa Thaanyane ea tsebahalang ka ho porofeta haholo litaba tsa boemo ba naha ea Lesotho ba lipolotiki le ho porofeta meriana e phekolang batho ba tšoeroeng ke mafu a kang Koatsi ea Bosolla Hlapi (HIV&AIDS), o hlahisitse ka pele ho baphatlalatsi ba litaba mokha o mocha oo a o thehileng. Ha a bua ’mokeng ona Moporofeta Thaanyane o hlalositse hore o senoletsoe ke Molimo hore a thehe mokha o bitsoang Basotho Thabeng ea Senai (BTS), ’me a hlalosa hore o
romeletsoe ke Molimo hore a lopolle Basotho liatleng tsa bapolotiki. “Ho fapakana le mekha e meng ea lipolotiki e teng ka har’a naha ea Lesotho, Basotho Thabeng ea Senai (BTS) ke mokha o thehiloeng ele taelo le thomo e matla ea Jehova Molimo oa leholimo ho Moprofeta oa hae ea mo tšepang ka ho fetisisa,” ho boletse Moporofeta Thaanyane. “Thomo ena ke e senoletsoe bosiung ba la leshome (10) Loetse 2015 kamor’a hore Molimo a ntsebise hore o nyahlatsa motho eo a neng a mo tšepetse ho busa Lesotho ka lebaka la ho se mo utloe,” ho rialo Moporofeta Thaanyane.
O hlalositse hore taba e ’ngoe ea bohlokoa ke hore o filoe thomo ke Molimo ho tla tsitsisa puso ea Lesotho ho latela morero oa hae (Molimo) ka Lesotho ’me a re ka hona o tl’o busa ele mopolotiki le moporofeta ea mamelang seo eleng thato ea Molimo ka Lesotho le Basotho ’me a re sena se fapakana le mehoo ea mekha e meng kahare ho naha. “Basotho ba tla hopola hore ke Thabeng ea Senai moo sechaba sa Ba-Israel se qalileng ho utloa ka litsebe tsa sona Lentsoe la Jehova Molimo oa sona, ha ka linako tsohle ba ne ba ntse ba bona mehlolo e etsoang ke eena feela,” ho rialo Moporofeta Thaanyane. A bontša hore ke Thabeng eo ea Senai eo kajeno sechaba sa Basotho se lokelang ho hloella ho eona ’me ka mokhoa o tšoanang Basotho ba tla fuoa tsela eo ba tlang ho tsamaea ka eona ho tloha kajeno ho isa ho sa feleng. Har’a mehoo eo mokha o bontšitseng hore o tl’o tsamaea ka eona ke hore hang-hang ha puso e se ele matsohong a bona ba tl’o hlahisa molao oo ka ’ona Bakhethoa bohle kantle ho Tona-Kholo le Matona ba tlang ho etsa lihlopha tse leshome tseo ka linako tsohle li tlang ho sebetsana le ho shebana le litlhoko tsa setereke ka seng ’me a re litlhoko tseo li tla sebetsoa ho latela bohlokolosi le ho potlaka hoa tsona seterekeng ka seng. Moporofeta o boletse hore ba tl’o felisa chelete efuoang bahlanka ba ’muso ha ba ea maetong a kantle o naha.
Sechaba se itela ho ’Masepala
Ka Palesa Mosola MASERU - Sechaba sa motse oa Koaring Tšenola se re Lekhotla la Motse-Moholo (MCC) le ba thuse ka ho thiba letamo le ileng la phunyeha ka nako ea lipula tsa likhohola ’me le bonahalang le baka khoholeho ea mobu mabitleng a haufi le letamo leo. Puisanong le Lentsoe la Sechaba, Monghali Masheane Thejane eo eleng setho sa Komiti ea Ntlafatso o boletse hore e bile mohai oa motse oo ho tloha ka 1994. A tsoela pele ho supa hore letamo leo le seng le bakile lengope le pela mabitla a malahleha le bonahala le
baka bothata kaha nakong eo pula e nang e hohola mobu ’me makese a bafu a sala feela a le lepala-paleng ’me le masapo a bafu ba tšetsoeng ka lipolasitiking a bonahala kantle ho mabitla hoo a bileng a jeoa ke lintja. “Monko o bang teng sebakeng seo ha se o nkhang ha monate sebakeng sa maphelo a sechaba se phelang tikolohong eo,” a rialo Monghali Thejane. Monghali Thejane o tsoetse pele ho hlakisa hore bothata ba letamo lena bo bonahetse kamor’a hore ho be le moahi e mong oa motse ea ileng a cheka pela lona a leka ho khelosa metsi ’me ho cheka hoo hoa hae ho bonahala ho nkile karolo ho phunyeheng hoa lona.
