Best of Lesotho Volume1

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MINISTRY OF TOURISM

Best of Lesotho: Volume 1 “These pages capture the best of business, industry and tourism in Lesotho through impressive imagery of the majestic Mountain Kingdom”.

There is an indelible wisdom on the faces of Basotho elders and a bright, brimming hope for the future is evident in the nation’s youth. The influence, tradition and rich culture of the Lesotho Royal Family is an integral part of presenting a complete picture of the Mountain Kingdom and offers insight into where Lesotho has come from, the vision of the country, as well as its beliefs and values.

This compilation of historic imagery and memorable stories in the design of the Best of Series, aptly captures the essence of Lesotho.

Lesotho’s potential for growth in all areas is significant. The country has been blessed with rich natural resources – most notably water and diamonds. ‘Best of Lesotho’ is a visual celebration of Lesotho’s achievements and successes.

It captures the historical journey of this land and offers a glimpse into the country’s future. The incredible unfolding growth of the country is at the core of the pride of the Lesotho nation.

Tlotliso Dube

Lesotho has much to offer potential investors - from its young, motivated and educated labour force; to convenient transport routes; to valuable support from the LNDC (Lesotho National Development Corporation) – as well as substantial tax incentives. In a mutually beneficial way, investment also contributes to the growth of a young and ambitious nation.

Our sincere thanks must go to the participants showcased in our very first edition; representing the ‘Best of’ in their respective fields. We profile these individuals, companies and organisations in a celebration of their success - promoting Lesotho throughout Africa and the world.

‘Best of Lesotho’ documents the country’s achievements and all that Basotho have to be proud of. We showcase these on the world stage, relying on the fact that Lesotho is set to see immense growth in the years to come, as a result of its abundant minerals.

The timeless pages of history of ‘Best of Lesotho’ will forever form a tangible reminder and visual celebration of the melting pot of the ‘Kingdom in the Sky’. Lesotho’s mountain landscape amazes all who witness it. We have attempted to capture this to share with the world.

We thank you and trust that you will enjoy and treasure ‘Best of Lesotho: Volume 1’.

This yearly publication is part of the Global Village World publishing model that now extends across over 45 countries. To complement the readership of our print model we are also present on www.GlobalVillage.world and the www.ProudlyAfrican.info portal where millions of international readers have access to a virtual copy of ‘Best of Lesotho’.

International Group Publisher Sven Boermeester Africa Group Publisher Thapelo Letsholo Lesotho Publishing Partner Tlotliso-Matsela Dube

Thapelo Letsholo

Project Manager & Production Gia Bischofberger GVPedia Communications cc Managing Editor Rebecca Lovett Contributing Editor Janine M Pike Creative Direction Fiona Middleton

Sven Boermeester

All rights reserved: No part of this publication shall be reproduced, copied, transmitted, adapted or modified in any form or by any means. This publication shall not be stored in whole or in part in any form in any retrieval system.

Contact details: GVPedia Communications cc Fax: +27 86 586 1999 Email: gia@gvpedia.com In Partnership with: Proudly African Lesotho Tel: +266 56322368 Fax: 086 614 2396 Email: tlotli@live.com www.ProudlyAfrican.info www.GlobalVillage.world Global Village Partnerships

Webmaster Werner ten Krooden Printing Wizardz Design & Print

Gia Bischofberger

Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in The ‘Best of Lesotho” Vol.1. Neither ‘Best of Lesotho’, Proudly African Lesotho nor GVPedia Communications cc assume any responsibility for errors, omissions nor submissions by participators. The editor reserves the right to amend and alter copy and visual material as deemed necessary.

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Foreword by The Prime Minister of Lesotho, The Right Honourable Dr Pakalitha Mosisili, MP It is with great pleasure and pride that I welcome the publication of “Best of Lesotho” Volume 1.

This impressive “coffee-table” volume, filled with important information of all kinds, including leisure and tourism guidance, historical facts, cultural background and captivating photography, as well as important investment information, depicts just how far Lesotho, The Kingdom in the Sky, has come; and even more important, where we plan to go from here. The Best of series from Proudly African has established itself throughout much of the continent and elsewhere as a pride of many nations.

Lesotho is now proud to join other progressive African nations at investment and tourism events worldwide and on the book shelves of global players in industry, commerce and leisure through this publication.

Lesotho is unique in many ways.

Completely surrounded by our more economically powerful neighbour South Africa, we have managed to retain our independence, unique identity and culture. Tracing our history back to our first King Moshoeshoe I, in his mountain fortress at Thaba-Bosiu (The Mountain at Night) our great Leader King Moshoeshoe I built the Basotho nation out of remnants of different clans

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which had been scattered by war in the early 1800s. We have since witnessed the political landscape change from being a British Protectorate, through to a young constitutional democracy which has retained its monarchy with pride.

Lesotho is endowed with many attributes, the most astounding being its natural beauty and a wealth of natural resources.

Our mountains, rivers, waterfalls and ski resorts draw thousands of leisure and adventure travellers each year. We boast the largest single water transfer project in Africa and have found some of the world’s biggest diamonds!

But our real wealth lies in our people – the resilient, hard-working men and women who are the pride of the Mountain Kingdom. Many entrepreneurs, public servants and renowned artists throughout Southern Africa, were either born or educated in Lesotho. What’s more, we offer potential investors the “pure gold” of a young, literate, motivated and English-speaking workforce. Basotho are ever eager to improve themselves and also bring with them a tradition of manual dexterity. Our weaving industry, for example, has a worldwide reputation.

Lesotho enjoys membership of many

advantageous geographical groupings like SACU (the Southern African Customs Union) and SADC (the Southern African Development Community) both of which constitute populations of approximately 277 million.

Lesotho also enjoys duty-free and quota-free access of her products into the United States, Australia, Canada, European Union, Japan, New Zealand and Turkey. (For finer detail on Lesotho’s Preferential trade status in various parts of the world, please see the section on the LNDC - Lesotho National Development Corporation featured in this publication.) Suffice it to say that multinationals of the status of Phillips, Telefunken, Levi’s, GAP and many other global business players have outsourced some of their production to Lesotho. I would like here to offer my congratulations to the LNDC on the key role they have played and continue to play, in our country’s development.

Since the early 1960s, LNDC has sought, encouraged and fostered direct foreign investment (DFI) in our country with a great deal of success, such that it has been recognised by SADC for their contribution to Lesotho’s economic

progress. The LNDC particularly encourages investment in the following fields: tourism, aquaculture, canoeing and high-altitude facilities, light engineering, ICT and financial services (including the establishment of call centres), environmental and green industries, agroprocessing, construction, mining and quarrying, plant and machinery, aviation and pharmaceuticals to mention but a few. Full details about tax incentives and other benefits to potential investors can be gleaned from the LNDC pages.

Whether you are a businessperson, executive, leisure or adventure traveller or simply interested in our fascinating Mountain Kingdom – I invite you to browse through the vibrant, colourful pages of “Best of Lesotho” that follow.

I have no doubt that you will be left breathless with revelation of our natural beauty; marvel at our achievements both in business and the arts; and get to know our wonderful people better.

We look forward to welcoming you to Lesotho - The Kingdom in the Sky. Dr Pakalitha Mosisili, MP Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Lesotho

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Proudly African Lesotho Boosting Trade, Development and Cultural relations across Africa.

Tlotliso Dube I Best of Lesotho I Associate Partner

As part of Global Village Africa’s Proudly African initiative, Proudly African Lesotho is a marketing and business platform geared towards showcasing and harmonising Lesotho’s development, trade and cultural diversity to a global audience.

This is where the BEST OF LESOTHO will unite business, government and nonprofit organisations, to promote their vision and best practice in order to find the right customers, partnerships and joint ventures - in order to grow alongside Lesotho’s indisputable economic potential.

The Proudly African umbrella has an unstoppable magnetic presence with its ever growing country and sectoral window already in over 20 African states.

We now invite all leaders in business and government across Lesotho to showcase

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and integrate their visions and activities so as to enter into inter-Africa trade, investment and technology transfer from around the globe.

We also invite all Lesotho’s media, trade exhibitions, conferences and business chambers to use the platform to gain mutually beneficial exposure.

Fully unlocking Lesotho’s promise requires greater continent-wide economic integration and inter-trade; such as in Europe, where integration has enabled the continent to become the world’s single biggest market.

Integration and inter-trade is not only urgent, but also indispensable to unlock economies of scale. This could potentially propel Lesotho’s competitiveness in the

global economy, thus aligning Lesotho and the continent with the global flows of trade and finance as an equal partner.

Lesotho’s massive economic potential still lies largely untapped - but not for much longer. The world is coming to Africa and so is the dream of a more united continent. We need to make sure we maximise on the growth for the benefit of all of Africa and its people.

Proudly African - Connecting Minds - Building Communities www.ProudlyAfrican.info www.GlobalVillage.world

CHAPTERS Best of Lesotho

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Icons of Lesotho

Chapter 2

Chapter 1

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Royal Family and Chieftainship

Hotels and Lodges

Chapter 4

Chapter 3

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Travel, Tours and Leisure

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Fashion and Beauty

Chapter 6

Chapter 5

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Arts and Culture

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CHAPTERS Best of Lesotho

Education

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

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Healthcare

Trade and Investment

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

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Corporate Profiles

Financial Services

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

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Insurance

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CHAPTERS Best of Lesotho

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248 Chapter 14

Telecommunications

Chapter 13

Communications Regulation

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Mining and Minerals

Chapter 16

Chapter 15

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Roads Infrastructure, Builders and Contractors

276

Breweries

Chapter 17

LESOTHO

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Lesotho at a Glance The Kingdom of Lesotho is the only independent state in the world lying entirely above 1,000 metres in elevation. It has an altitude of 3,400 metres at its highest, and its lowest point of 1,400 metres is the highest in the world.

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Known as the Mountain Kingdom or The Kingdom in the Sky, Lesotho holds a wealth of memorable vistas of mountains, valleys and rivers. The mountains provide Lesotho’s crystal clear water of renowned clarity.

This water feeds into numerous rivers and hydrates the country’s abundance of green pastures, providing for its livestock. The mountains also yield Lesotho’s other prolific mineral – diamonds.

Lesotho is a democratic, sovereign and independent country which is located in Southern Africa. The name Lesotho translates into “the land of the people who speak Sotho”. Formerly a British protectorate until Independence in October 1966, the Kingdom of Lesotho is one of only three remaining monarchies in Africa.

The country has a land area of approximately 30,355 km², roughly the size of Belgium or Taiwan. Located at the southern tip of Africa, Lesotho is completely outside the tropics and enjoys a cool, temperate climate. Referred to as the “Switzerland of Africa”, it is blessed with a beautiful, often snow-capped range of mountains, the Maloti. The Kingdom’s central position in the heart of Africa’s most developed economy – the Republic of South Africa, is well served by air, rail and road links to all its major centres.

The capital, Maseru, is only 600 kilometres away from South Africa’s busiest harbour, Durban, and is one hour’s drive from Bloemfontein, a judicial and academic centre. It is also only 45 minutes by air or four hours by road from Johannesburg.

Lesotho is home to the largest and most ambitious civil engineering project in the whole of Africa, the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP), which has harnessed and commercialised her upstream surplus water resources – often referred to by Basotho as their “White Gold”.

Lesotho enjoys a high literacy rate at 82% that has been further enhanced by the free primary education program introduced by the government in 2000. There are over 1,200 primary schools in Lesotho placing every child within walking distance to a school.

The economy is divided into three sectors: primary, secondary and tertiary, contributing 12.75%, 29.48% and 57.77% respectively.

The manufacturing sector contributes 17.3% to GDP. HISTORY Evidence of the San’s early inhabitance of Lesotho can be seen today in numerous cave paintings throughout the mountainous kingdom.

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Basutoland was founded in the 1820s by Moshoeshoe I, uniting various Sotho groups who had fled the Zulus.

Moshoeshoe brought his people to the stronghold of Butha-Buthe, and then the mountain of Thaba-Bosiu (about 30 kilometres from Maseru). Still without peace, Moshoeshoe’s territory was being picked off by the trekboers (nomadic pastoralist Dutch, Huguenots and Germans from the Cape), and he approached the British for aid. In 1884, Basutholand became a British Crown Colony.

Lesotho gained Independence from Britain on 4 October 1966. The Basotho National Party ruled by decree until January 1986 when a military coup forced them out of office. The Military Council that came into power granted executive powers to King Moshoeshoe II, who had been a ceremonial monarch. In 1990, however, the King was forced into exile after a falling out with the army. His son was installed as King Letsie III.

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Major General Phisoane Ramaema handed over power to a democratically elected government of the Basotho Congress Party (BCP) in 1993. Moshoeshoe II returned from exile in 1992 as an ordinary citizen. After the return to democratic government, King Letsie III negotiated to have his father re-instated as head of state.

The King abdicated in favour of his father in 1995, but Moshoeshoe II died in a car accident in 1996 and was again succeeded by his son, Letsie III. The ruling BCP split over leadership disputes in 1997.

The Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD) was formed by Prime Minister Ntsu Mokhehle, backed by a majority of members of parliament, enabling him to form a new government. The LCD won the general elections in 1998 under the leadership of Pakalitha Mosisili, who had succeeded Mokhehle as party leader.

Opposition parties rejected the results and protests in the country intensified.

After a military mutiny, a SADC task force

intervened to prevent a coup and restore stability.

An Interim Political Authority (IPA) was created in December 1998 to review the electoral structure in the country. The IPA created a proportional electoral system, ensuring opposition in the National Assembly.

Elections were held under this new system in May 2002 and the LCD won again.

Opposition parties won a significant number of seats. The February 2007 elections resulted in another LCD victory. The National Independent Party (NIP) formed an “informal alliance” with the LCD, leading to its share of 21, the largest of any minority party.

The 2007 elections remained a point of debate for years. The Christian Council of Lesotho (CCL) started to mediate in 2009. In early 2011, in a major breakthrough, the CCL assisted by the UN Development Program (UNDP), held a meeting where all parties agreed on amendments to the proposed electoral bill – to use a single ballot system in future elections.

In February 2012, the Prime Minister and 44 supporters abandoned the LCD but remained in power with a new party, the Democratic Congress (DC). General elections were held in Lesotho on 26 May 2012. The incumbent Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili’s DC won a majority of single-member seats. However, they only had a plurality in the overall tally and the election was inconclusive. Lesotho’s opposition parties then formed a coalition government.

The leader of the All Basotho Convention, Motsoahae Thomas Thabane reached an agreement with the Lesotho Congress for Democracy and two smaller parties to form a vast majority in parliament, making Thabane the new Prime Minister of Lesotho.

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS The Lesotho Government is a constitutional monarchy. The Prime Minister is head of government and has executive authority.

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The King serves a largely ceremonial function and does not actively participate in political initiatives.

The upper house of parliament (the Senate) is composed of 22 principal chiefs whose membership is hereditary, along with 11 other members appointed by the ruling party. The constitution provides for an independent judicial system. The judiciary is made up of the Court of Appeal, the High Court, Magistrate’s Courts, and traditional courts that exist predominately in rural areas. Judges make rulings under peer observation.

The constitution protects basic civil liberties, including freedom of speech, association, and the press; freedom of peaceful assembly; and freedom of religion.

Lesotho is divided into 10 districts, each headed by a district administrator.

Lesotho held its first post-independence local government elections in 2005 using a quota system that reserved one-third of electoral divisions for women candidates.

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Locally-elected officials attended postelection training while the National Assembly created regulations for local governance and the Ministry of Local Government built supporting infrastructure.

ECONOMY Lesotho’s strength as an investment destination lies in her investment security, incentives, scenic beauty and rich cultural traditions.

Lesotho occupies a unique geographical position. The country is situated centrally within Southern Africa and with good access to some of the fastest growing industrial and economic areas in the region, such as South Africa’s Johannesburg, Pretoria and Bloemfontein. It is also within reasonable proximity to the international ports such as Durban and Cape Town.

Combined with the efforts of the Government of Lesotho to create a good enabling environment for business, this

Interesting fact: Lesotho is the southernmost landlocked country in the world and entirely surrounded by South Africa.

makes the country an attractive destination for foreign investment.

A variety of unique investment opportunities are available in Lesotho and a range of useful services are offered by the Lesotho Tourism Development Corporation (LTDC) to potential investors wishing to set up tourism enterprises in Lesotho.

Investment opportunities include: • Accommodation facilities and resort developments; • Tour operating and tour guiding; • Boating excursions on dams, canoeing and other water-related recreational activities; • Ski-resorts, equipment and related services; • High altitude sports training facilities.

The LTDC provides professional services to investors both before and after investment, assists the foreign investor to obtain clearances (residence permits, work permits, licences etc.) and provides investment advice.

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Lesotho is a signatory to the Convention on the Settlement of Investment Disputes between states and is a member of the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency. As a member of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Lesotho has accepted the obligations of the Articles of Agreement, which gives confidence to the international community in its pursuit of sound economic policies; creating an unrestrictive multilateral payments system.

For investors, Lesotho offers a highly competitive environment that is conducive to productivity.

The current investor package includes the following: • A stable social and political environment that is investor friendly, with a free enterprise and free market economic system forming the basis for sustained development and growth.

• An abundant labour force that is predominantly English speaking, literate and well-motivated, with high

productivity and competitive wage rates. • Loan guarantees, with long-term loans and/or equity participation in strategic projects. • Declining water and electricity tariffs as a direct spin-off from the Lesotho Highlands Water Project.

A favourable fiscal and financial environment has been created to promote an attractive investment climate in Lesotho with enticing tax rates.

Other opportunities Tourism development opportunities include: Development of heliports to take advantage of the panorama of the Maloti Mountains; parachuting and hot-air ballooning; adventure film locations; development of traditional arts, crafts, pottery and wool/mohair products; business and information call centres; conferencing getaway venues; and the establishment of golf estates.

Tourism Lesotho offers natural beauty, rugged terrain, rich local culture and traditions, and a permit-free playground for the more intrepid adventurer. Accommodation can be found in all regions of Lesotho – some serenely situated on river banks, some on mountainsides, and some at the highest altitude in Southern Africa, totally surrounded by beautiful mountains and a peaceful environment.

Lesotho is a land of heights and extremes offering breath-taking mountain vistas and adventure activities such as skiing, pony trekking, hiking and abseiling for the intrepid traveller. More leisurely pursuits for those seeking a relaxing and revitalising break include bird-watching, boating and fishing.

Water Resources When the thunderstorms erupt over the Maloti Mountains, even the smallest stream can rapidly become a raging torrent. In

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winter, the melting ice and snow trickle into freezing, clear streams.

The Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) is a multi-billion Maloti bi-national water resources development and management initiative. It was established by a treaty signed between the governments of Lesotho and South Africa in 1986, as a priority and strategy to reduce poverty, stimulate economic growth and improve the livelihoods of the people of the two countries.

The aim of the LHWP is to harness the water of Lesotho, constructing massive dam walls, diverting the flow and transferring water to South Africa to meet the industrial and domestic water needs of the Gauteng Province, while simultaneously providing hydropower for Lesotho.

Since the completion of the first phase of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, this water is transferred by gravity to South Africa, forging a long-term partnership between Lesotho and South Africa.

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Useful Sesotho Phrases: Hello – Lumela How are you? – U phela joang?

I am fine – Ke phela hantle What is your name? – Lebitso la hau u mang?

My name is – Lebitso la ka ke May I have some water? – Ke kopa metsi?

Help – Ke kopa thusa May I? – Ke kopa?

Toilet – Ntloana I am sorry – Ke kopa ts’oarelo What is the price? – Ke bokae?

Where do you come from? – U tsoa kae?

I come from – Ke tsoa May I have food? – Ke kopa lijo?