Sepolesa se tšoentsoe ke mafu a bakoang ke bonyatsi pg 16
Ha a tsoela pele Monghali Thejane o boletse hore ke takatso ea bona hore (MCC) e ba thuse ka mekotlana ea lisamente ele hore lengope leo le tle le ahoe ka mokhoa o batlang o le thata sebakeng sa ho thiba metsi. Monghali Thejane o boetse a etsa khothaletso ho sechaba sa motse oo hore ba emise ho ipha litša pela libaka tse sa sireletsehang tse ka bakang kotsi sebakeng sa maphelo a bona. A boela a toboketsa hore Marena a sebetse ’moho le Bakhethoa ba Puso ea Libaka ka nako eo ba abelang sechaba mobu. Ho ea ka Raliphatlalatso oa MCC Mofumahali Lintle Moerane, Lekhotla le etse hloko taba ea ho phahloha hoa letamo leo.
Sentebale e nehelana ka matlo a bolulo pg 17
A re BTS e hlokometse hore chelete e fuoang bahlanka ba ’muso ha ba nka maeto a eang kantle ho naha, ke letemona le tlisang pherekano e kholo kahar’a bahlanka ba sechaba ho tloha ka Maparamente ho fihlela bahlankeng Makaleng a ’muso. “Ka nepo sepheo sa maeto a joalo ke boithuto ba bahlanka ka linaha tse ling ho latela tšebetso ea bona le mesebetsi e meng ea ’muso molemong oa kholiso ea moruo oa naha ea Lesotho, empa ho bonahala joale maeto ana a bohlokoa a se a eba le tšusumetso esele ho eo a e reretsoeng,” ho boletse Moporofeta Thaanyane. Har’a mehoo eo Moporofeta Thaanyane a buileng ka eona e bile ho lata litsebi tse tla tla sheba bongata ba lirafshoa ka mefuta ea tsona le litjeo tsa tsona kaha tse ling tsa lirafshoa tse teng naheng ena ha se tseo ho ka etsoang merafo sebakeng sa tsona ho latela hore li ea fokola. A bontša hape hore ho tla etsoa Lekhotla le Leholo la Molimo leo ka lona litlolo tsa molao tse kang: bobolu, peto, polao ka morero, bofebe,thobalano pele ho lenyalo le bosodoma (Homosexuality), motho ea li tlotseng o tla ahloleloa lefu. Moporofeta Thaanyane a liella likhala ka ho ipiletsa ho sechaba sa Basotho ho tšehetsa mokha ona ka lichelete kaha a senoletsoe hore motho e mong le e mong ea tla etsa joalo o tla buleloa mamati a likatleho tsohle ’me ea tlang ho nyefola le hona ho hobosa mokha ona o tla fumana likotlo ho tsoa ho Molimo. A tsoela pele ho supa hore Lekhotla le se le entse mekuto ea ho kopana le Lekala la Meru le Mobu kaha ele lona le nang le litsibi sebakeng sa ho thiba litaba tsa khoholeho ea mobu, e kaba ka tšebeliso ea lifate kapa mekhoa e meng e ka sebelisoang sebakeng sa ho thiba mangope. Mokhethoa oa Puso ea Libaka Lekhotleng la Maseru Municipality 10 Mohlomphehi ’Masechaba ’Makong o boletse hore letamo leo le bakileng lengope le baka bothata bo boholo kaha ha pula e na ho bonahala e senya setša seo sa mabitla. A tsoela pele ho supa hore Lekala la Meru le Mobu le etse hloko taba ea sebaka seo ’me ho na le mehato e meholo eo Lekhotla la Motse-Moholo le seng le e fihletse sebakeng sa ho bona hore letamo leo le ea thijoa.
Lekala la Meru le Mobu le tšoarela Bakhethoa thupelo Pg 18