Chicken – Nama ea khoho Beef – Nama ea khomo Pork – Nama ea kolobe Mutton – Nama ea nku Potatoes – Litapole Vegetables – Meroho Milk – Lebese Eggs – Mahe

Stay well – Sala hantle (Salang hantle – plural) Goodbye – Tsamaea hantle (Tsamaeang hantle – plural) Thank you – Kea leboha Sources: www.golesotho.co.za visitlesotho.travel www.ltdc.org www.gov.ls www.seelesotho.com

Future Visions Lesotho Lesotho is an ancient mountainous land with minerals and majestic natural formations as old as time. But it is also a nation looking ahead to a bright future, and striving to drive forward from a dormant past.

One of its greatest attributes is its democracy which also lies at the heart of the treasured monarchy. This sovereign and independent Southern African country radiates a warmth which will help illuminate their path to economic prosperity.

Since independence from Britain in October 1966, the minute Kingdom of Lesotho has embarked on a road to change through the introduction of numerous development projects.

One such project of noteworthy mention is the ambitious Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP). This civil engineering masterpiece will harness the upstream surplus water resources for commercial use.

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With limited funding and starting with little infrastructure, the process has been a long-term vision. With so many positive attributes, an abundance of resources, as well as an ideal location cradled in the heart of Africa’s most developed economy - the Republic of South Africa, Lesotho has the makings of a rising nation.

It is well served by air, rail and road links to all its major centres, which is an important factor in future infrastructure development projects and potential investment.

Another major aspect of Lesotho’s character is the high literacy rate. Education programs are key drivers of the future visions of the Mountain Kingdom.

Development Strategy The Government of Lesotho has adopted a private sector driven economic development and an export-led industrial growth strategy.

An essential part of the economy is an industry that comprises diamond mining and quarrying, construction, manufacturing of textiles, garments and footwear, assembly of electronics and electrical appliances, trout breeding and fishing, water bottling and food processing.

Lesotho’s trade and investment framework provides for a duty-free and concessionary access of Lesotho-made products into the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), Southern African Development Community

(SADC), the US under Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), and to the EU under the SADC Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).

Industries Lesotho’s main exports to these markets comprise crude materials (diamonds, wool and mohair), manufactured goods (garments, electronics and electrical appliances, footwear) and water (under the Lesotho Highlands Water Project).

One of the first initiatives undertaken by government after Independence in 1966 was the formation of the Lesotho National Development Corporation (LNDC) and the Lesotho Tourism Development Corporation (LTDC) in 2002. Both institutions are government’s aim to encourage investment and to assist in the development of tourism, commerce and industry.

The key responsibility of the LNDC is to contribute to national economic growth and development by promoting Lesotho as an attractive and a preferred investment location to both foreign and local investors.

LNDC offers a wide range of investment supportive services. These include serviced industrial sites; factory buildings; business support services; aftercare services; financial assistance to support joint ventures with local investors; and where possible, limited equity participation in projects considered to be of strategic importance to the economy.

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The LTDC deals with identification and promotion of investment opportunities in the tourism sector. The Corporation also plays an advisory role to the private sector and tourism programs in collaboration with tourism organisations.

The LNDC and LTDC together with the Government and the business community of Lesotho are constantly promoting investments that combine natural resources with the existing skills.

An example of this synergy is Lesotho’s wool and mohair production including jerseys, scarves, blankets and tapestries.

A lucrative investment opportunity exists in the establishment of a vertically integrated industry that can process the abundant wool and mohair to the more value-added stage of yarn.

As is the case with many emerging economies, a substantial amount of capital has been channelled into labour intensive activities such as clothing, footwear, tourism, and electronics assembly. While Lesotho is very strong in these labour intensive activities with special reference to the clothing and textiles sector, investment opportunities exist in other activities such as: • Garment industry integration (knitted fabric mill, accessories and packaging materials); • Automotive components; • Leather and footwear; • Assembly of consumer electrical and electronic appliances;

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• Food processing and water bottling; • Mining – resource based projects e.g. sandstone, ceramic ware and brick making; • Renewable energy and environmental projects such as water recycling and solid waste management; • Pharmaceuticals; and • Infrastructure development.

Investments in these priority sectors are supported by a healthy government administered incentive package including: • A 0% tax on income generated from exporting manufactured goods outside of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU); • A permanent maximum manufacturing tax rate of 10% on profits; • Training subsidy allowable at 125% for tax purposes; and • No withholding tax on dividends distributed by manufacturing firms to local or foreign shareholders.

Vision 2020 In 2000 the country took a policy decision to formulate a vision to provide a long-term perspective within which national short to medium-term plans could be formulated.

The specific objectives of the Lesotho Vision 2020 are to: establish a long-term vision for Lesotho by looking beyond the short-term plans and adjustments; explore the options for economic, political and human development to the year 2020;

identify alternative development strategies suitable for the Lesotho situation; promote a process of open dialogue and consultation with socio-economic groups countrywide; create an environment whereby Basotho will actively participate in achieving the Vision 2020; and, develop a focus along the horizon in the direction of which development plans could be rolled out.

Lesotho’s Vision 2020 document identifies seven pillars of development. These are democracy, unity, peace, education and training, economic growth, management of the environment, and advancement in technology. With a new government and numerous exciting development projects in the pipeline, Lesotho is setting its own development agenda, which looks sure to see the country rise up to new heights.

For more information contact: Lesotho National Development Corporation Block A, Development House Kingsway Street, Maseru, Lesotho Private Bag A96, Maseru 100, Lesotho Tel: +266 22 312 012 Fax: +266 22 310 038 Email: info@lndc.org.ls www.lndc.org.ls YOUR STRATEGIC PARTNER IN INVESTMENT

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Lesotho’s Parliament Building

Maseru Lesotho’s bustling capital is growing by the day.

The capital of Lesotho as well as of the Maseru district, the city of Maseru sprawls near the country’s western border, on the Caledon river.

Maseru lies in a shallow valley at the foot of the Hlabeng-Sa-Likhama – the foothills of the Maloti Mountains.

On the western side is a mix of modern corporate buildings, restaurants and quaint tourist attractions. The city’s ambience becomes more spontaneous and lively as you travel east, and reflects the rapid growth and urbanisation characteristic of many African cities.

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History It’s name meaning “Place of Red Sandstone”, Maseru was founded as a small police camp in 1869 following the conclusion of the Free State-Basotho Wars when Basutoland became a British protectorate. The camp was located 24 kilometres west of King Moshoeshoe’s stronghold at Thaba-Bosiu – the previous de facto capital. A busy market town soon grew around the area.

In 1884, following the Gun War and the burning of many buildings in Maseru, Basutoland was restored its status as a

Crown colony, and Maseru was again made capital. It remained so when Basutoland gained Independence and became the Kingdom of Lesotho in 1966.

Prior to Independence Maseru remained relatively small; it was contained within well-defined colonial boundaries and had little room to grow, but after 1966 the city underwent rapid expansion; its area increased around sevenfold – from around 20 square kilometers to its current area of 138 sq. km. – due to the incorporation of nearby peri-urban villages to the city proper.

Demographics Maseru’s population currently stands at over 225,000 – or around one-tenth of the population of Lesotho. The population stood at 28,000 at the 1966 census, and 110,000 at the 1986 census – demonstrating the rapid expansion of the city postindependence.

Economy Maseru’s positioning on Lesotho’s north/ western border with Lesotho facilitates access both to the major harbour of Durban as well as the academic and judicial centres of Bloemfontein.

Johannesburg, South Africa’s business and industrial hub, is only an hour’s flight away.

Maseru’s commercial life is centred around two neighbouring business districts which have developed around Kingsway (the main thoroughfare) and serve as major centres of employment – one formal and one more informal, as outlined above.

Maseru’s economy is growing very rapidly particularly in terms of foreign investment and tourism, notably since Independence and once again after 1998 when political violence broke out.

Maseru’s industry is split into two main areas: The northern sector along Moshoeshoe Road is host to flour mills and other major companies; the southern sector (Thetsane district) houses mainly textile and footwear companies.

Architecture Most of Maseru’s traditional thatched-roof rondavels have long been replaced by modern housing and office blocks – some of which are designed with a hint of traditional architecture.

New buildings in the city centre include the LNDC building and the new Ministry of Health building, completed in late 2007.

Buildings destroyed in the 1998 political uprising have been rebuilt and retail tenants include Fruit & Veg City, Woolworths and Mr Price. The new Lehakoe National Sports Centre, situated between the central Bank of Lesotho and the colonial parliament building is equipped with tennis courts, swimming pools, conference centres, bars and gymnasiums.

In November 2009 Pioneer Mall opened, offering residents and tourists alike all the facilities of a modern shopping mall including a four-screen cinema, restaurants and a choice of popular and exclusive stores.

There remain some colonial era buildings around the city centre, most notably the Cathedral of Our Lady of Victories and the Anglican St. John’s Church. Other buildings of interest include the Royal Palace, Parliament Building, and State House.

Tourism and Culture Maseru offers visitors six major hotels – two of which, the AVANI Lesotho Hotel & Casino and AVANI Maseru, have casinos.

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The Basotho Hat curio/souvenir shop at the entrance to the city is a popular stop for tourists.

Most of Lesotho’s main tourist attractions: Lancer’s Gap, Sani Pass, the Afriski resort, Katse Dam, Thaba-Bosiu and the Maloti Mountains are located a short distance from the capital. However – terrain is rugged so distances in Lesotho can be deceptive.

Those seeking cultural enrichment and to experience Basotho history and culture should take a trip to Morija Museum & Archives – particularly at the time of the annual Morija Festival. Morija is around a one-hour drive from Maseru.

Sports Lesotho’s national stadium, the mulitpurpose Setsoto Stadium, is located in Maseru: Capacity between 20,000 and 25,000 people. The stadium houses the national football team and is used for football matches – but also holds events in athletics.

Notably successful Maseru-based football teams include Matlama FC and the Royal Lesotho Defence Force team.

Tours operating from Maseru Whether your interests lie in majestic scenery, history, handicrafts or arts and culture, a variety of tours will take you from Maseru to places of interest, giving you lasting memories of Lesotho and all it has to offer: Maseru - Teyateyaneng - Kome: 94km (Historical Handicraft) Travel along the Berea Plateau, venue of the Moshoeshoe I versus Cathcart battle of 1852. View Prophet Matita’s grave at Bethania. Cross the Seqonoka River and find Matooane’s Fortress. Senyotong, on the right hand side (presently Ha Souru).

Then make a stop at Teyateyaneng to see the gallery: Hatooa-Mose-Mosali, Jelang Basali, Setsoto Design and Ellelloang Basali

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Maseru - Matsieng - Morija: 44km (Historical) This tour passes through Thota-ea-Moli, which is the former seat of Traditional Basotho Parliament at Fika le Mohala.

Moshoeshoe I International Airport is also in this area. Then visit Matsieng, the King’s country home and Chief Letsie’s old village, with all its relics, followed by a walk along the slopes to follow dinosaur tracks. Then on to Morija, which is a largely unaltered village the oldest in Lesotho. The village was built in 1843.

Maseru - Semonkong: 113km (Scenic) This tour passes through the first and second ranges of the Maloti where their unforgettable outlook gave Lesotho its famous tag “The Mountain Kingdom”.

Herdboys’ shelters within the wilderness can be seen by the wayside. The climax of this tour is the inspiring ‘Maletsunyane Waterfalls, which is one of the highest in the Southern Hemisphere at 192m.

Maseru - Morija - Malealea: 80km (Historical Scenic) The tour passes through the historically important Thota-ea-Moli (Fika-le-Mohala) and Moshoeshoe I International Airport, Morija and Ecumenical Centre (Mophato oa Morija).

Take the left fork from the main road at Motsekuoa, then turn right at Ha Makhakhe towords the Malealea Lodge offers pony

Photo: www.lestimes.com

Handicrafts. Join the route to Ha Matjotjo the famous cannibals’ hideout of Malimong can be located near Ha Matjotjo.

Bokhopo Mountain can be viewed, where a band of cannibals under Rakotsoane waylaid people in the 19th century. Taking a turn towards Pulane, is the impressive and somewhat mysterious village of Kome. It’s situated under a rock overhang, and was built around 1842. This unusual village is definitely worth a visit.

rides and hikes to the nearest Bots’oela Falls, rock pools and Bushmen Rock Paintings in the Pitseng River gorge.

Maseru - Molimo Nthuse - Mohale Dam: 83km (Scenic, Pony Trekking) This tour takes you beyond the first range of Maloti and on to the foot of Thaba-Putsoa (Blue Mountain Range). The panoramic views of the majestic Blue Mountain is an unforgettable sight, with undulating mountains in the green, grassy slopes and gorges. Arrangements can be made at the Basotho Pony Project for an exciting pony trekking excursion. Driving further on, one reaches the Mohale Dam, which was constructed on Senqu River.

Sources: Wikipedia Visitlesotho.travel

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Lesotho Highlands Water Project Developing a Country - Not a Dam.

The Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) is an ongoing water supply and hydropower project of the governments of Lesotho and South Africa, and is Africa’s largest water transfer project. The first treaty between the two countries for the transfer of water was signed in 1986. It includes a system of several large dams and tunnels throughout both countries.

The Lesotho component involves the rivers Malibamatso, Matsoku, Senqunyane and Senqu. In South Africa, it involves the Vaal River.

The project’s aims are to provide jobs and income for Lesotho, as well as

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hydroelectric power, in exchange for water to Gauteng, South Africa’s industrial and mining hub.

The Vision In the aftermath of the global economic meltdown and the mainstreaming of concepts like global warming and climate change, it is becoming increasingly evident that economic growth and prosperity going forward will be built on very different fundamentals. International money is following scarce resources (i.e. water), “green” industry and energy, and easy access to labour.

This shift in investment favours Africa.

Funding for projects that offer spatial development opportunities and open up corridors for trade are far more likely to attract favourable, global funding.

The development of an integrated “Special Economic Zone” (SEZ) would offer Lesotho the opportunity to become a part of this global movement.

First phases The first phase of the project was reached on the completion of Katse Dam in 1998.

The Katse dam is a concrete arch dam across the Malibamatso River. Although the

Katse dam has power generation capability for local use, the primary purpose is as the storage basin for Phase 1A and provides discharge into the transfer tunnel.

Phase 1B of the project was completed in 2002 with the construction of the Mohale dam, a very large rock-fill dam, located on the Senqunyane River. The system is interconnected in such a way that water may be transferred in either direction for storage in Mohale or ultimate transfer to South Africa through the Katse reservoir.

Dam-Hydro-Special Economic Zone Experts warned at NEDLAC that South

Africa’s, and in particular Gauteng’s, future water security is only assured until 2018.

MK Malefane, heading up the Polihali Consortium proposal, believes the only solution for the delivery of Lesotho Polihali Phase 2 Dam is on a turnkey financedesign-build basis with a consortium team. The consortium needs to have the capability and resources to undertake such construction and delivery of water to Gauteng by the deadline 2018. Due to the sensitive nature of land-ownership with traditional leaders, community membership in the consortium is imperative in preventing further delays as experienced in Phase 1.

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The Polihali Consortium proposes a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Project that already has a growing number of South African and international manufacturers registered to invest. The Project is supported by the new roads being built linking the Phase 2-SEZ with the Durban sea-port. Incorporated in the SEZ plans to benefit from the Phase 2 infrastructure is the development of a tourist resort city.

This approximate R20-billion Phase 2 Dam-Hydro-SEZ development initiative is set to be the model and driving force for the new SACU industrial diversification program that will be implemented in the rest of the member

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countries of Swaziland, Botswana, and Namibia with support from member South Africa. This solution ensures sustainable economic development activity and job creation amongst the member countries.

The Project is set to become one of the key catalysts for delivery of over 100,000 jobs particularly in Lesotho and South Africa.

Malefane maintains there are two key imperatives in Phase 2: that there needs to be a final turnkey solution accepted by the end of 2012 and that major economic development for Lesotho needs to be generated from an infrastructure project this size. In a project of this size which includes

over 47 kilometres of tunnelling, it is vital that the usual tendering processes in this case, which could delay the processing and awarding of the + 400 main and subcontracts resulting in delivery of water to Gauteng way beyond the 2018 water security threshold, need to be abandoned.

It is therefore in the best interests of South Africa particularly for political and social stability. By offering a turnkey solution in 2012 for Phase 2 of LHWP, the impending catastrophic COSATU-led labour and public reaction when taps start running dry will be prevented. It will also ensure South Africa maintains its current growth path and

employment vision, while Lesotho can also progress on its recovery path.

For Lesotho, Polihali Consortium’s committed strategy is to mobilise South African and foreign investment for the realisation of broader poverty reduction, job creation and economic development as a key offset offering of the turnkey solution.

Polihali Investment & Development Consortium Johannesburg, South Africa Cell: +27 83 982 0658 Fax: +27 86 513 0819 Email: mkmalefane@gmail.com

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CHAPTER 1 Royal Family and Chieftainship

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Lesotho Royal Family During Lifaqane, Moshoeshoe the Great united numerous clans and cannibal bands under him to found the Basotho Nation. As a young man, his father had taken him to Mohlomi to learn leadership skills and the philosophy of leadership. Mohlomi taught him that wisdom and power do not stem from a potion but depend on clarity of mind, goodness of heart and service to one’s fellow men.

On his first meeting with Moshoeshoe in June 1833 Eugene Casalis wrote: “I found myself in the presence of a man of superior personality accustomed to think, to command others, and above all to control himself.”

Chronology C.1786: Moshoeshoe born at ‘Mate, Menkhoaneng. Son of Chief Mokhachane.

Named Lepoqo at birth.

C. 1805: Initiation. Named himself Letlama at his initiation – Matlama also came to be known by the name of ‘Tlaputle’.

C. 1809: Assumes name Moshoeshoe.

C. 1810: Married Mabela daughter of Bafokeng Chief Seepheephe.

C. 1811: Birth of his first son, Mohato.

C. 1819: Moved to Qhobosheane, ButhaButhe.

1824: Moved to Thaba-Bosiu with his followers.

1829: Moshoeshoe’s people began to call themselves Basotho and their domain Lesotho.

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12-3-1868: British Crown accepts Basotho as British subjects, and their territory as British territory.

12 March is recognised, in Lesotho, as a day on which Moshoeshoe I’s diplomacy won British protection from Orange Free State Boers’ aggression and destruction.

11-3-1870: Moshoeshoe I’s death.

In recognition of this, the day has come to be known as Moshoeshoe’s day, and it is used to celebrate great men and their great deeds in the history of Lesotho and the Basotho Nation.

We glance at the Lesotho chieftanship – it’s essence, functions and succession.

Moshoeshoe’s senior children were Letsie, Molapo, Masupha, Majara and their sister, Mathe.

Letsie I’s children were Senate, Lerotholi, Bereng and Theko and many others. ~ Lerotholi’s children were Letsabisa, Letsi II and Griffiths and many others.

Griffiths’s children were Makopoi, Seeiso and Bereng and many others.

~ Seeiso’s senior children were Ntsebo, Bereng (King Moshoeshoe II) Leshoboro and many others.

Moshoeshoe II’s children are Mohato (King Letsie III), Seeiso and their sister, Ma-seeiso.

Letsie III’s children are Senate, Maseeiso and their brother, Lerotholi.

The Three Chiefs that united us – The Making of the Basotho Nation The history of growth and amalgamation of different African Clans of Southern Africa, who united to form the present Basotho Nation around 1822, starts on the hills of Butha-Buthe camp, near the present police post.

It was here that Moshoeshoe, the leader of Bamokoteli, approached Lethole, who was the Chief of Makhoakhoa and suggested an alliance of their two chiefdoms. The two chiefs’ aim was to unite in the face of wars and conflicts in which stronger chiefdoms were conquering and subjugating smaller ones.

Moshoeshoe proposed that Lethole should lead the alliance because he said Lethole had more followers. But Lethole declined the offer, and pointed

out that, Moshoeshoe had become such an important political force in this part of the country that the wisest step was to have him lead the alliance. Besides, Lethole, had just arrived at Butha-Buthe from ‘M’akalane, near the present town Bethlehem, in the Orange Free State, and felt that he did not have any claim to the land, which, in his belief, belonged to Moshoeshoe. Moshoeshoe became leader of the alliance.

Although the Makhoakhoa accepted the arrangement, one of Lethole’s brothers, Ramotjamane, despised it and consequently conspired with Sepheka of the Matebele, to assassinate Chief Lethole.

The Makhoakhoa Chief, together with his two wives, ‘M’a-Matela and ‘M’a-Hlatsoane

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and one of his sons, Lekopa were killed by these conspirators.

After Lethole’s death Moshoeshoe asked Makhoakhoa to send him the two sons of his late friend for protection and leadership training. The two boys whose mothers were also killed together with Lethole were Matela and Hlatsoane.

Upon reaching manhood the two orphans were returned to their home from ThabaBosiu to lead their father’s people.

Back at Makhoakhoeng Chief Matela married and had his first son, Letsika.

Letsika begot Matela II. Matela’s son Thaabe, is the father of Chief Tumane, of Makhoakhoa.

After his meeting with Lethole, Moshoeshoe met Chief Moletsane of

Bataung at Mekoatleng. The meeting resulted in Moletsane placing himself and his people under Moshoeshoe’s rule.

Another group, Batlokoa of Sekonyela repeatedly waged war against Moshoeshoe, and his people but their efforts never met success.

Instead, Moshoeshoe routed them from Joala-Boholo near the present St. Monica’s where they had settled. Sekonyela and his people fled to Mount Fletcher where he died years later.

During the Gun War, between Basotho and the Cape Colonial Government, 1880-1881, Sekonyela’s grandson, Lelingoana killed a white Magistrate, cut off his head and took it to Letsie, the then Paramount Chief. Letsie rewarded him by

giving him a portion of the land to rule in present Mokhotlong.

This was an act of allegiance and co-operation to Letsie as the Basotho were fighting against the confiscation of their guns, by the British.

Thus today, among others, the nation comprises the people of Moshoeshoe and other branches of Bakoena, Makhoakhoa of Lethole, Bataung of Moletsane, Bafokeng, Bahlakoana, Batloung, Baphuthi of Moorosi, Batlokoa of Sekonyela, AmaXhosa- and Ama-Zulu-speaking groups in the South and Northeast of Lesotho, and people of Indian ethnic origins who arrived in Lesotho in the 1890s. Together, these groups and others form the present Basotho Nation.

Chieftainship Chieftainship in Lesotho has a very long tradition and is deeply rooted in the life of the Basotho people. As a governance institution it has passed through many trials of change since the days of Moshoeshoe the Great in the early 19th Century, but still retains some of its functions.

Because of the modern style of living, changes in the functions of chiefs have been introduced and a workable political compromise has been established whereby the chiefs still exercise some of their powers over the people in their areas of jurisdiction under the direction of His Majesty’s Government.

Hence we find that today all chieftainship affairs are handled and dealt with by the Ministry of Local Government, and Chieftainship (MoLGC). And in this instance, the Minister of MoLGC may advise His Majesty the King on all matters pertaining to chieftainship affairs.

For administrative purposes, Lesotho is divided into 24 Wards under 22 Principal Chiefs and two Ward Chiefs. The two Ward Chiefs are the Chiefs of Thaba-Tsóeu and Likueneng.

Under these Chiefs are many lesser Chiefs and headmen with their varied ranks and powers of jurisdiction. All the Chiefs are expected to assist His Majesty’s Government in maintaining the laws of the State. They must also follow directives related to their duties from His Majesty’s Government.

Any Chief may receive instructions from another Chief immediately above him or any of the different Government departments which guide and advise Chiefs in the performance of their various duties.

Chiefs work closely with government ministries. For instance, the Ministry of Agriculture may give advice to a Chief on the use and allocation of land and preservation of pastures. A Chief plays the part of a policeman in Lesotho. His duty is to keep the peace and order in his area; and he is to discharge his duties impartially and according to the law.

In matters of Public Works they must explain to the people the importance and the benefits of projects undertaken in the area.

For example, where construction of a new road will affect the fields of the villagers it is the duty of the chief to explain to the people the Ministry’s intention and benefits accruing to the people.

They also take note of and report on all desperate cases of poverty, blindness and serious physical disabilities to the appropriate authority of the Government.

Hence a Chief will always intervene in matters which may endanger peace amongst his people.

The role of the chief in education cannot be ignored. They are members of District Advisory Boards on Education; and it lies within their power to allocate sites for school buildings taking into account all the factors that may hamper the smooth running of the schools.

This is but to mention a few of the many duties of the Chiefs to whose sense of leadership the continued existence of traditional Chieftainship is attributable.

The Reign of Chieftainess ‘Mantsébo Amelia Seeiso (1940–1960)

The only female Paramount Chief to ever determine gender implications of rule and governance in the country.

Mofumahali ‘M’antsebo Amelia Seeiso (1902-1964) was the first wife of Paramount Chief Seeiso who ruled for only 18 months before his death in 1940. She became the first female Paramount Chief of Basutoland when she was named by Sons of Moshoeshoe to act as regent for her stepson, Bereng, who was only two years old when his father died. The Colonial government accepted her appointment which was, however, contested by her husband’s brother who took her to court.

The High Court confirmed her as regent in a special session in 1943 and she ruled until Bereng (Moshoeshoe II) was installed as Paramount Chief in 1960. Chieftainness ‘Mantsébo died in 1964.

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Did you know?

• That the first history book of Moshoeshoe was written in 1857, by J.M. Orpen?

• That the guiding spirit and incisive influence in the reign of Moshoeshoe I was his contact with Chief Mohlomi?

• That Moshoeshoe died on Friday, 11th of March, 1870?

• That Lethole refused to accept Moshoeshoe’s suggestion that he should lead the Basotho?

• That Moshoeshoe was told by Mohlomi that wisdom and power do not stem from potion, but depend on clarity of mind, goodness of heart and service to one’s fellow men?

• That Mrs. Helen Suzman1, a former South African Member of Parliament, delivered the first Moshoeshoe Day Memorial Lecture published by her and the Ministry of Education in 1972?

• That Moshoeshoe received a case of guns from his friend, Emperor Napoleon III of France, just before he died in 1870?

• That Moshoeshoe reigned longer than any of the Paramount Chiefs of Lesotho (over 40 years)?

• That Lesotho became a British Protectorate on the 12th March 1868?

• That Moshoeshoe’s diplomacy showed itself when he fed his starving enemies who had come to attack him at ThabaBosiu?

• Moshoeshoe was succeeded by Letsie I as the Paramount Chief of Lesotho in 1870?

• That ‘Likhoba’ was a term applied to people who did not attend the installation of Paramount Chief Seeiso Griffith? And these people were fined £1 by a roving court.

1

Moshoeshoe, the Statesman: Given in inauguration of the Moshoeshoe Memorial Lecture Series on 13th March 1972, at the Catholic Community Centre, Maseru, Lesotho.

Volume 1 of Moshoeshoe Memorial Lecture. Ministry Of Education Publication.

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King Moshoeshoe I – The Great Unifier High up on the windswept crest of his mountain fortress - Thaba-Bosiu - lies the grave of King Moshoeshoe I, original founder of what is today the sovereign nation of Lesotho, and unifier of many clans straddling its borders.

Early life The first son of Mokhachane, a minor chief of the Bamokoteli lineage – a branch of the Koena (Crocodile) clan, Moshoeshoe showed bravery at an early age, capturing several herds in a cattle raid against neigbouring chief Ramonaheng. Tradition decreed that he then composed a praise poem in his own honour in which he referred to himself as “a razor which has shaved all Ramonaheng’s beards.”

In Sesotho, a razor is said to make a “Shwe-Shwe…” sound. After that he was affectionately known as Moshoeshoe: The Shaver!

While still very young, Moshoeshoe also helped his father subdue some other smaller clans – and at the age of 34 he

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formed his own clan and became a chief, settling with his followers at the mountain fortress of Butha-Buthe.

Moshoeshoe and his entourage, mostly the BaKoena (Crocodile) Bamokoteli, some Bafokeng from his maternal side as well as some of the Amazizi, established his stronghold at Butha-Buthe – where his settlement and reign coincided with the expanding empire of the well-known Zulu King, Shaka.

During the Lifaqane or Time of Troubles during the early 19th Century, Shaka raided many smaller chiefdoms along the eastern coast of Southern Africa (today Kwa-Zulu Natal) – incorporating parts of them into his steadily growing Zulu chiefdom and causing others to flee.

An era of great “Wars of Calamity” followed – marked by aggression against the Sotho people by the invading Nguni clans.

The attacks forced Moshoeshoe to move his settlement to the Qiloane plateau. Its name was later changed to Thaba-Bosiu or “The Mountain at Night” because it was believed to grow during the night and shrink during the day – this belief seeded by Moshoeshoe and his followers! The mountain indeed proved to be an impassable fortress against invaders.

Moshoeshoe the Unifier Moshoeshoe subdued many clans but his most significant role as a diplomat was his acts of friendship and protection towards his beaten enemies. This strengthened the growing

however, that they remained in peace with my people and recognised my authority.”

This proved too generous and the next 30 years were marked by conflicts.

Wars with Boers and British Following a joint defeat of the Boers in 1848 and a defeat of a British force by the Sotho army at Kolonyama in 1852 – as well as a final defeat of the Tloka in 1853 – Moshoeshoe reigned supreme.

However, the British pulled out of the region in 1854, leaving in their wake two independent states: the Boer Orange Free State and the Sotho Kingdom.

Despite defeating the Boers in the Free State-Basotho War in 1858, by 1865 Moshoeshoe had lost a great portion of the western lowlands. The last war in 1867 ended only when the British and Moshoeshoe appealed to Queen Victoria, who agreed to make Basutoland a British protectorate in 1868.

In 1869, the British signed a treaty at Aliwal with the Boers. It defined the boundaries of Basutoland and later Lesotho; those boundaries have not changed.

Basotho nation. His influence and followers grew with the integration of numbers of refugees and victims of the Lifaqane.

By the end of the 19th Century, Moshoeshoe had established the nation of the Basotho in what came to be known as Basutoland.

He became known as ‘Morena e Moholo’ or ‘Morena oa Basotho’ – Great King, or King of the Basotho.

With the arrival of Dutch settlers pushing upwards from the Cape Colony, guns entered the picture and Moshoeshoe determined that he needed some, together with a white advisor.

Having heard of the advantages missionaries brought, he invited three Frenchmen: Eugene Casalis, Constant Gosselin, and Thomas Arbousset to his kingdom. These men, and later Roman Catholic and Anglican

missionaries, were to have a great influence on the shape of Basotho history.

From 1837 to 1855 Casalis played the role of Moshoeshoe’s Foreign Minister. With his knowledge of the outside world, he was able to advise the King in his dealings with hostile foreigners. He also served as interpreter for Moshoeshoe in his dealings with white people – and documented the Sesotho language.

During the late 1830s, Boer trekkers showed up on Lesotho’s western borders and claimed land rights. They tried to colonise the land between the two rivers – even north of the Caledon. When Moshoeshoe heard of this, he explained that “…the ground on which they were belonged to me but I had no objections to their flocks grazing there until such time as they were able to proceed further; on condition,

The Legacy of Moshoeshoe I Although he had to cede much of his territory (the arable land west of the Caledon River) Moshoeshoe never suffered a major military defeat and succeeded in not losing more territory through diplomacy and a zeal to unite his people.

His death in 1870 marked the end of the traditional era and the beginning of the modern colonial period.

Commemoration Moshoeshoe Day is a national holiday in Lesotho celebrated every year on 11 March to commemorate the day of Moshoeshoe’s death.

Moshoeshoe I International Airport is named in his honour.

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King Moshoeshoe II (1938 – 1996)

Born Constantine Bereng Seeiso on 2 May 1938, King Moshoeshoe II was the eldest son of Paramount Chief Seeiso of Basutoland (now Lesotho). He attended school at the Catholic Missionary Centre at Roma, outside the capital Maseru but completed his education in England. He eventually graduated from the Corpus Christi College at Oxford University.

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The 22-year-old Constantine ascended to the throne - as King Moshoeshoe II in 1960.

This was at the height of African struggle for independence from colonial rule. This saw Moshoeshoe II align Basutoland with the continent-wide change and hoist his support for the struggle – most notably in opposition to Apartheid rule in South Africa.

He firmly led his nation to independence from Britain in 1966 – which birthed the new Lesotho.

In 1970, King Moshoeshoe II was placed under house arrest by the government of the day. Moshoeshoe II went into exile in the Netherlands and returned in 1971. After a period of stability, the country underwent a period of turmoil leading to a coup d’etat in 1986 led by Major-General Metsing Lekhanya.

Moshoeshoe II was once again exiled and deposed from the throne in 1990 by the military junta as King. He returned to office in 1995 but tragically died in a car accident in 1996.

King Moshoeshoe II worked tirelessly for political stability, democracy and peace. He was consistently true to the ideals of peaceful change and only used his crown for uniting his people. This beloved King is still remembered for his humility, wisdom and steady leadership.

His legacy is as one of Africa’s great traditional leaders who contributed to the democratic evolution of Lesotho.

The Order of the Companions of OR Tambo in Gold was posthumously awarded to King Moshoeshoe II for his exceptional contribution to the struggle against apartheid through supporting the liberation movement in times of need.

Moshoeshoe II married Princess Tabitha Masentle Lerotholi Mojela (later known as Queen Mamohato) in 1962, and with her had two sons and one daughter: His Royal Highness Prince David Mohato Bereng Seeiso (King Letsie III) (born 17 July 1963); His Royal Highness Prince Seeiso Bereng Seeiso (born 16 April 1966); and Her Royal Highness Princess Christina ‘Maseeiso (24 December 1969 – 7 September 1994).

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Queen ‘Mamohato Bereng Seeiso Lesotho’s late Queen Mother ‘Mamohato Bereng Seeiso was born Princess Tabita ‘Masentle Lerotholi Mojela on 28 April 1941, as the youngest child of Chief Lerotholi Mojela and Chieftainess Tabita ‘Masentle Mojela in the District of Mafeteng. Her father was a veteran of the First World War.

The Queen Mother completed her secondary education at Basutoland High School (Lesotho High School). She was sent to study at Bath Training College of Home Economics in the United Kingdom and enrolled in a course on “Technology and Rural Women, an International Perspective” at the University of Reading.

During her reign, the Queen Mother ran several charities and organisations – most notably in her work in the upliftment of Basotho women. Her patronage extended to Lesotho Red Cross, Lesotho Save the Children, Girl Guides Association of Lesotho, Hlokomela Bana Association and the Lesotho National Council of Women.

Her contributions were keenly felt through her works in upgrading education for children in Lesotho. Amongst many notable feats, she established a day care centre in Matsieng, as well as the Queen’s National Trust Fund for children in need.

Her Majesty’s other passions lay in agriculture and as a result she was involved in poultry, livestock and crop farming. Her legacy as a change agent in the agriculture industry in Lesotho is still felt. She inspired Basotho farmers through her active participation in practices in the Letsema traditions.

She was also an avid participant in Basotho Culture and relished in traditional dances and folk songs.

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But she was ever committed to official royal duties and travelled extensively in the name of pursuing the Kingdom’s national interests – mostly in the name of peace and diplomacy.

As a devout Christian, Her Majesty was an active and a devoted member of the legion of St. Anna and St. Cecilia of the Catholic Church and also a member of Bo-'Mábana of the Lesotho Evangelical Church.

Queen ‘Mamohato of Lesotho served as the Regent Head of State of Lesotho on three occasions: from 5 June to 5 December, 1970; 10 March to 12 November, 1990; and 15 January to 7 February, 1996.

The Queen Mother ‘Mamohato Bereng Seeiso passed away on 6 September 2003. At the time of her passing on, she was survived by her two sons and two daughters-in-laws, Her Majesty Queen ‘Masenate Mohato Bereng Seeiso and Princess ‘Mabereng Seeiso Bereng Seeiso, and two grandchildren – Princess Senate Mohato Bereng Seeiso and Prince Bereng Seeiso Bereng Seeiso.

Her children and descendants continue her efforts for the betterment of the Basotho nation. In the words of Prince Seeiso, “We should not let ourselves forget who she was, what she did and achieved amongst her people. The mission is still to embark on that journey and continue the good fight.”

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His Majesty King Letsie III The Reigning King of Lesotho

His Majesty King Letsie III is the first son of the late King Moshoeshoe II and the late Queen ‘Mamohato Bereng Seeiso’. He was born Mohato Bereng Seeiso at Scott Hospital in Morija on 17th July, 1963, and was christened David in the Roman Catholic Church.

Prince Mohato’s first years of Primary education took place at Iketsetseng Primary School in Maseru from 1968 to 1972 where he completed Standard V. In 1973 he proceeded to Gilling Castle, a Roman Catholic School run by the clergy of the Order of St. Benedict in Yorkshire, Great Britain, where he completed his primary education in 1976. He then proceeded to his father’s Alma Mater, Ampleforth College in 1977, where he completed his Secondary and High School education in 1980.

In 1980 the Prince enrolled at the National University of Lesotho and in 1984 completed a Bachelor’s degree in Law.

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Between 1984 and 1986 he completed a diploma in English Legal Studies with the University of Bristol in Britain.

Prince Mohato spent some time at the University of Cambridge where he studied Development Studies, and ended at Wye College of the University of London, where he studied Agricultural Economics.

During the school holidays, Prince Mohato spent time herding cattle and working the fields under supervision of his uncle, Chief Masupha Seeiso, then principle Chief of Matsieng.

Prince Mohato was sworn into office of King on 12 November, 1990, under the new Order No. 14 of 1990 and assumed the title Letsie III after Letsie II.

Following a brief abdication in favour of his father, he was sworn into office in February, 1996 followed by his coronation on the 31st October, 1997.

On 18th February 2000, His Majesty King Letsie III was joined in Holy marriage with Miss Karabo Anna Motsoeneng, who then became Her Majesty Queen ‘Masenate Mohato Bereng Seeiso. They are blessed with two daughters and a son, Princess Senate, Princess ‘Maseeiso and Crown Prince Lerotholi.

His Majesty King Letsie III is the patron of the Prince Mohato Award, a scheme that seeks to motivate Basotho youth towards selfrealisation and community work. His favourite sports include horse racing, tennis, squash, cricket and Rugby.

King Letsie III meets Pope Francis On 7 October 2013, their Majesties the King of Lesotho, Letsie III, and Queen ‘Masenate Mohato Bereng Seeiso travelled to the Vatican City to meet with His Holiness Pope Francis in the Vatican Apostolic Palace.

As part of his trip, the Catholic King was invested into the Constantinian Order.

King Letsie III is the last remaining Roman Catholic Monarch in Africa and the first African monarch to visit the Vatican. After the audience with the Pope, the Sovereign then met with Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone and Secretary for Relations with States, Archbishop Dominique Mamberti.

The cordial discussions centred on the good relations between the Holy See and the Kingdom of Lesotho. Special reference was made on the importance of religious freedom, in favouring positive collaboration between the State and the Church.

The Vatican expressed appreciation for Lesotho’s commitment to prioritising healthcare and education, and for the significant ecclesial contribution in the fields of charity, justice and peace.

Ethics and society were discussed, particularly relating to the family, as well as the political and economic situation in the region.

During their private audience at the Vatican Palace, King Letsie exchanged

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gifts with Pope Francis as a token of their continued good relations. King Letsie handed the Pope three beautifully crafted African tapestries. In return, the royal couple were gifted with rosaries and a medal.

The Constantinian Order His Majesty’s investiture into the Constantinian Order took place at the Embassy of the Kingdom of Lesotho to the Italian Republic in Rome and was conducted by His Eminence Renato Raffaele, Cardinal Martino, Grand Prior of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St George.

Her Majesty Queen ‘Masenate Mohato Bereng Seeiso of Lesotho attended the ceremony together with senior ministers of His Majesty’s Government in Lesotho.

The Grand Magistry of the Constantinian Order was represented by His Excellency Ambassador Nobile Giuseppe BalboniAcqua, Secretary General of the Dynastic Orders of the Royal House, HE Mr Anthony Bailey, OBE, GCSS, Grand Magistral Delegate for Inter-Religious Relations and Mr Alberto Janelli, Private Secretary to TRH The Duke and Duchess of Castro.

King Letsie III was awarded this singular honour for his faith-inspired contribution to furthering the constitutional and peaceful transition to coalition government as well as his dedication to promote the principals of his faith and promote inter-religious harmony in Lesotho.

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King Letsie III 50th Birthday Celebrations Reigning Monarch of Lesotho King Letsie III celebrated his 50th Birthday on 17 July 2013 in grand style. In attendance among the thousands of Basotho well-wishers were Botswana’s President Lt. Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama, Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe, Namibian past President Hefekepunye Pohamba, Swaziland’s King Mswati III and Zambian Vice President Dr Guy Scott.

The celebration was held at the capital city’s Setsoto Stadium and thronged by multitudes of Basotho in traditional regalia and in full celebration mode to hail their king. King Letsie III, accompanied by Queen Masenate Mohato Bereng Seeiso, was met with ululations and cheers as he approached the stadium.

The King’s vehicle preceded, followed and flanked by police officers on horseback - the icon of the Lesotho Mounted Police Service.

On arrival, King Letsie III received the Royal Salute with the Royal Standard broken at Mast-Head. The heavy sound of gunfire of the 21-gun salute kick-started the king’s birthday celebrations.

The national anthem, Lesotho Fatse La BoNtata Rona, was sung with passion and the King then inspected the guard of honour. The climax of the celebrations was the Lesotho Defence Forces (LDF) members’ parade around Setsoto Stadium.

The crowd was then captivated by the LDF Pipe Band’s unique style and exotic marching.

To honour the King, traditional music and dance was performed by different groups of choral and famo music, as well as the traditional ndlamo and mokhibo dance.

A highlight of the day was when the Queen took the limelight with her majestic and stylish execution of the mokhibo dance – much to the delight of the Basotho masses.

The Royal Family The first son of the late King Moshoeshoe II and Queen Mamohato Bereng Seeiso, King Letsie III was born at the Scott Hospital in Morija on 17 July 1963.

King of Lesotho 50 years later addressing the crowd at his momentous birthday celebration in 2013, Letsie III thanked the nation for their support and urged them to maintain unity, peace and the spirit of respect, honour and etiquette (hlompho le hlomphano).

King Letsie III credited his wife for his good health, achieved only through her dedication to creating a good home. Through Queen Masenate Mohato Bereng Seeiso, King Letsie III learnt to bind a family.

Declared a public holiday, King Letsie’s birthday is a grand occasion each year where scores of the Basotho express honour for their ruler and in turn, are bound together in cultural unity. Lesotho is among a few remaining monarchies in the African continent. The royal family forms an important part of the Basotho culture and society, and is deeply rooted in the nation’s history.

Since 2003, the King’s birthday festivities have been rotated among the country’s 10 districts to ensure a cross-section of citizen participation.

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Queen ‘Masenate Mohato Bereng Seeiso Lesotho’s reigning queen and wife of King Letsie III

Her Majesty Queen ‘Masenate Mohato Bereng Seeiso (Miss Karabo Anna Mots’oeneng) is the eldest daughter in a family of five children of Mr and Mrs Thekiso Mots’oeneng. She was born on 2nd June, 1976 in Mapoteng - a semi-urban area in the district of Berea. She was christened Anna into the Roman Catholic Church.

Photo: www.lestimes.com

It was in 1996, during her high school education, when she caught the eye of King Letsie III. And little did she know that her life would change forever. She was a student at Machabeng High School in Her last days of her International Baccalaureate (IB) programme. She was selected to serve as boarding prefect for the girls. She also served on the netball team. Whilst at High School, she was awarded a Bronze medal in the Prince Mohato Awards in June 1993. She completed her First Aid Training and was awarded a certificate from the Red Cross.

Her Majesty continued her education at the National University of Lesotho with a preference of continuing her studies in the field of science. She wanted to be a pharmacist. Halfway through her second year in pursuing a Bachelor of Science Degree, the announcement of their engagement by the Palace put her studies on hold.

On the 18th February 2000, Her Majesty Queen ‘Masenate was joined in matrimony with Her Majesty King Letsie III. They are blessed with three children, Her Royal Highness Princess Senate Mohato Brereng Seeiso, born on 7th October 2001, Her Royal Highness Princess Senate Mohato Brereng Seeiso, born on 20th November 2004 and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Lerotholi Mohato Bereng Seeiso born on 18th April 2007.

Juggling between her Royal duties, motherhood and school, Her Majesty Queen ‘Masenate finally graduated from Columbia University in the City of New York, USA with a degree in Bachelor of Arts in Economics in May 2011. Her positions held presently include reading when she finds time and baking. She is also a Patron of several organisations and charities. In 2006, she resuscitated the Queen’s National Trust Fund with the aim of helping the disadvantaged children with their educational needs.

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Photo: www.glasgow2014.com

Prince Seeiso Bereng Seeiso

As a Chevening Scholar, Prince Seeiso obtained a Master’s Degree in International Studies from the University of Birmingham in 1996. He was awarded an honorary Doctorate by Birmingham University in 2007.

The Prince was previously the Lesotho High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. In this capacity, Prince Seeiso received the Diplomat Magazine Award for Diplomat of the Year from Africa in 2011. Positions held currently include the Chancellor at The Centre for Accounting Studies, Goodwill Ambassador for Lesotho Planned Parenthood Association (LPPA) and Lesotho’s UN Ambassador for Climate Change.

In April 2006, he and Prince Harry of the United Kingdom formed a charity organisation called Sentebale to support other establishments working with Lesotho’s disadvantaged youth and children, particularly those orphaned as a result of HIV and AIDS. His passion for this work was inspired by the efforts of his late mother.

Prince Seeiso is a Climate Change Champion for the COMESA region.

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Photo: www.dailyexpress.uk

Prince Seeiso Bereng Seeiso of Lesotho was born on 16 April 1966 to the late King Moshoeshoe II (1938–1996) and the late Queen ‘Mamohato Bereng Seeiso (1941–2003). He is the younger brother of Lesotho’s king, Letsie III.

He is a devout Christian, passionately working with men in rural Lesotho through traditional Pitso gatherings.

Prince Seeiso is married to Princess Mabereng Seeiso of Lesotho and together they have three children: Prince Bereng Constantine Seeiso; Princess ‘Masentle Tabitha Seeiso; and Prince Masupha David Seeiso. sentebale.org

Princess ‘Mabereng Seeiso Now Princess ‘Mabereng Seeiso the wife of Prince Bereng Seeiso, Machaka Makara was born on 24 October 1975 in Maseru to parents George Makara and Malephoi Margret Makara.

The Princess received a degree in Baccalaureus Technologie (Biomedical Technology) from Cape Peninsula University of Technology in 2000. She completed a BScMedScHons in Medical Microbiology at the University of Stellenbosch in 2002.

She also received her Master of Arts in Management from the University of Westminster, London in 2010.

Women Empowerment Her work has centred around one of her great passions, which is Women Empowerment. As an entrepreneur currently working in the textile industry, Princess ‘Mabereng Seeiso runs a factory employing about 300 to 400 women from the rural areas of Lesotho. Her focus is skills development and encouraging entrepreneurship among women living in the rural areas to create employment.

Equally important in promoting rural entrepreneurship is nurturing the ability for women to take care of their families on a daily basis, as opposed to the hundreds that flock to the cities in search for work.

The social implications of children living in absence of their parents are far more detrimental to society.

Princess ‘Mabereng Seeiso firmly believes in the preservation and development of culture, traditional sports, and dancing (Mokhibo). Together with entrepreneurship development, these are important elements in building strong community networks, and empowerment tools to educate and build Basotho women.

She has been involved in the education sponsorship programs for vulnerable children living in the Royal Village of Matsieng. Not solely aimed at orphans or girls, any child with the need to develop and educate themselves is granted an opportunity to turn their lives around for the better.

Charity The Princess is involved in various Women Skills Development programmes ranging from sewing, tie-dye arts and crafts, as well as agriculture (notably supporting farming of poultry and pigs).

Some of her other passions centre on children and adults with hearing impairments. The hard of hearing are granted opportunities to hear through hearing aids which transform their lives from attending normal schooling, and communication. Those with total impairment are taught sign language which is vital for their communication. She has been passionately working with the Starkey foundation to aid hearing in Lesotho.

She is currently lobbying for a good pre-school in the Royal Village where children can master the fundamentals of reading and basic mathematics as they feed into local government and church schools.

The Princess’s hobbies include gardening, cooking, traveling, and interior decorating. Princess ‘Mabereng Seeiso has been married to Prince Bereng Seeiso for 12 years and they are blessed with three children: Bereng Constantine Seeiso born on 29 March 2003, Masentle Tabitha Seeiso born on 6 December 2004 and Masupha David Seeiso born on 14 January 2008.

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Two Royal Princes Working Together Sentebale was jointly established by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso in 2006.

During his ‘gap year’ in Lesotho, Prince Harry of the British Royal Family, together with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, was moved to help vulnerable children and young people in the country.

Sentebale, meaning ‘Forget-me-not’ was founded by the two Royal Princes “as a memorial to the charity work of our own mothers – as well as a reminder to us all not to forget Lesotho or its children”.

This was outlined by Prince Harry at the charity Concert for Diana, his mother.

The two patrons, with the advice of the newly established Board of Trustees and Management teams in Lesotho and UK, resolved to plough back the accrued funds from the 15-minute documentary known as the “the Forgotten Kingdom” (aired on BBC and other international

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broadcasting stations in the world) into 18 community-based organisations.

These organisations provided both family and residential care and support to 4,200 children and youth that had hosted the two patrons during their familiarisation tours. In the form of needs-based Quick Impact projects.

Since its inception, Sentebale has reached over 10,000 children using a mix of approaches in addressing the needs of different categories of most marginalised and vulnerable children and youth, through the following five key programmes: i) Care for the Vulnerable Children – involves working with local community partners to ensure orphans and children with disabilities

receive care and education they need to lead healthy lives; ii) Secondary School Bursaries – covers the costs of school fees, uniforms, nutritional support and educational materials to enable children to go to school; iii) H erd boys Education – gives herd boys an opportunity to receive education while fulfilling their cultural role of tendering livestock; iv) L etsema Network – an informationgathering and knowledge-sharing network of aid providers working with vulnerable children in Lesotho; and v) ‘Mamohato Network and Camps – provides essential life-skills and psychological support to children living with HIV and AIDS in Lesotho.

Opening new worlds with improved hearing In 2012 Sentebale completed the first two-day hearing mission in Lesotho in partnership with the Starkey Hearing Foundation, to fit over 500 children, youth and adults with free hearing aids.

Basotho from all over the country, ranging from children as young as four years old to a centenarian – came to have their hearing assessed and hearing aids fitted. Many were able to hear properly for the first time!

The numbers treated included over 250 from Sentebale’s Care for Vulnerable Children programme including some from the Kananelo Centre for the Deaf, also visited by Prince Harry during the year.

Prince Seeiso gave a big vote of thanks to the Starkey Hearing Foundation.

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Sentebale has scaled-up the ‘Mamohato programme by building the ‘Mamohato Children’s Centre thus allowing the programme to reach four times the number of affected children – leading to a marked improvement in the young people’s quality of life.

Sentebale believes that if children with HIV are educated about their status, not only can they lead healthier, happier lives, but can also educate their peers, enlightening a whole generation about the prevention and management of this killer disease.

If you would like to make a donation, please go to www.sentebale.org/donate Twitter: @Sentebale Photos courtesy of Chris Jackson / Getty Images Contact Sentebale: Tel: +266 22 324 673 Tel: +44 207 7300 226

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The Late Princess ‘Maseeiso Tribute 24 December 1969 – 7 September 1994

On 23 August 1962 Princess Tabita ‘Masentle Lerotholi Mojela was joined in Holy Matrimony to the late King Moshoeshoe II. Her Majesty Queen ‘Mamohato and the King were blessed with three children - Crown Prince Mohato David (now King Letsie III), Prince Seeiso Simeone (Principal Chief of Matsieng) and Princess ‘Maseeiso.

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HRH Princess Christina Maseeiso was born on Christmas Eve 1969. She passed away on 7 September 1994 at the age of 25.

She left the world before her time with much to offer her homeland. Her death devastated her now late parents and she is sorely missed by her two older brothers, family and friends.

The Monarchy in Lesotho The monarchy has remained functional in Lesotho since 1822 up to the present day and remains the unifying institution and symbol of the Basotho nation.

Being a constitutional monarchy has offered a neutral, “non-partisan” head of state who is above politics.

It has over the years acted as an embodiment of traditional authority and thus served as a symbol of “patriotic loyalty and national unity”. The monarch also “constitutes a repository of experience and wisdom”, particularly with regard to constitutional issues that are available to democratically elected governments.

The monarchy, then and today, often symbolises and supports traditional values “such as hierarchy, deference and respect for inherited wealth and social position”.

The nation always looks up to it during turbulent times and therefore will continue to be a pillar of strength of the Basotho nation.

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CHAPTER 2 Icons of Lesotho

Prime Ministers of Lesotho

Photo: www.lestimes.com

Lesotho’s first Prime Minister was Sekhonyana Nehemia Maseribane of the Basotho National Party, who led from 6 May 1965 to 7 July 1965. He was succeeded by Leabua Jonathan who was at the helm for nearly two decades from 7 July 1965 to 20 January 1986.

Photo: www.lestimes.com

Military leader Justin Lekhanya then took over until 2 May 1991. His successor was Elias Phisoana Ramaema, who was Chairman of the Military Council until 2 April 1993. Ntsu Mokhehle from Basutoland Congress Party took over until 17 August 1994. The country was then briefly under the leadership of Independent leader Prime Minister Hae Phoofolo until 14 September 1994.

He was then succeeded by Mokhehle who ran for his second term (under Lesotho Congress for Democracy from 1997). Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili succeeded Mokhehle from 29 May 1998 and led from under the Democratic Congress banner from 2011. His first term ended on 8 June 2012 when he was succeeded

by Tom Thabane. Under the All Basotho Convention, Thabane led from 8 June 2012 to 17 March 2015. This saw Mosisili re-enter for his second term as incumbent Prime Minister of Lesotho.

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Ntsu Mokhehle Mokhehle was born on 26 December 1918 and died on 6 January 1999. He served as Prime Minister of Lesotho from 2 April 1993 to 17 August 1994 and from 14 September 1994 to 29 May 1998.

Mokhehle was born in Teyateyaneng and was founder of the Basutoland Congress Party in 1952. It was renamed Basotho Congress Party after independence in 1966. He was leader of the party until 1997 when he resigned and formed a new political party, Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD).

After Mokhehle insisted he could not lead the party any longer due to poor health, a new conference was held and Deputy Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili was elected on 21 February 1998. The LCD won the following parliamentary election and Mosisili replaced Mokhehle as Prime Minister.

Tom Thabane Thomas Motsoahae “Tom” Thabane was born 28 May 1939 and was Prime Minister of Lesotho from June 2012 to March 2015.

He was a member of the Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD) and served from 1998 to 2006. In 2006 he formed the All Basotho Convention. He formed a coalition with other parties in the wake of the May 2012 parliamentary election and was appointed Prime Minister.

In the February 2015 parliamentary election, the All Basotho Convention was

Photo: www.washingtonpost.com

Tom Thabane

democratically ousted by a coalition of parties led by Pakalitha Mosisili.

Thabane is passionate about promoting his Nation Lesotho and was a proud initiator of the ‘Best of Lesotho’ project.

Pakalitha Mosisili Bethuel Pakalitha Mosisili was born near Qacha’s Nek 14 March 1945 and is the incumbant Prime Minister of Lesotho since March 2015. His first term as Prime Minister was served from May 1998 to June 2012 after he led the Lesotho Congress for

Democracy (LCD) to a near-total victory in the 1998 election. Under his leadership the party also won majorities in the 2002 and 2007 elections. While serving as Prime Minister, Mosisili was also Minister of Defence.

After an election held on 28 February 2015, he formed and led a coalition government. He was sworn in on 17 March 2015.

Mosisili is taking Lesotho to greater heights and a brighter future through visionary leadership.

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Dr ‘Masechele Khaketla – A woman of many ‘firsts’

Dr ‘Masechele Khaketla, a pioneer in the genre of education and writing, died at the age of 94 on 16 August 2012.

Dr Khaketla was born on 1 January 1918 in the Berea district as Ntsenliseng Caroline Ramolahloane - the third daughter of the late Luka and ‘Maphillip Ramolahloane of Liphiring in Mohale’s Hoek.

Educated at Liphiring and Siloe, she made history by passing ‘Standard Six’ with a first class pass. This obtained her a grant to study further at Morija Training College and thence to Fort Hare University. Here, she once again made history by becoming the first Mosotho woman to obtain a degree (BA).

Dr Khaketla’s career in education began in 1942 at Thabana Morena Training College and hence at Morija Training College. She also taught at Basutoland High School and then transferred to St Catherine’s College.

Her press obituary says “she was married on her birthday in 1946, to the late Bennett Makalo Khaketla. They were blessed with six children – four sons and two daughters.”

When her husband went to exile in 1950, the family moved to Nigel in the Transvaal, where they stayed until 1953.

Dr Khatketla is well known throughout Lesotho because of her long teaching career, her many ‘firsts’ – and her many books and public speeches – which contain “the kind of moral lessons that cannot be found in books”.

Even the late Queen ‘Mamahato Seeiso

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was one of her best-known students!

In 1960, she once more made history when, together with the late ‘Matsoarathebe Lebentlele and ‘Matankiso Mosese, she founded Ikatsetseng Private School – Lesotho’s first private school.

Together with other high-profile and high-calibre men and women, King Letsie III himself is a product of Ikasetseng!

In 1979 Dr Khaketla became the first woman to hold the post of Assessor in the High Court of Lesotho – and she once again made the history books when the National University of Lesotho recognised her contribution to education by awarding her a doctorate in literature.

Subsequently in 2001, Fort Hare University awarded her a doctorate in Literature and Philosophy – once again she was the first Mosotho woman to receive such honours.

Following her death at such an advanced age, her son Maieane Khakhetla said of his mother: “She has never in her old age been seriously ill – she has been healthy for years.” He added that as Khaketla’s children, he and his siblings “were blessed to have had a mother who lived her life.”

Dr Kakhetla was also active in the church and Mother’s Union.

And talking of ‘firsts’ – Dr Kakhetla was the first Mosotho women to obtain a driver’s licence!

Thomas Mofolo

– Author of the epic “Chaka” Thomas Mofolo (1876 – 1848) is considered the greatest Basotho author. He wrote mostly in Sesotho, but his most popular book – Chaka – has been translated into English and other languages.

Early life Thomas Mofolo was born at Khojane on 22 December, 1876 and he attended the local schools of the Paris Evangelical Missionary Society, obtaining a teacher’s certificate in 1898. While he was working at the book depot in Morija, some of the missionaries encouraged him to write what was to become his first novel in Sesotho, Moeti oa bochabela (1907; The Traveller of the East). The edifying story of a young Basotho chief’s conversion to Christianity, it is cleverly interwoven with traditional myths and praise poems. The success of Moeti prompted other young teachers to try their hand at fiction – thus launching one of the earliest literary movements in sub-Saharan Africa.

Mofolo creates a masterpiece After a less successful attempt at writing a novel more in the style of European fiction (Pitseng) he then composed his third and best-known work, Chaka – a mythic retelling of the story of the rise and fall of the Zulu Emperor-King Shaka – who built a mighty empire during the first quarter of the 19th Century.

Under Mofolo’s pen, the eventful career of Shaka becomes the epic tragedy of a heroic figure whose overweening ambition drives him to insane cruelty and ultimate ruin.

Mofolo’s work has been called “a genuine masterpiece; the narrative follows the austere curve of growth and decline which controls the structure of classic tragedy at its best; psychological motivation is sharply clarified at all points; and the author has cleverly manipulated the supernatural element – which is endowed with true symbolic value.”

Although the missionaries who had encouraged him were not insensitive to the high literary achievement of Chaka, the vivid pictures of pre-Christian life that the work depicts made them reluctant to publish it.

A literary exile In his disappointment, Mofolo left for South Africa in 1910 and gave up writing, spending several years as a labour agent recruiting workers for the gold mines of the Transvaal and the sugar plantations of Natal. After 1927 he bought a store in Lesotho; in 1937 he acquired a farm in South Africa but was evicted under the Bantu Land Act. He died in Lesotho on 8 September 1948.

Legacy of Thomas Mofolo Chaka is the earliest major contribution of black Africa to the corpus of modern world literature.

The library at the National University of Lesotho is named the Thomas Mofolo

Library in his honour.

Chaka was named one of the twelve best works of African literature of the 20th Century by a panel organised by Ali Mazrui.

The book has been translated into English on two separate occasions.

Source: Wikipedia

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Dr J P Mohapeloa Dr J P Mohapeloa is Lesotho’s foremost musical composer and one of Southern Africa’s greatest creators of choral works.

Dr Joshua Pulumo Mohapeloa

The Rev. John Mohapeloa (seated to the left) and his large family.

Early life Born in 1908 to the Rev. J M Mohapeloa and his wife Candace (and also the grandson and nephew of a priest) Joshua Pulumo, as he was named, showed an early aptitude for music, even for one born into a family where talent was plentiful – his sister Lerato was a renowned beauty nicknamed “No Mistake”!

The area where he was born, Mokhotlong, provided an inspirational backdrop to many of his compositions – in which his great love of nature – from the mountains and rivers to birds and flowers, is evident. Indeed, the majestic scenery of Lesotho was to him proof of the abundance of the Creator.

As Moroesi Sibandze in “Mohapeloa: the Man and his Music” puts it: “He was inspired by [the beauty of Lesotho] to praise God for the wonders that exist in this country…from the deep waters, the dark loam, the carpeted valleys, the buds (to which he tenderly likens youth), the heedless hare, the “sheep of His pasture”, the warriors and kings, the tapering mountains, the “hukuthu hu-hu” of the dove and the invigorating air higher up.”

Educated at Molumong and later in Morija, he then attended what was later Fort Hare University - but his studies were interrupted by a bout of tuberculosis, forcing him to return home.

Adversity becomes opportunity Back in the bosom of his family, he decided to make “creative use of distress” and set about writing choral compositions.

What started off as evenings of fireside singing and story-telling (his siblings forming a captive yet willing audience and choir) was later to blossom into a body of work that was groundbreaking in its mixing of traditional, religious and modern influences.

JP Mohapeloa started a choir at Mohalinyane in the eastern lowlands (his family’s new home) and began composing for it – his work quickly spreading to other choirs and also being introduced in schools. By 1934 he had written more than 30 songs which were published in his first song-book, “Meloli le lithallere tsa Afrika” (Sounds and Songs of Africa)(1935) comprising 32 works.

This was the first of three books all with the same title – with songs numbered from 1 – 92 through all three. The whole collection is still available for sale in its original tonic solfa notation, from the Morija Book Depot.

In 1936, the Morija Training Institution Choir, under the watchful eye of the composer, recorded eight of the songs from Meloli Book I for the SABC. These were probably among the first songs recorded for radio, in Sesotho.

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His time at the University of the Witswatersrand, Johannesburg In 1939 Mohapeloa was awarded a scholarship to enrol in the Music Department of ‘Wits’ – where he took courses in music, harmony and counterpoint on a part-time basis. The prevailing apartheid structure meant he could only enrol as an “Occasional Student” - but there is no doubt this exposure would have broadened his knowledge and skills as a composer.

Dr J P Mohapeloa is noted for his groundbreaking compositions in which he drew not only from his foundations in traditional Sotho folk song and dance – but also incorporated European hymn styles brought to the country by missionaries.

Uniquely for his time, he also wove into the mix American and African ragtime, jazz, swing, Western art songs and opera – and even European folk songs – thus combining all the many influences that had made their way into the Southern African consciousness.

This musical eclecticism was not without its detractors in the form of some of JP’s lecturers and tutors. No doubt with the best of intentions, they wished to preserve the “purity” of the traditional Sotho songs – but in doing so failed to recognise that the genius and originality of Dr Mohapeloa’s work lay in weaving together all the various

The following is Dr J P Mohapeloa’s choral ode to the Senqu or Orange River, which rises in the highlands of Lesotho: The Orange River I glide endlessly I fall down deep holes Rumbling, crashing towards the ocean Far away from the gorges from whence I come Don’t call me “Collector-of-all” if I find sheep for myself I cut across the live, wide plains Food for the road is good for me, the Orange River.

The initials “JP” are instantly recognisable and revered in Lesotho to this day!

strands of music and song culture that – in his own words - he had “tasted, chewed, swallowed and assimilated until they became part of my being”.

Reputation and influence In a total of close to 150 published songs, Dr J P Mohapeloa exerted an enormous influence not only on the next generation of composers in Lesotho, but also in neighbouring South Africa. As he himself insisted: “…African music has undergone many changes, and we cannot any more stigmatise current practices as foreign… than we could be justified in ostracising the modern African youth on the grounds of sartorial fashions.”

A selection of his songs, “Meluluetsa ea Nts’etso-pele le Bosechaba Lesotho” was Dr Mohapeloa’s contribution towards the celebration of ten years of Independence of the Kingdom of Lesotho in 1976. These songs are of a more patriotic nature than earlier ones – and have featured much in choral competitions ever since.

Dr J P Mohapeloa evokes much adulation among the Basotho people.

As a pianist, singer and choir master, he has been described as “one of the most prolific, capable and inspired composers; musically gifted and versatile, polished and meticulous.” His songs have also been called “sound photographs” for their ability

Ululate, gorges and plains Because I bring plenty of food to nations Meat, tree trunks, dampness to the fields Please rejoice – remember your trumpets Step on the organ, the whistles be in your mouth!

Lead the singing of war-songs, and sing together When I spread and pass the wide plains.

Such praises suit me, Senqu – the Orange River.

Senqu Ke hohlomela ka liholokothong Ke shesha, ke tuluana ho ea leoateng Holohole le moo ke tsoang, likhohong Se mpitseng macheshelle ha k’itholla linku

to conjure up the sweeping landscapes of his native land. Christine Lucia suggests that his songs “index a changing world, song by song, year by year” – she calls them “environmental documents”. www.africanchorus.org www.kaganof.com www.african-composers-edition.co.za

Ke haola naha e phela ea masabasaba Mofoa oa ntsoanela ‘na Senqu.

Lilietsang, likhohlo le masabasaba Hoba ke tlitlisa nala lichabeng Nama, likoqo, mongobo masimong.

Nthabeleng hle, lehopoleng literompeta Hatang thomo, phala li be melomong!

Phokolang mekorotlo, e hl’e be se hou, Ha ke phutlalla, ke feta le masabasaba.

Lithloko lia ntsoanela ‘na Senqu.

JP Mohapeloa

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Tsidii Le Loka

– Lesotho’s star vocalist and performer

Photo: www.timeout.com

Tsidii Le Loka was born in Lesotho on 3 April 1968. The actress, vocalist and composer is best known for originating the role of Rafiki in the original Broadway production of Disney’s stage musical, The Lion King.

Her electrifying performances have thrilled international audiences for years.

Photo: www.broadwayworld.com

Tsidii is a Tony Award nominee and winner of several awards including Outer Critics Circle Award, Drama Desk Award, and Drama League Award for Outstanding Performance in a Musical in The Lion King on Broadway.

She has also been awarded the prestigious Ivor Novello Award for International Achievement in Musical Theatre from The British Academy of Composers and Songwriters.

She has performed in concerts, festivals, international tours and recordings, with world-class stars such as Sting, Elton John, Madonna, Harry Belafonte, Miriam Makeba, Dionne Warwick, Youssou N’Dour, Roberta Flack, Max Roach and Ladysmith Black Mambazo.

Tsidii has collaborated and performed as guest star in productions including Riverdance on Broadway and in Canciones Antes Una Guerra / Songs Before The War which toured Spain and Italy and won best Show of the Seville Bi-Centinial Flamenco Festival (XIII Bienal De Flamenco de Sevilla).

Her television special Caught in the Act on WGBY won the Iris Award for best local program. The television special Tsidii Le Loka in Concert aired on major television

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networks and was re-aired several times by popular demand.

As an actress she has also appeared as lead roles in two Stephen King made-fortelevision movies Rose Red and The Diary Of Ellen Rimbauer, as well as Law and Order.

Her lead roles in Theatre include South Pacific (for which she earned a Leon Rubin Award Nomination); The Vagina Monologues and Agamemnon and His Daughters.

Amongst all her great accomplishments, one of her greatest remains being the only artist invited to perform at Nelson Mandela’s first International Press Conference in Johannesburg after his release from prison.

Tsidii is a direct descendent of the 19th century Amahlubi Chief and Leader, Chief Langalibalele. He was one of the first African rulers in South Africa to be imprisoned on Robben Island. Shortly after his release from prison, Nelson Mandela flew by helicopter to lay a wreath at Langalibalele’s grave. The home of South African jazz, Langa, meaning “Sun”, is named after Chief Langalibalele and is Cape Town’s oldest township. www.tsidii.com

Frank Leepa

– Lesotho’s legendary base guitarist and co-founder of Sankomota

His third band Sankomota was one of Lesotho and Southern Africa’s most popular music groups. The band was formed around 1976 and consisted of several members in its earliest years, with Frank at the helm as guitarist, vocalist, arranger, and composer.

Under his leadership, Sankomota’s career spanned more than two decades.

His albums included Sankomota, The Writing is on the Wall, Exploration: A new Phase, Dreams Do Come True, After the Storm, The Best of Sankomota and Frankly Speaking.

Sankomota exploded onto the music scene in 1984 with a self-titled album with only eight songs, which were recorded in Maseru in a mobile studio by Lloyd Ross of Shifty Music. This was the first album to be recorded in the Mountain Kingdom and became an instant hit.

Their first major success came with the single Now or Never, which cleverly mixed Sesotho and English as a proudly African prophecy. Frank Leepa wrote soul-piercing music with a message. Banned in South Africa, Sankomota made it out of the country to England via Swaziland. The band played a massive role in the anti-apartheid

Photo: www.sjambokmusic.com

Photo: www.sjambokmusic.com

Frank Leepa was born in Lesotho in October 1953. The young Frank Leepa started Anti Antiques while still at high school and then his next band Uhuru in the late 1970s.

movement and freedom for Africa.

Moki ‘Frank’ Leepa died in Maseru on 27 November 2003 after a short illness, having just arrived back home from South Africa where he had been based, working with the Metso Band.

South African musicians organised a benefit concert in his honour on 3 December at Kippie’s in Johannesburg.

Locally, a memorial service was organised at the Lesotho Cooperatives College on 4 December. He was buried at his home in Qhuuqhu, in the Maseru district on 7 December. A divorcee, he left behind a sister and a younger brother.

As a musical giant, the true genius behind Sankomota’s status was the humble and gifted Frank Leepa.

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Sam Matekane Born in 1958, in Thaba Tseka District in a village of Mantsonyane, Lesotho, Sam Matekane has always been zealous and striving to do more and better.

From just a dream to become a successful businessman, he has overcome milestone to now being known as the CEO of Lesotho. The whole country respects him for his way of doing business, his humility, generosity, love for his country and bravery to always take risks in business.

For the past 28 years, he has built his profile purely by being as hardworking and dedicated as he has always been. Whilst still managing a multimillion rand empire, he has also taken good care of his entire family. Never forgetting where he came

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from, the village from which he gathered a good foundation and ethics, he continues to give back to them and the Basotho nation as a whole.

Sam is deeply rooted in his Christian beliefs and always acknowledges the Almighty for his success because he knows it is not only by might or power but by the Spirit of the Lord that he has come this far.

There comes a moment in every man’s life when he needs to focus on himself and reap the fruits of his labour. For this hardworking man, he found peace in

seeking and collecting vintage cars as both an investment and a hobby. In the same spirit, the collection is growing to be beautiful and worth more that he had anticipated.

Quote by Sam: “Be courageous and steadfast, for God will surely grant you your hearts desires. Hard work and self-drive will allow you to explore your inner-most deep abilities that are waiting to blossom. Each and every one of us has an ability to be who they want to be in life.�

Tsepo Tshola

– The “Village Pope”!

Photo: www.sundayexpress.co.ls

Photo: Katso Morapedi

Tsepo Tshola, renowned as a solo artist and also as a founder member of well-known band Sankomota, is blessed with a typically “larger-than-life” creative personality and is beloved by many Basotho for his compositions, his collaborations and his gravelly voice.

Sankomota – originally named ‘Uhuru’ was formed in 1976 and consisted of the late Frank Leepa, Moss Nkofo, Black Jesus, Moruti Selate, Pitso Sera (among others) and Tsepo Tshola (lead vocalist and composer).

Peter Schneider managed the band in its early years.

Their playlist features classics such as ‘Now or Never’, ‘Bakubeletsa’, ‘Papa’, ‘Confusion and Pain’, ‘Stop The War’, ‘Fruits of Your Toil’ and the Sesotho folk song ‘Obe’.

Their unique take on hymns such as ‘When the Roll is Called Up Yonder’ and ‘Ho Likile’ marked them out as great exponents of Afro-Jazz and Afro-Pop. Known fondly as the “Village Pope”, Tshola’s career spans four decades and includes collaborations with such stars as Brenda Fassie – with whom he released

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‘Boipatong’ in the aftermath of the Boipatong Massacre of 1992.

Tsola remembers that day vividly: “I got a call driving from Midrand and Brenda said “Godfather, where are you?” and I said “MaBrr, what the hell is going on?”

“I’m in the studio, please come” she said.

“Where?” “Downtown.” I was on my way.

I got in there. Brenda was going crazy.

I listened to the music. “Give me pen and paper,” I asked.

“And then I started writing. What a session.” And the rest is history.

“It’s one of the greatest, most spontaneous duets that came out more perfect than perfect can ever be in my career, after 43 years!”

Tsepo Tshola, like many gifted people, has battled his personal demons with varying degrees of success.

But he remains an adored icon of musical genius to his legions of fans both in Lesotho and outside.

Meshu Mokitimi

– Mountain Kingdom Artist Artist Meshu Mokitimi, based in Maseru and still working at the age of 82, paints in the style of the African Expressionists. His best-known works include stylized renditions of miners, herd-boys and other subjects, some but not all of which are relevant to his life experience both in Lesotho and outside.

Meshu Mokitimi notes that “Some people say that African Expressionists have a distortionist approach - but for us it is reality and how we see ourselves. I have arrived at a point where I can express my feelings through the depiction of the human figure.”

Meshu is Lesotho’s most prominent artist and was born in the mountain village of Qeme – where he says the people were “very traditional – the medicine man may hunt for snakes and the herd-boys look after the cattle; you watch the tall grass and if it shakes continuously you know that the snake is there.”

While other children in the village modelled animals out of clay – Meshu was inspired to model images of the village chief. Even now he explains that he draws human figures as if they are made of clay!

Mokitimi’s career as an internationally renowned painter spans over 50 years.

When he and other activists were fighting against the “colour bar” in Lesotho, he was incarcerated for his beliefs for 11 years.

Mokitimi explains: “There is nothing as devastating as incarceration without cause.” While in prison he spent his time making drawings.

Experience as a miner in neighbouring South Africa also features in many of Mokitimi’s paintings – and as a political activist he also commented on the migrant

labour culture and its inevitable effects on family and community life.

Lack of employment in his home country led Meshu Mokitimi to find work outside as a miner, circus worker, jockey and boxer – but eventually he returned to Lesotho to the uncertain fortunes of an artist – while most of his contemporaries left to ply their trade in South Africa, London and New York. He always stressed that he was, and is, “a Mosotho artist” – so that this “artist’s return” made sense.

He has, however, travelled extensively, exhibiting his work in the United States, Europe, South America, China and more recently, Ireland.

Mokotimi’s work, mainly in charcoal and pastels, has been collected by Bill Clinton and President Mary McAleese of Ireland. It also hangs in embassies and government buildings throughout Europe and the U.S. Meshu Mokitimi still spends each day in his studio dedicated to producing images that represent the culture of his country.

On the 40th anniversary of the Independence of Lesotho, His Majesty King Letsie III awarded Meshu Mokitimi the Most Loyal Order of Ramatseatsana.

Source: “Conversations with Meshu” by Eileen O’Leary info@eileenoleary.com archive.constantcontact.com

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Stephen Teboho Morojele Gill Widely known – even famous – as the highly dedicated and successful Curator of Morija Museum & Archives, Stephen Gill left the United States for Lesotho in 1979 at the age of 24 and never looked back.

Born in 1955 with his twin brother Douglas, into a hard-working Minnesota family of five, Stephen excelled at school and seemed destined for a career in science. He then investigated a possible future as a diplomat, majoring in Political Science at university before passing the Foreign Service Exam.

And to explore his growing faith more fully – he followed this with a year of additional studies at Regent College in Vancouver, Canada – which he describes as “a stimulating school of theology for (those who want) a strong but integrated faith – one that was able to explore any intellectual or social forces without dogma or fear.”

But our story really begins when the youthful Stephen accepted a 3-year placement with Mennonite Central Committee as a volunteer teacher at Mapholaneng Secondary School – situated in the remote Lesotho mountains – never

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imagining that it would become his permanent home.

Stephen recalls this important turningpoint in his life: “Mapholaneng was like a new beginning: the beauty and rugged nature of the place; the vibrant interaction between the boarding school and the wider community – including its wonderful music, dance and dramatic sketches; the challenges of being a new teacher – of adapting to a new culture and learning Sesotho; the great support of the Morojele family and many others there… efforts to understand the Lesotho Evangelical Church and other denominations; the political challenges of the time; and so much more.”

Within 18 months he was made boarding master, and then acting headmaster.

Tlohang Sekhamane, headmaster at the time, urged Stephen: “Just stay one year

longer and we’ll build this school together” – and that’s exactly what happened.

During his time at the school Stephen became ever more interested in Lesotho’s history, culture, spirituality and broader issues of development. This enabled him to segue smoothly into the task of reorganising the Morija Museum and all its activities, when the need for it arose.

Again in Stephen’s own words: “Under the tutelage of A B Thoahlane, Rev. Albert Brusch and K M Nts’ihlele – the three stalwarts who had kept the archives and museum going for so many years, I was able to re-organise the wealth of archival materials and museum exhibits so the new facility could re-open to the public in September, 1989. Over the coming years, I gained a much deeper understanding of the history and culture of Lesotho and of the church.”

What has most inspired Stephen Gill, Curator of Morija Museum and Archives?

Reorganising and relaunching the Museum and Archives was a herculean task involving detailed genealogical work, probing the origins of settlement in the upper Phutiatsana, evaluating the impact of infrastructural projects on heritage and on the cultural (and physical) landscape, re-examining the legacy of Moshoeshoe I and the missionaries he invited to his country, writing a sweeping survey of Lesotho’s history and looking at contemporary issues like Lesotho’s relations with neighbouring South Africa… all these became grist to Stephen’s mill as he sought to present Lesotho’s heritage in as objective a way as possible.

Together with David Hall and others in the Morija community, Stephen was

instrumental in giving birth to the Morija Arts & Cultural Festival in 1999…a huge undertaking begun “out of passion for Lesotho, hoping that (it) might help to dispel the gloom that prevailed after the 1998 upheaval”.

Stephen felt deeply that “a public and communal celebration that would reaffirm our ‘unity in diversity’…our potential for a future together…and highlight our unique and vibrant culture” was called for at the time.

He goes on to stress the enormous privilege of working with others like Patrick Rorke, on the establishment of the Arts Centre at Morija and dealing with “organisational development issues at various levels” in the wider sector – with NGOs, the church and the community as well as beig involved in strategising, policy issues, and the like…and partnering with

“a hard-working, committed and creative team”.

What gives rise to his inspiration at Morija Museum & Archives?

Stephen responds: “Who would not be thrilled to be so deeply immersed in this challenging environment – hard, to be sure, and sometimes rather too demanding – but ever so diverse and satisfying, as the work continues to mature?”

During the tenure of Stephen James Teboho Morojele Gill – to give him his full name – both Morija Museum & Archives and the Morija Arts & Cultural Festival, have grown enormously in stature and attendance, becoming one of the hubs of the cultural life of the mountain kingdom.

Stephen is married to Lindelani and they have an adored daughter, Mamello.

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Sekamotho “Ska” Moteane Lesotho’s award-winning female chef and author of cookbook “Cuisine of the Mountain Kingdom”

Not only is Moteane a celebrity chef, and award-winning author, but also a television personality. She hopes to diversify her product range and sees great potential in Lesotho’s cooking industry.

Moteane has won two international awards for her debut culinary book, Cuisine of the Mountain Kingdom: Cooking in Lesotho the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards 2012 for best debutant author and Best African Cuisine Book in Southern Africa.

She received her prizes on 23 February 2013 at the Louvre Museum during the Paris Cookbook Fair.

Her book contains 28 traditional Basotho dishes. She cleverly incorporates local ingredients such as honey to reinvent these delicious Basotho dishes. These local dishes are so closely tied to Lesotho’s culture and identity, which is why Moteane works so hard to preserve them.

All her dishes and menus are designed around what she can get seasonally from local farmers and suppliers. She feels very passionately about the work she does in support of these partnerships. This model is mutually beneficial as it helps to boost the local economy and promote fresh, healthy, nutritious eating.

Farming is close to Moteane’s heart and she believes that Basotho need to work together to ensure that small-scale farmers are able to succeed. A way of doing this is through education on the importance of buying local produce and the benefits of using fresh ingredients. Since returning to Lesotho with her vast experience, Moteane has helped revitalise the precious culinary heritage of her native land.

Born on 9 July 1979 in Lesotho, Sekamotho Mirriam Moteane (aka Ska) was raised with an appreciation for food after falling in love with the aromas and tastes of cooking in her mother’s kitchen. The Basotho tradition of young girls being expected to do the cooking at home was broadened for Moteane as her family owned a bakery and a lodge.

She attended primary school in Thaba-Tseka before her family moved to Lithabaneng in Maseru — the place she still calls home. Her high school career was completed at St Stephen’s in Mohale’s Hoek.

After finishing school, Moteane was unable to study cookery as there were no local tertiary institutions offering it. As a result she attended the National University of Lesotho to study Law. She abandoned her Law Studies half-way through to pursue cooking and has never looked back.

She left for South Africa to do a one-year introductory cooking course at the Food

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Studio in Pretoria, where she landed her first job. She was later head-hunted by Moerdijks – a top South African restaurant. After twoyears she left to work for Rhodes Food Group in the Western Cape. Here she worked in the Wonderland Foods division which produces recipe dishes for Woolworths Food.

In 2006, Moteane left Rhodes to work for Royal Sechaba Food Services at The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy as project manager in the catering division. She lauds meeting Oprah as the highlight of her career.

She returned to Lesotho in 2009 to set up her own business venture. She now owns a consultancy company – Ska’s Kitchen – which has done work for many local companies.

This humble woman from Lesotho has risen to celebrity status through her talents – having cooked for Oprah Winfrey, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Miriam Makeba and Tito Mboweni, among others.

Awards 2014 - Winner SME Sector for Lesotho at CEO Magazine’s Africa’s Most Influential Women in Business and Government Awards 2014 - Winner Ambassador Category Finite Magazine’s Women Appreciation Awards 2013 - Winner Ambassador Category Finite Magazine’s Women Appreciation Awards 2012 - Winner Author Gourmand Best African Cookbook in the World 2011 - Winner Young Businesswoman - Mantsopa Communications

sundayexpress.co.ls www.bbc.com www.slowfoodfoundation.com

CHAPTER 3 Travel, Tours and Leisure

MINISTRY OF TOURISM

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Tourism Foreword from Lesotho Tourism Development Corporation CEO, Mr Mpaiphele D Maqutu Lesotho is very well positioned to be a must-visit destination to travellers seeking an ecotourism, adventure-filled, non-safari experience; the experience of a rich cultural heritage and diverse flora and fauna which birding enthusiasts and nature lovers truly find breathtakingly unforgettable.

The high altitude allows one to inhale the fresh mountain air while cleansing the lungs and rejuvenating the body, mind and soul.

At an altitude in excess of 3,400 metres above sea level with the lowest point in the country being above 1,488 metres above sea level, Lesotho has the highest lowest point in the world. It’s no wonder the country is called the Roof of Africa.

The single highest drop waterfall in Africa, Lesotho’s Maletsunyane Waterfall drops 192m with the highest commercially-run abseil recorded in the Guinness World Records.

The engineering wonder, Katse Dam was termed the biggest man-made dam (of the last century) further positioning Lesotho as a must visit destination to discerning travellers. These attractions and many others offer a magnificent opportunity to

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explore nature which remains unchanged by man, and to appreciate the beautiful natural landscapes of the towering Maluti Mountains.

Lesotho, ‘the Kingdom in the sky’ as it is affectionately termed, is home to the Roof of Africa Rally (which is the ‘mother’ of all off-road bike experiences), as well as the highest ski slope in Africa. Yes, this is not a miss-print; we are talking of skiing in Africa!

Lesotho is a malaria-free African destination which is safe and far from the madding crowd. Clear blue summer skies and snow-capped mountains in winter, coupled with flora and fauna mosaic covered landscapes in spring time, ensue that come autumn, the falling leaves make room for the new cycle to begin.

As one of only three remaining Kingdoms

in Africa, Lesotho boasts a humble culturally homogeneous people with smiles as wide as slices of watermelon to add to the hospitality of the adventure-filled ecotourism destination.

Believe it or not, this diamond shaped country is home to some of the best gems that are sold in Europe. The ‘Lesotho Promise’ is one of the best clear diamonds with a carat rating that makes other diamond mining nations look like novices. But wouldn’t you expect this from the highest country in Africa, which also happens to be the only country in the world that is completely surrounded by a single neighbour?

Yes, Lesotho is truly an enchanting kingdom in the sky. Right up there close to the heavens and truly far from the madding crowd.

Lesotho Tourism Development Corporation CEO Mr Mpaiphele D Maqutu

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Lesotho Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Culture Lesotho is a very beautiful country with friendly people, rich cultural heritage, beautiful panoramas and vistas, as well as breathtaking scenery.

ABOUT LESOTHO Capital City: Maseru Population: 2,2 million (385,369 in Maseru) Languages: Sesotho and English Currency: Loti, plural Maloti; at par with South African Rand G.D.P.: 5,9% (2013) Lesotho is a democratic, sovereign and independent country with the unique characteristic of being totally surrounded by its neighbour, the Republic of South Africa and is therefore well connected to major

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centres by air, road and rail. It is the only sovereign state in the world to be completely surrounded by one country.

Formerly a British protectorate until independence in 1966, the Kingdom of Lesotho is one of the three remaining monarchies in Africa, and one of the last true monarchies in the world.

With approximately 30,355km² of land in total, Lesotho is roughly the size of Belgium or Taiwan. The “Mountain Kingdom” is 1,388m above sea level at its lowest point and ranges up to 3,400m – the only country in the world with a territory above 1500m.

Lesotho is in the southern tip of Africa and enjoys a cool, temperate climate. Referred to as the “Switzerland of Africa”, it is endowed with an incredible vista of an often snowcapped range of mountains, called the Maluti.

Attractions and achievements The Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho conjures up images of wilderness and adventure, as it offers authentic nature and eco-tourism. Endless high altitude mountain passes alongside crystal clear mountain streams offer a remote challenge for outdoor adventurists.

Lesotho’s pursuits create one of the most varied adrenaline offerings in southern Africa - with fishing, 4x4 treks, quad biking, pony trekking, hiking and walking. The level of adventure is encapsulated in the 206m Guinness World Record highest abseil at the Maletsunyane Falls - the highest single drop waterfall in southern Africa (192m).

Lesotho is also home of the world renowned off-road bike endurance races, the Roof of Africa Rally, as well as the popular Afriski and Mountain Resort in Mahlasela. Lesotho’s mountains are capped with snow during the winter season, which

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is from May to August. Basotho Ponies are a very popular transport for villagers and tourists alike.

The Lesotho Highlands Water Project which harvests the country’s upstream surplus water is one of Africa’s largest and most ambitious civil engineering projects. Lesotho’s water is its greatest resource and is referred to by the Basotho as “White Gold”. The Lesotho Highlands Development Project was nominated by the South African Institute of Engineers as the millennium project because of its civil engineering magnitude and ingenuity.

The Katse Dam wall stands 185m, making it one of the tallest man-made structures and the highest dam in Africa. More than 90,000m³ of concrete per month was used to construct the dam. Another dam of notable achievement is the Mohale Dam. Other notable characteristics of Lesotho are its claims as being the home of the longest and highest bridge in the southern hemisphere as well as having the highest pub in the world at the Sani Top Chalet, which is 2,874m above sea level.

The world’s smallest fish, “Maloti Minow” is found only in Lesotho’s rivers.

Known as the “Roof of Africa” or the “edge of the world”, Lesotho’s Thabana Ntlenyana is the highest peak in southern Africa (3482m). Its high altitude means that Lesotho has remained bilharzia and malaria free and has the cleanest air in Africa.

Lesotho boasts a humble culturally

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homogeneous people with wide-stretching smiles to add to the hospitality of the adventure filled ecotourism destination.

Basotho people are known for being warm and friendly and are often seen warmly wrapped in their colourful Basotho blankets and iconic grass hats called ‘mokorotlo’.

Lesotho’s unique positioning gives it the advantage of offering a varied tourism experience – different from the usual safari experiences of southern Africa. The rich cultural heritage and diverse flora and fauna create unforgettable experiences.

The fresh mountain air fills the lungs of all who visit and rejuvenates the body, mind and soul.

Exploring Lesotho’s raw natural environment and beautiful landscapes presents the opportunity to explore nature unchanged by man. The clear blue skies of summer and its impressive afternoon thunderstorms are perfectly contrasted with the dusting of snow covering mountains in winter. The mosaic of flora and fauna in spring ensures a carpet of golden leaves in the autumn.

This diamond-shaped country is ironically home to some of the best gems sold in Europe. One of the best clear diamonds is known as ‘The Lesotho Promise’ and has an enviable carat rating.

Lesotho is truly an enchanting kingdom in the sky, nestled near the heavens and far from the madding crowd.

TEN THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN LESOTHO 1. The Mountains The Mountain Kingdom is abundant with spectacular, breathtaking mountain vistas.

View southern Africa’s highest summit, Thabana Ntlenyana (3482m), as well as the Drakensburg and Maluti Mountain ranges.

2. Unspoilt and Pristine nature Ideal for nature enthusiasts, Eco tourists, and adrenalin junkies, Lesotho allows for soft and extreme adventure experiences, such as: • 206m Abseil on the Maletsunyane Falls at • Semonkong; • Thin Air Mountain Bike Challenge; • 4x4 trailing; • Pony trekking; • Hiking; • Fishing.

3. Skiing in Africa Unique to Africa, Lesotho offers winter skiing when fields of snow in the Maluti and Drakensburg mountains appear, creating magnificent scenery and a haven for skiing.

4. Katse Dam Lesotho is the source of South Africa’s watershed of rivers. The Katse Dam, the engineering project of the decade, leaves many a visitor awestruck by its sheer size and beauty.

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5. A nation with a smile The Basotho people are warm, friendly and helpful. Lesotho is a safe and secure holiday destination, with little crime and unrest. Our visitor will always feel at home.

6. Rich in culture Cultural celebration is encapsulated in daily Basotho life through traditional song and dances, as well as games such as stick fighting and ‘moraba-raba’ (local chess).

Through interaction, visitors can access a privileged view of the distinctive cultural dress of the Basotho – including the worldrenowned ‘Mokorotlo’ hat and colourful blankets, as well as unique crafts made with grass, mohair, clay, leather, wood, sandstone, and bone. The Morija Arts & Cultural Festival is an annual arts and culture festival held in historic Morija, every October.

7. The Kingdom Menkhoaneng is the birthplace of King Moshoeshoe I, the founder of the Basotho nation. Thaba Bosiu, the Mountain fortress of Moshoeshoe I, and Matsieng, the royal village are also all worth visiting.

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8. Relics of a Pre-Historic Past Lesotho showcases a history dating back millions of years. Dinosaur footprints and rock paintings are found across Lesotho, including Subeng, Sekubi, and Quthing.

9. Sani Pass The top of this great pass from South Africa rewards weary travellers with a refreshing drink at The Highest Pub in Africa, lying at 2874m above sea level.

10. Kome Cave Village This cultural dwelling place dates back to 1842 and was once home to cannibals.

As a Ministry, we acknowledge that Safety and Security are vital to providing quality in tourism and encouraging repeat visits. More than any other economic activity, the success or failure of a tourism destination depends on being able to provide a safe and secure environment to its visitors.

It is therefore, our obligation as a country and as a nation to ensure that every visitor that comes into our country enjoys the most rewarding and interesting experience if we are to benefit from tourism.

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Tourism Investment Opportunities in Lesotho • Accommodation or integrated resort developments; • Boating and water recreation; • Heliports for viewing trips of maloti mountain range; • Health Retreats/hot springs; • Transport and communication; • Business call centres; • Golf estates; • Hospitality upgrades; • Traditional arts, crafts, pottery and wool/ mohair products; • Community-based pony trekking establishments; • Mountain biking, hiking and abseiling facilities; • High altitude sports training facilities; • Floriculture, agri-business and horticulture; • Entertainment establishments; • Ski-resorts, equipment and related services; • Camping sites and camping equipment; • Pony trekking and fly-fishing facilities and services; • 4x4 trail facilities and related service; • Parachuting and hot air-ballooning facilities and services; • Conferencing getaway venues.

Vision of the MTEC By 2008, The Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Culture (MTEC) will be a

leading ministry in ensuring a well-managed environment and preserved cultural heritage, making Lesotho a quality ecotourism destination for the betterment of the livelihood of Basotho.

By 2016, the Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Culture will be an effective and dynamic regulatory authority, delivering a unified approach to economic growth through responsible tourism development, conservation and promotion of Lesotho’s environmental and cultural assets.

Mission of the MTEC The MTEC is privileged to be the custodian of the environmental and cultural heritage on behalf of all Basotho.

Through facilitating responsible and sustainable tourism development, in partnership with the private sector and communities, together with effective marketing, MTEC will strive to enhance the attractiveness of Lesotho so that increased numbers of visitors may experience the Basotho warmth of hospitality, to the benefit of the economy.

The Ministry will uphold, with integrity, its duty of care towards all internal and external stakeholders and resources in the successful performance and delivery of its mandate The MTEC is committed to promote environmentally and culturally sustainable development, making Lesotho the number one tourism destination

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in the region through provision of high-quality service and creation of an enabling environment for private-sector driven and community-based tourism development.

Strategic Aims • A well-managed environment and preserved cultural heritage; • Eradication of HIV/AIDS infection in the ministry; • Make Lesotho a quality eco-tourism destination for the betterment of the livelihood of Basotho; • Reduction of poverty; • Creation of new jobs; • Quality and efficient delivery of services.

Services • Department of Tourism Services (Licensing) • Department of Environment Services (EIA & Pollution Control, Data Services, Education & Outreach, Bio-diversity Conservation Services) • Department of Culture Services • State Library Services MASERU Maseru is Lesotho’s bustling capital and is growing by the day. The capital of Lesotho as well as of the Maseru district, the city of Maseru sprawls near the country’s western border, on the Caledon river.

Maseru lies in a shallow valley at the foot of the Hlabeng-Sa-Likhama – the foothills of the Maloti Mountains.

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On the western side is a mix of modern corporate buildings, restaurants and quaint tourist attractions, the city’s ambience becomes more spontaneous and lively as you travel east, and reflects the rapid growth and urbanisation characteristic of many African cities.

History Its name meaning “Place of Red Sandstone”, Maseru was founded as a small police camp in 1869 following the conclusion of the Free State-Basotho Wars when Basutoland became a British protectorate. The camp was located 24 kilometres west of King Moshoeshoe’s stronghold at Thaba-Bosiu – the previous de facto capital. A busy market town soon grew around the area.

In 1884, following the Gun War and the burning of many buildings in Maseru, Basutoland was restored its status as a Crown colony, and Maseru was again made capital. It remained so when Basutoland gained Independence and became the Kingdom of Lesotho in 1966.

Prior to Independence Maseru remained relatively small; it was contained within well-defined colonial boundaries and had little room to grow. But after 1966 the city underwent rapid expansion; its area increased around sevenfold – from around 20 sq. km. to its current area of 138 sq. km.

– due to the incorporation of nearby periurban villages to the city proper.

Demographics Maseru’s population currently stands at over 225,000 – or around one-tenth of the population of Lesotho. The population stood at 28,000 at the 1966 census, and 110,000 at the 1986 census – demonstrating the rapid expansion of the city post-independence.

Economy Maseru’s positioning on Lesotho’s north/ western border with Lesotho facilitates access both to the major harbour of Durban as well as the academic and judicial centres of Bloemfontein. Johannesburg, South Africa’s business and industrial hub, is only an hour’s flight away.

Maseru’s commercial life is centred around two neighbouring business districts which have developed around Kingsway (the main thoroughfare) and serve as major centres of employment – one formal and one more informal.

Maseru’s economy is growing very rapidly particularly in terms of foreign investment and tourism, notably since Independence and once again after 1998 when political violence broke out.

Maseru’s industry is split into two main areas: The northern sector along Moshoeshoe Road is host to flour mills and other major companies; the southern sector (Thetsane district) houses mainly textile and footwear companies.

Architecture Most of Maseru’s traditional thatched-roof rondavels have long been replaced by modern housing and office blocks – some of which are designed with a hint of traditional architecture.

New buildings in the city centre include the LNDC building and the new Ministry of Health building, completed in late 2007.

Buildings destroyed in the 1998 political uprising have been rebuilt and retail tenants include Fruit & Veg City, Woolworths and Mr Price. The new Lehakoe National Sports Centre, situated between the central Bank of Lesotho and the colonial parliament building is equipped with tennis courts, swimming pools, conference centres, bars and gymnasiums.

In November 2009 Pioneer Mall opened, offering residents and tourists alike all the facilities of a modern shopping mall including a four-screen cinema, restaurants and a choice of popular and exclusive stores.

There remain some colonial era buildings around the city centre, most notably the Cathedral of Our Lady of Victories and the Anglican St. John’s Church. Other buildings of interest include the Royal Palace, Parliament Building, and State House.

Tourism and Culture Maseru offers visitors six major hotels – two of which, the AVANI Lesotho Hotel & Casino and AVANI Maseru, have casinos. The

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Basotho Hat curio/souvenir shop at the entrance to the city is a popular stop for tourists.

Most of Lesotho’s main tourist attractions: Lancer’s Gap, Sani Pass, the Afriski resort, Katse Dam, Thaba-Bosiu and the Maloti Mountains - are located a short distance from the capital. However – terrain is rugged so distances in Lesotho can be deceptive.

Those seeking cultural enrichment and to experience Basotho history and culture should take a trip to Morija Museum & Archives – particularly at the time of the annual Morija Festival. Morija is around a one-hour drive from Maseru.

Sports Lesotho’s national stadium, the mulitpurpose Setsoto Stadium, is located in Maseru: Capacity between 20,000 and 25,000 people. The stadium houses the national football team and is used for football matches – but also holds events in athletics.

Notable successful Maseru-based football teams include Matlama FC and the Royal Lesotho Defence Force team.

Tours operating from Maseru Whether your interests lie in majestic scenery, history, handicrafts or arts and culture, a variety of tours will take you from Maseru to places of interest, giving you lasting memories of Lesotho and all it has to offer:

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Maseru - Teyateyaneng - Kome: 94km (Historical Handicraft) Travel along the Berea Plateau, venue of the Moshoeshoe I versus Cathcart battle of 1852. View Prophet Matita’s grave at Bethania. Cross the Seqonoka River and find Matooane’s Fortress. Senyotong, is on the right hand side (presently Ha Souru).

Then make a stop at Teyateyaneng to see the gallery: Hatooa-Mose-Mosali, Jelang Basali, Setsoto Design and Ellelloang Basali Handicrafts. Join the route to Ha Matjotjo the famous cannibals’ hideout of Malimong can be located near Ha Matjotjo.

Bokhopo Mountain can be viewed, where a band of cannibals under Rakotsoane waylaid people in the 19th century. Taking a turn towards Pulane, is the impressive and somewhat mysterious village of Kome. It’s situated under a rock overhang, and was built around 1842. This unusual village is definitely worth a visit.

Maseru - Matsieng - Morija: 44km (Historical) This tour passes through Thota-ea-Moli, which is the former seat of Traditional Basotho Parliament at Fika le Mohala. Moshoeshoe I International Airport is also in this area. Then visit Matsieng, the King’s country home and Chief Letsie’s old village, with all its relics, followed by a walk along the slopes to follow dinosaur tracks. Then on to Morija, which is a largely unaltered village - the oldest in Lesotho. The village was built in 1843.

Maseru - Semonkong: 113km (Scenic) This tour passes through the first and second ranges of the Maloti where their unforgettable outlook gave Lesotho its famous tag “The Mountain Kingdom”.

Herdboys’ shelters within the wilderness can be seen by the wayside. The climax of this tour is the inspiring ‘Maletsunyane Waterfalls, which is one of the highest in the Southern Hemisphere at 192m.

Maseru - Morija - Malealea: 80km (Historical Scenic) The tour passes through the historically important Thota-ea-Moli (Fika-le-Mohala) and Moshoeshoe I International Airport, Morija and Ecumenical Centre (Mophato oa Morija).

Take the left fork from the main road at Motsekuoa, then turn right at Ha Makhakhe towords the Malealea Lodge offering pony rides and hikes to the nearest Bots’oela Falls, rock pools and Bushmen Rock Paintings in the Pitseng River gorge.

Maseru - Molimo Nthuse - Mohale Dam: 83km (Scenic, Pony Trekking) This tour takes you beyond the first range of Maloti and on to the foot of Thaba-Putsoa (Blue Mountain Range). The panoramic views of the majestic Blue Mountain is an unforgettable sight, with undulating mountains in the green, grassy slopes and gorges. Arrangements can be made at the Basotho Pony Project for an exciting

pony trekking excursion. Driving further on, one reaches the Mohale Dam, which was constructed on Senqu River.

Sehlabathebe National Park Sehlabathebe National Park is the national designated nature reserve in Lesotho and comprises 6,500 hectares at an average elevation of 2,400 metres. The park is ideal for hiking and bird-watching, and also contains unusual rock formations and alpine flora. Game is limited to antelope species but the scenery is awe-inspiring.

Maletsunyane Waterfall in the Park is one of the highest single drop waterfalls in the Southern Hemisphere – plummeting 186 metres into a spectacular gorge in clouds of spray visible from far.

Thaba-Bosiu Mountain The name Thaba-Bosiu means the ‘The Mountain at Night’. It was in July, 1824 when Moshoeshoe and his people took occupation of the mountain. He named the mountain Thaba-Bosiu as they arrived in the evening and worked throughout the night to secure it. As an intimidation tactic years later, Moshoeshoe and his people spread the news that at night the mountain grew larger. The mountain is flat-topped and is situated in the valley of the Phuthiatsana River. It is east of the junction with Mohokare or Caledon that divides Lesotho from the Free State in South Africa. It rises about 350 feet from the surrounding valley

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and its summit is surrounded by a belt of perpendicular cliffs – some 40-feet high on average.

Tšehlanyane National Park Tšehlanyane National Park is located deep in the front range of the Maloti Mountains, with headquarters at the foot of the Holomo Pass. The reserve owes its origin to the access road to the Hlotse tunnel and for the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP).

This protected area lies at the junction of the Tšehlanyane and the Holomo Rivers.

Over 5,600 hectares of extremely rugged mountain terrain is protected within this park, which includes one of the very few indigenous types of woodland in Lesotho.

The reserve also encompasses a reasonable proportion of mountain ‘fynbos’; much of it is highly endemic.

Liphofung Nature Reserve The cave of Liphofung Nature Reserve occupies an important place in Lesotho history. Liphofung, “place of the eland” cave, is the smallest of the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority reserves at about four hectares in size. The cave is a large overhang in the Clarens sandstones, which is a typical feature of the Lesotho lowlands region. This particular site lies in a tributary stream valley of the Hololo River just off the main route from Butha-Buthe to Oxbow and Mokhotlong.

Access is through a newly constructed concrete road and is suitable for all vehicles.

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A small visitors’ centre incorporating a display of Basotho culture and San rock art has been developed, along with ablution facilities and a small shop. The site is proving to be a popular destination with school groups and tourists en route to Oxbow.

Lesotho Highlands Snow skiing is possible on the slopes below the Mahlasela Pass in winter with the New Oxbow Lodge nearby and Afriski, renting skis and boots. There are three slopes and two ski lifts, while several alternative activities are on hand in the summer months. The resort of Afriski is four and a half hours’ drive from Johannesburg, South Africa, via the steep tarred Moteng pass and the Mahlasela pass – and is one of only two skiing resorts in Africa.

OTHER THINGS TO DO IN LESOTHO Horse riding The traditional method of Basotho travel, pony treks are available for one hour or up to seven days across the mountain escarpments, staying in the high altitude Basotho villages. The hardy sure-footed Basotho ponies provide the best way to see the rugged terrain. Longer or shorter treks can be arranged to suit your schedule and stamina.

4x4 The Lesotho 4x4 trail starts in Himeville (in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa) and ends in

Fouriesburg (in the Free State, South Africa), having crossed the daunting Sani Pass and much of Lesotho en route. This 400-kilometre journey can be done in two days, but it is advised to take longer to make the most of the scenery.

Hiking The Giant’s Cup trail from the Sani Pass Hotel to Bushman’s Nek is a magical hike.

This trail provides a panorama of peaks, yet at the same time is one of the more accessible in the region (being relatively flat). It can be reached by a hike up any of the impressive peaks en route or Thabana Ntlenyana, Southern Africa’s highest point at 3,482 metres.

Hikers can also follow the organised pony trekking routes, the starting points being Malealea Lodge, Semonkong Lodge, Roma Trading Post Guest House, Ramabanta Trading Post Lodge and Adventures, Molimo Nthuse, and the LHDA Phase 1A area and nature reserves.

Culture Lesotho’s history can be explored at leisure with visits to San rock art, dinosaur footprints and cultural villages where the rich local culture of the Basotho people can be experienced.

Sources: www.southafrica.net Wikipedia Visitlesotho.travel

Contact Details: Floor 6 and 7 Post Office Building Kingsway Road Maseru Tel: +266 2231 3034 / +266 2231 1767 Fax: +266 2231 0194 Email: info@mtec.gov.ls

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Hit the slopes at Afriski

One of only two ski resorts on the African continent Situated in Lesotho’s majestic Maluti Mountains, 3,222m above sea level and only 80km from the South African border, Afriski attracts thousands of visitors each year – and has established itself as a premier skiing and snowboarding destination.

Clientele are a mix of seasonal residents and first-time visitors from within and outside Africa - who arrive to take part in or watch the various international ski and snowboarding competitions that take place in the winter months.

Bronwyn McCarthy of Afriski, a ski and snowboarding instructor for many years, advises that “the best time to visit is towards the end of July, when the snow is at its thickest and the school holiday rush is over”. The resort is, however, beautiful at any time of the year.

Bronwyn stresses that it is now compulsory for all novices to take lessons before they are allowed on the slopes, to avoid unnecessary accidents. She adds that all instructors at Afriski have

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international qualifications in skiing and snowboarding.

She adds that it is advisable to book skiing lessons in advance during busy times, such as early June, when most South African schools are on holiday.

Lessons can also be booked at the instructors’ office on arrival.

Other information for visitors to Afriski: • Afriski is about five hours’ drive from Johannesburg. Travellers must cross the Caledonspoort Border Post between South Africa and Lesotho, at Fouriesburg in the Free State Province.

• Your own or a hired 4x4 vehicle is advised.

• Ski passes start from R350 per person per day. Season passes are available.

• Pack warm clothes – but don’t forget sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses as well, as the sun can be fierce.

• Ski and snowboarding equipment can be hired from Afrikski.

• Various forms of accommodation include self-catering chalets and camp-sites.

• All meals are provided at the resort.

• The King’s Cup Snow Championships take place in early July.

• There are plenty of outdoor and artistic activities near the area.

See you at Afriski!

Email: bookings@afriksi.net Source: www.southafrica.net

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Ministry of Home Affairs “We, the Ministry of Home Affairs are committed in excellent service delivery by providing the best migration and identification services which will earn us respect, satisfaction, confidence and support from our clients.”

MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

Vision The Ministry of Home Affairs shall be a worldclass Ministry in the provision of high-quality services to protect status, values, culture of Basotho nation that contribute to the socioeconomic development of the country.

Strategic Aims The Ministry has identified reviewing of Births and Deaths, issuance of National Identification Cards, control movement of citizens and non-citizens into and out of Lesotho. Develop policy on internal Migration and maintain livestock registration as its strategic aim. To gain competitive advantage the Ministry intends to achieve the following: • To increase the speed of service delivery to the greatest indeed;

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• To increase annual revenue collection; • To reduce annual excessive expenditure levels; • To increase the speed of issuing all travel documents; • To stop stock theft in the country.

Cherished values • Commitment, • Honesty, • Professionalism, • Discipline, • Transparency, • Innovation, • Creativity, • Integrity, • Empathy, • Teamwork,

• Accountability, • Impartiality, • Firmness.

Slogan Dedicated to excellent service: “Bosebeletsi bo hloahloa ka boiketlo”.

Ministry of Home Affairs Tel: +266 22325049 Fax: +266 22313853 Email: hkoali@homeaffairs.gov.ls

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CHAPTER 4 Hotels and Lodges

Maliba Lodge

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Maliba Lodge Lesotho Destination in the Sky

Maliba Lodge lies within the Ts’ehlanyane National Park in Lesotho. The Main Lodge features an exclusive lounge and dining room for Mountain Lodge guests with private decks, accompanied by a large well-stocked bar and general lounge and restaurant area which are warmed by open fireplaces.

The satellite TV is put to good use on those snowy winter nights when the outdoor viewing deck and dining courtyard, as well as several outdoor Boma areas are a little less frequented. The warmth of the Lodge is added to with quality furniture pieces and fixtures, and adornments of Basotho artwork.

Maliba Mountain Lodge – 5-Star Accommodation There are six large and exclusive stone and thatch luxury chalets. Each one has its own luxurious bath with a view, fireplace, and private patio and viewing deck overlooking the indigenous forest and Maluti Mountains.

There are also under-floor heating, wall

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panels, electric blankets, dressing gowns and heated towel rails.

Maliba River Lodge – 3-Star Accommodation There are four double story large stone and thatch river lodges that have four bedrooms each and can accommodate up to eight people. The lodges are located on a scenic riverbank within the National Park about 1km from the Main Lodge. The lodges are self-catering and come with fully-equipped kitchens.

Riverside Huts – 3-Star Accommodation The Riverside Huts are cosy round traditional Rondavels ideal for two people. They come

with en-suite bathrooms, comfortable Queen-sized beds and are located next to a pristine river swimming hole.

Conference Centre Ideal for workshops, conferences, weddings, and other special events, the Centre features accommodation with en-suite bathrooms, fireplaces, a comfortable lounge, large restaurant meals area, undercover outdoor dining area with a view, heating and air conditioning, and Satellite TV. Massage Therapy and Spa Nestled amidst a forest of natural indigenous Che Che woodlands deep in the Royal kingdom of Lesotho, you will find an

indulgent private spa designed to deliver truly tranquil relaxation treatments. Our newly established Private Forest Spa is a serene retreat for anyone in search of true luxuries, peace and privacy. Perched overlooking the sweeping mountain valleys, guests are treated with a number of therapeutic massage treatments.

Restaurant The Lodge Restaurant is open for breakfast from 08:00 – 10:00, Lunch from 13:00 – 14:30 and Dinner from 19:00 – 21:30. The Restaurant offers a limited selection of delectable varying meal options, rotated daily according to seasonal availability. Breakfasts feature a continental breakfast followed by a selection of hot breakfast options. Lunch and Dinner will treat diners to an assortment of tantalising freshly prepared starters followed by sumptuous main course and enticing dessert options. The restaurant caters to day visitors seeking a delicious meal on prior booking.

There is a wide range of wines and cocktails on offer to complement the meals, including a Guava Mojito with crushed mint and Bacardi. The Lodge Bar is open all day and closes late.

Activities Maliba Lodge offers many activities for those who need more than just a relaxing stay in luxury. There are at least five walking tracks in the immediate area, including The Waterfall Trail, The Circular Route, The Cave Trail, Lower Trail and Upper Trail.

Pony trekking holidays on the hardy Basotho ponies are immensely popular and a fantastic way of exploring Lesotho’s beautiful rugged terrain. Guided treks are available alone or in groups.

The park has four major rivers, numerous waterfalls, rock pools, and swimming holes.

A nearby valley known as the Valley Of The Pools has over 16 deep swimming holes over a 5-km stretch. A spectacular triple waterfall, Lesaloto, is also only a four-hour return hike from the lodge. Maliba also has its own private natural swimming hole in a private natural setting with lounges, umbrellas and towels.

Those interested in 4x4 trips will find suitably challenging routes in the immediate vicinity of Ts’ehlanyane National Park.

From the Mountain Pippit to the majestic Bearded Vulture, there is plenty for the avid birdwatcher to see during their stay at Maliba.

The best way to experience the Basotho way is to visit one of the local villages or schools and see the simple everyday life and culture of the Basotho people first hand.

Maliba Community Trust One of the driving influences in establishing a world-class tourist lodge in Lesotho was as a way of providing employment and upliftment of the local people and empowering them through skills transfer. The Maliba Community Trust consists of representation from the local community and Maliba. Its goal is to identify, plan and finance projects that will help empower the local community.

Guests are encouraged to contribute time, skills or money to ensure the success of these projects. Some initial projects have included: • Establishment of community forest outside of park;

• Free range chicken and egg project; • Sponsorship of school agricultural projects; • Purchase and operation of a module clinic with the assistance of the local St Dennis Health clinic for antenatal care, dispersing HIV anti-viral drugs, TB medication, etc.; • Establishment of a local community centre for HIV orphans and vulnerable community members.

maliba-lodge.com

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AVANI Lesotho Hotel & Casino For over 25 years, AVANI’s dazzling array of hotels, resorts and casinos have set the benchmark across Southern Africa and beyond. With offerings ranging from sun-baked safari experiences and sub-tropical beach getaways, to dazzling gaming thrills and extravaganza shows featuring international stars, AVANI is, unquestionably, the One Destination.

Dreamy Nights AVANI LESOTHO HOTEL & CASINO is situated on a hillside overlooking Maseru, the capital of Lesotho. The elegant, modern building, constructed from sandstone, is designed to give guests a spectacular outlook across the city towards faraway mountains. The stylish bedrooms and suites are decorated to give an elegant, chic feel and are equipped with all the comforts and facilities of a first-class international hotel.

Something for Everyone Tempt your tastebuds with delicious buffet dishes at Café Nala or experience true taste sensations at the Ying Tao Grill, an Asian Fusion restaurant where Chinese and Thai influences will thrill your tastebuds. The stylish bars and lobby

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are a favourite rendezvous for family and friends. The tranquil serenity of Lesotho’s landscapes and the glamour, thrills and fun of our gaming areas, make an irresistible combination for those wanting a truly memorable break.

Let Lady Luck Smile Down On You AVANI LESOTHO HOTEL & CASINO, offering a superior, intimate gaming experience, is a magnet to casino lovers from all over Southern Africa and beyond.

The casino offers Slots, Blackjack and American Roulette for your gaming pleasure.

AVANI Lesotho Hotel & Casino Tel +266 22243000 Fax +266 22310104 www.avanihotels.com

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AVANI Maseru Hotel Maseru, the capital of Lesotho, is the major gateway for travellers either arriving by air or by road and is also a convenient base from which tourists can explore the Western and Northern attractions of Lesotho - the mountain kingdom of Southern Africa.

A land of tribesmen on sure footed ponies, cascading waters, snow capped peaks, crisp mountain air and some of the finest trout fishing in Africa. In the heart of this unique environment, yet only a short drive from Bloemfontein or a one hour direct flight from Johannesburg, lies the tranquility of our two internationally acclaimed hotels, each with its own character and its own blend of hospitality with the common theme of world-class service and high standards uniting both.

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Quiet Serenity AVANI MASERU formally known as MASERU SUN, built in 1969, is situated in an idyllic spot alongside the Caledon River with an enchanting swimming pool which meanders around the outdoor entertainment area.

The extensive and lush, park-like garden offers guests a foretaste of the peace and tranquility they will encounter while on holiday in Lesotho.

A Taste of Africa There’s a dish for every palate at the AVANI MASERU. Succumb to an endless supply of tantalising treats in the Mohokare Restaurant as you soak up the views from its namesake, the meandering Mohokare River. Indulge in both tasty dishes and spectacular views of the Caledon Valley from the Mohokare Lounge or soak up the sun while enjoying a poolside cocktail and snacks on the Katse Terrace.

Business and Pleasure AVANI’s Conference Centre can accommodate small or large groups from boardroom meetings for 10 delegates to conferences of up to 250 delegates and formal dinners for 200 guests. The Convention Centre is a state-of-the-art facility and our professional team will help arrange an unforgettable conference or event.

AVANI MASERU conference rooms

provide for a great variety of functions, ranging from boardroom meetings for 10 delegates to conferences of up to 400 delegates and formal dinners for 300 guests.

Indoor and outdoor wedding locations offer you the perfect celebration for your big day.

Indulge yourself and be pampered with a range of health, skin and beauty treatments in the elegantly furnished

Health Spa located at AVANI as well as at the pool side entertainment area at AVANI MASERU. For the more energetic, a fully equipped gym and sauna are available.

AVANI MASERU Hotel Tel +266 22312434 Fax +266 22310158 www.avanihotels.com

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Blue Mountain Inn (Pty) Ltd

Where our smiles are as wide as our mountains.

Blue Mountain Inn and Conference is a delightful retreat centre situated in the town of Teyateyaneng, a short drive from the capital, Maseru. The hotel offers first-class facilities for both holidaymakers and the business community.

The hotel is ideally situated for tourists to visit the national heritage site, “Kome Caves” and to visit the many tapestry weavers situated in Teyateyaneng. It has 70 elegantly furnished, en-suite bedrooms.

Set in enchanting gardens, it is one of the oldest hotels in Lesotho, established in colonial times.

Ideally situated 40km from Maseru, the capital of Lesotho, Blue Mountain Inn is positioned just close enough to town, yet away from the hustle and bustle of the capital city, Maseru. The hotel offers huge conferencing facilities with five conference halls and a boardroom. The hotel has lush gardens which are ideal for weddings, private functions or just to catch up with friends. The restaurant serves both buffets for conferences or an à la carte menu. Blue Mountain Inn is famous for its wood fired, mouthwatering pizzas.

Social and Corporate responsibility We believe in supporting personal and professional growth opportunities for our team members and business partners. We strive to deliver a wonderful experience for our guests and to foster a diverse and inclusive culture. We help our communities around us and work to prosper through job creation, local sourcing, and economic development.

Hotel Specifications Number of Rooms: 70

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Sitting Capacity in Restaurant: 64 – extendable to 125 Number of Bars: 3 Number of Conference Halls: 5 Other facilities: Swimming pool, major banks and internet café within close proximity. The hotel also has a huge park which can be used for recreational activities and motivational field exercises.

Product Mix The hotel offers first-class wining and dining facilities. The restaurant has an inbuilt pizza oven, boasting the best wood-fired pizza in the country.

There are three bars within the premises, to meet the preference of customers.

There are five conference halls, equipped with PA systems and projectors and Wi-Fi to meet modern conferencing requirements.

The halls all have heating facilities.

The hotel has 70 en-suite rooms, ranging from single, double to triple rooms.

All rooms are carpeted and have DSTV facilities.

We are capable of hosting high-profile conferences. Our experience ranges from hosting the entire Government of Lesotho, led by The Prime Minister’s Office to hosting the UN Lesotho annual retreat conferences.

The hotel’s lush garden makes it the ideal location for weddings and other functions.

Our huge park on the outskirts of our property. This venue has a built-in stage, ideal for concerts and other functions.

Our customers’ safety is our concern, the hotel premises are housed within a secured perimeter fence with 24-hour security at your disposal. Covered parking is available for residents. The hotel also has a generator on standby, which is capable of running all the facilities and 50 rooms.

Contact Details: Address: Po Box 7, Teyateyaneng 200, Lesotho Tel/Fax: +266 22500362 Email: info@bmilesotho.com www.bmilesotho.com

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Mountain View Hotel (Pty) Ltd

Where our smiles are as wide as our mountains.

Mountain View Hotel, Leribe, is a haven of hospitality in the north of Lesotho, 100 kilometres from the capital, Maseru.

Nestling peacefully in the spectacular and scenic highlands, Mountain View Hotel provides a welcoming and restful base from which to explore nearby wonders such as the world famous and breathtakingly beautiful Katse Dam; the majestic Mafika Lisiu pass; one of the most exciting trips in Lesotho; the Liphofung Cave Heritage Site; and the Ts’ehlanyane National Park. A trip along the Moteng Pass with its traditional thatch roofed villages of Moteng and Khamane makes for another wonderful day trip into the mountains, en-route to the Muela Dam and Hydro Power Station. The hotel has 90 en-suite rooms, including self-catering chalets. There are budget and up-market rooms available. With

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three large conference halls, the hotel is able to meet all your conferencing needs.

Hotel Specifications Number of Rooms: 90 Number of Chalets:14 Number of Self Catering Chalets: 4 Sitting Capacity in Restaurant: over 100 Number of Bars: 2 Number of Conference Halls: 3 Other facilities: Swimming pool, major banks and Wi-Fi facilitiies. Covered parking is available for residents. The hotel also has a generator on standby, which is capable of running the entire hotel.

Product Mix There are two bars within the premises, to meet the preference of customers.

There are three conference halls, equipped to meet modern conferencing requirements.

The halls all have heating facilities.

The hotel has 90 en-suite rooms, ranging from single, double to executive rooms. All rooms are carpeted and have DStv facilities.

We are the conference venue of choice.

The serenity and peacefulness exuding from the hotel will amaze you. Over 54 of the rooms are newly built while most of the remaining were upgraded over the past two years. The rooms are quite large and spacious.

Mountain View Hotel Address: Mountain View Hotel, Po Box 14, Hlotse, Leribe 400, Lesotho.

Tel: +266 22400559 Fax: +266 22400090 Email: info@mvhlesotho.com www.mvhlesotho.com

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Hotel Mount Maluti (Pty) Ltd

Where our smiles are as wide as our mountains.

Hotel Mount Maluti is set in exquisitely lush surrounds at the foot of the Maluti Mountains in the town of Mohales Hoek. It has 70 en-suite bedrooms and a swimming pool. The hotel is a sought-after venue for functions and conferences, accommodating up to 120 delegates.

Hotel Specifications Number of Rooms: 70 Sitting Capacity in Restaurant: up to 125 Number of Bars: 2 Number of Conference Halls: 3 Other facilities: Swimming pool. Major Banks and internet cafĂŠ within close proximity. Secure parking with armed guards. The hotel premises are secured by a perimeter fence. The hotel also has a generator on standby, which is capable of running the entire hotel.

Product Mix The hotel offers first-class wining and dining facilities. The restaurant has an in-built pizza oven (wood fired).

The hotel has two bars within the premises, a private bar and a cozy public bar, equipped with pool tables, darts, and huge televisions to enjoy the soccer.

There are three conference halls, equipped to meet modern conferencing requirements.

The halls all have heating facilities.

The hotel has 70 en-suite rooms, ranging from executive single to doubles. All rooms are carpeted and have DStv facilities.

We are a proud sponsor of The Annual Horse Race held in Mohales Hoek.

The hotel is also a favourable wedding reception area in the Southern Part of Lesotho.

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Hotel Mount Maluti Tel: +266 22785224/28785224 Fax: +266 22785341 Email: info@hmmlesotho.com www.hmmlesotho.com

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CHAPTER 5 Arts and Culture

History, Culture, Arts and Crafts

HISTORY AND CULTURE Original inhabitants The original inhabitants of the area now known as Lesotho were the San – as evidenced by the many examples of their fascinating rock art. Due to their smaller numbers, hunter-gatherer lifestyle and lack of weapons, the San were easily displaced by successive waves of both Bantu and European tribes.

The Sotho clans under King Moshoeshoe I The history of the people of Lesotho is a proud one. The ancestors of the Sotho have lived in Southern Africa since about the 5th Century CE. The Sotho nation emerged from the accomplished diplomacy of King Moshoeshoe I, who gathered together disparate clans of Sotho and Tswana origin that had dispersed across Southern Africa.

Moshoeshoe’s inspired leadership helped

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his small nation survive the dangers which destroyed other South African kingdoms during the 19th century – notably the Zulu hegemony, the inward expansion of the Voortrekkers and the designs of imperial Britain.

In 1822, King Moshoeshoe established his capital at Butha-Buthe, an easily defendable mountainous area in the northern Drakensberg, laying the foundations for the modern Kingdom of Lesotho.

Basutoland Protectorate and Independence In 1868, after losing the western lowlands to the Boers, King Moshoeshoe appealed to Queen Victoria to proclaim Basutoland a protectorate.

The British administration was placed in Maseru, the site of Lesotho’s present-day capital.

Britain’s protection ensured that repeated attempts by the neighbouring Voortrekker

Orange Free State, and later the Republic of South Africa, to absorb all or part of Basutoland, were unsuccessful. In 1966, Basutoland attained Independence, becoming the Kingdom of Lesotho.

Lesotho Royal Family Lesotho is one of only three African countries which retain a Royal Family. The reigning monarch, King Letsie III is the great-grandson of Moshoeshoe I. The inhabitants of Lesotho are bonded by a deep reverence for their Royal Family and a fierce determination to remain an independent nation, despite their reliance on surrounding South Africa for transport routes.

Population homogeneity The Sotho ethnic group comprises around 85% percent of Lesotho’s population of 2,3 million - together with a small proportion of people of Asian and European origin.

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This homogeneity has allowed Lesotho to avoid much of the civil strife that has plagued other African nations – where national and ethnic boundaries do not always correspond.

The Mountain Kingdom – “Switzerland of Africa” Lesotho - a unique and complex small country about the size of Maryland - is one of Africa’s best-kept secrets. The landscape is stunning and defies most stereotypes about Africa. In some areas the land is reminiscent of the south-western United States, in others the Swiss Alps – even in parts the Tibetan plateau. The country is a paradise for hikers and mountain bikers, with hardly any fences, sweeping mountain ranges and open land in all directions.

The country also boasts a first-class skiing resort patronised by local, South African and international visitors during winter – and is famous for its annual ‘Roof of Africa’ motorcycle endurance rally which always draws crowds of excited spectators.

Culture and Lifestyle Think ‘Lesotho’ and you think rugged, snowcapped mountains, valleys strewn with pink-and-white cosmos flowers, hardy riders on hardier Basotho ponies, agile herdboys as young as five or six guarding their flocks, the ubiquitous, colourfully designed blankets worn as cloaks by men and women - and of course the iconic Basotho hat.

Basotho riders on their ponies can frequently be seen negotiating craggy mountain roads and tracks which would give most of us vertigo! But both riders and ponies are used to them and the sturdy mounts rarely lose their footing.

Basotho Blankets and Hats The intricately designed blanket patterns have different meanings for the men and women who wear them, and have been adopted by fashion designers in the world’s most sophisticated capitals.

Prince Harry’s model girlfriend was once photographed wearing a large scarf draped around her waist, featuring a maize design inspired by Basotho blankets. The scarves were specially created by Lily and Lionel as a fund-raising effort for the well-known Sentebale charity, launched jointly by Britain’s Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho.

The Basotho hat, a conical woven hat with a distinctive top-knot, is a symbol of Lesotho’s unification. Its shape depicts a mountain-top – Mount Qiloane, next to Thaba-Bosiu – “The Mountain at Night” the famous mountain stronghold of King Moshoeshoe I. Traditional Lifestyle The western border of Lesotho – which includes the capital, Maseru, has one of the highest population densities in Africa – yet some 80% of the population live in villages

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of fewer than 250 people – a figure that is not too far off the 150 that is considered the ideal “circle of acquaintanceship” for humans. Numbers much greater are partly responsible for the stress of living in big cities!

The cattle pen (kraal) is the nucleus of family groups who build their huts in a spaced fashion around the pen. Traditional huts are constructed of mud and dung walls with thatched roofs. These “rondavels” are often decorated with brightly painted designs. Each village has a meeting place or “khotla” where business is conducted.

The areas around the villages are owned in common by the people and the land is assigned by the chief for family farming.

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A three-stone fireplace in the family courtyard is the focal point of the Basotho women’s daily activity. Here they prepare the pot of cornmeal porridge (pap) which is their staple food. Usually a sauce of peas, chopped greens, or other vegetables accompanies the thick porridge – on special occasions a chicken or other meat is added to the pot.

During the summer, local peaches and other small, hard fruits add variety to the diet. In winter, family members sit around the three-stone fireplace and roast ears of dried corn, telling stories. The Basotho are great raconteurs!

A home-brewed beer (joala) is prepared in a large vat placed on the three-stone fireplace.

Joala is the centre of informal neighbourhood gatherings, and provides a small income for the family. Milk is often served as a soured drink.

Marriage, Family and Kinship Lesotho is a fascinating blend of past and present, traditional and modern beliefs and practices. While church ceremonies are customary for weddings, the practice of extracting lobola (brideswealth) from the groom’s family continues – making a family of daughters a lucrative proposition – this in contrast with many cultures worldwide. In turn, the bride becomes the “property” of the groom – and leaves her own family to live with the family of her husband. She then

becomes a makhoti (daughter-in-law) and has to dress modestly, perform domestic chores and obey her in-laws.

Domestic Unit The domestic unit can consist of any and all members of the extended family. Often second or third cousins become “brothers” or “sisters” – while aunts and uncles are referred to as “mothers” or “fathers”. Frequently too, grandmothers become official mothers.

Basotho society is a good example of the African maxim: “It takes a village to raise a child.”

Kin Groups The clans of the Basotho are often named

for wild animals. The line of descendants is though the male, and members of the same clan are allowed to marry relatives as close as cousins.

Urban Lifestyle Maseru is a modern city catering for government departments, businesses and tourists alike. There are numerous restaurants offering various types of cuisine – as well as curio shops and modern shopping malls.

Lesotho has a wide variety of light industries which include tyre-retreading, tapestry weaving, diamond processing and production of textiles, electric lighting, candles, explosives, furniture and fertilizers.

Lesotho enjoys trade relations with South Africa, Botswana, Swaziland, Namibia, North America, and Europe. Imported items are primarily corn, clothing, building materials, vehicles, petroleum products, machinery and medicines. Exports include clothing, furniture, footwear and wool products.

ARTS AND CRAFTS Basketwork The Basotho are known for their creativity and of the traditional crafts, the one most commonly seen in Lesotho today is grassweaving. Basotho women throughout the country display great talent in weaving baskets, hats, brooms, home-brewed

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beer strainers and floor mats – and with an abundance of diverse grasses in the mountain highlands, they are very rarely short of materials.

Woven hats and brooms are still commonly used by most Lesotho residents – even the wealthiest – as they are far more economical than store-bought ones. Most Basotho homes have a minimum of three brooms, for various parts of the family compound – one for inside the house, one for the latrine, and another for the courtyard. And almost all cars display a Basotho hat in the rear window.

Baskets used to be common household objects in Lesotho. Enormous storage baskets used to be woven to keep various beans and grains – while smaller, more decorative baskets were created for collecting fruits and vegetables or for winnowing grains. Now of course, it is more economical to use enamel or plastic containers – which tend to outlast grass baskets, yet fall very much short on the scores of grace and beauty.

Joala (traditional beer) strainers and floor mats are also sadly becoming things of the past – they are now created primarily for decorative purposes or for the tourist market.

The floor mats were previously used as beds – and occasionally still are by the elderly, who find them healthy and comfortable.

Pottery Despite the popularity of easily available factory-made crockery, Lesotho’s potters

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continue with their traditions with the aim of selling to tourists. Particularly popular in villages are the wide array of chicken sculptures decorated in shiny enamel-based paint in traditional patterns.

Beadwork Clay beads are commonly made by Basotho women, and strung into elaborate necklaces which are worn on important occasions calling for traditional dress. Colourful plastic and glass bead necklaces are also made.

Molamus Stick-fighting is an important part of Basotho male culture – and a vital rite of passage for herdboys, who practice their skills endlessly among themselves.

Molamus, with their intricately woven colourful wire adornments, are the sticks used for this martial art.

Litema Litema designs are common in some areas on the round thatched homes known as rondavels. This artistic tradition of etching complex, abstract designs on the exterior (and sometimes interior) walls and homes is unique in that it has never been a commodity for sale. Litema was, perhaps, Lesotho’s first purely aesthetic art. Although less frequently seen due to the proliferation of cement-block homes and tin roofs, Litema is still a source of great pride in rural villages, where it is a way of expressing individual creativity.

Mohair Weaving The weaving of mohair carpets and rugs, wall hangings, table runners and bags is a craft which Basotho women took to their hearts in the mid-20th Century. From the start, they showed a great facility for this work which not only allowed them to express their creativity and manual dexterity, but became an excellent way of supplementing family incomes – and in some cases supporting their extended families.

Lesotho mohair weavings have become the distinctive Lesotho art form. They are acclaimed for their high quality and creative designs.

The mohair comes from local goats, and business owners trained hundreds of Basotho women in carding, spinning, dyeing and weaving until mohair weaving

became the dominant craft of Lesotho.

Today, there are seven mohair weaving businesses in the country – all but one run by Basotho women.

The town of Teyateyaneng (or TY as it is known) with four major weaving businesses, has become the craft centre of Lesotho.

Other weaving businesses are located in Maseru and just north of TY, at Leribe.

Sheepskin slippers and rugs, leatherworks, jewellery and tie-dye/batik are also lucrative local crafts much sought-after by locals and tourists alike.

Many Basotho are turning to crafts as a reliable source of income.

Visual Arts Previously, there were only a handful of self-taught, successful artists like Tsepiso

Lesenyeho with a reputation that made Lesotho proud – but with many young Basotho returning from foreign schools with skills in ceramics, painting, sculpture and drawing, this is changing.

The Government, recognising the talent pool it has in the county, is currently investigating ways for artists to collaborate and promote their work.

en.wikipedia.org everyculture.com africancrafts.com

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Morija Museum & Archives Morija Museum & Archives collects valuable documentation and material artefacts of Lesotho/Basotho for purposes of exhibition, teaching, research and publishing. The museum also works on a range of arts and culture projects, as well as heritage and community-based tourism initiatives.

Morija Archives picture of the 1909 Delegation sent by the Paramount Chief Letsie II, to London, to oppose incorporation of Lesotho into the new Union of South Africa. The delegation is composed of the following councillors/ advisors and chiefs: Councillors in Back Row: Dyke Rafa (Matsieng); Bernard Matete (Morija); Philip Mochekoane Molise (Secretary to the Paramount Chief, from Morija) and Manama Molapo (Leribe); Chiefs in Front Row: Mojela Letsie (Tebang, Mafeteng); Masopha II (Berea); Seeiso Letsie (Head of Delegation, Matelile); Leshoboro Majara (Berea)

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Morija Museum was formally established in 1956 based upon the Dieterlen family ethnographic and historical collections together with the more recent palaeontological and geological specimens of the Ellenbergers. Together these provided the main pillars for the Museum collections which have continued growing over the past 60 years thanks to many generous contributors.

Combined together in 1989 under one roof with Morija’s rich and extensive archival collections, Morija Museum & Archives (MMA) represents an important tradition extending back to the 1830s. These collections form the basis for research and publishing, as well as exhibitions and educational programmes for schools, visitors and tourists.

Other MMA initiatives have made a great impact in the arts and culture, the most notable being Maeder House Art Gallery, the Morija Arts Centre, the annual Morija Arts & Cultural Festival, and the nation-wide School Cultural Competitions. Soon a digital technology centre (The Hub) will open to further enhance the skills of youth and others, together with the Arts Centre.

Fertility Dolls

Morija Archives

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Traditional wooden milk pails - merula

The Museum has helped develop and encourage a wider range of tourism services and products in the greater Morija area, including the Museum Tea Room (CafĂŠ Mojo), Picnic Area, Amphitheatre and Heritage Park for larger events; tours of historic Morija and dinosaur footprints, walking trails, birdwatching and pony-trekking; as well as guest houses, home-stays, village experiences, cultural activities, catering services, and art/ craft production.

MMA is also involved in heritage and community-based tourism initiatives at Masitise Cave House Museum in the far south of Lesotho, Maphutseng and other sites. It is now working with the Royal Archives & Museum Matsieng to carry out a heritage-mapping exercise in the MorijaMatsieng area. Consultancy work has been undertaken at a range of other heritage sites, including Thaba-Bosiu National Monument.

Dinosaur femur, from Maphutseng, on display at Morija Museum

Litema patterns

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Collections Morija Museum’s exhibits range from the formation of the universe, to continental drift, geological formations, and dinosaur fossils, through to various hunter-gatherer cultures, as well as a great deal about the Basotho people, their history and culture, both material and intangible. Exhibits also include various large and smaller mammals that inhabit(ed) Lesotho, bird species, and reptiles. Art is also featured, including some of the outstanding sculptures of Samuel Makoanyane from the 1930s/early 1940s.

Puseletso Seema at Morija Museum

Museum Exhibits

The Morija Archives contain tens of thousands of documents dating from the 1820s until the current time, focusing largely on Lesotho/the Basotho. These documents cover a very wide range of topics, and researchers from many disciplines have located valuable information here. A complete catalogue of documentation at the archives is being developed, and the most important documents are being digitised so that these can be placed on-line in order to facilitate research (and preservation).

year dealing with history, culture, tourism, biography and other matters intimately connected with Lesotho and her people.

It has assisted hundreds of researchers in their work, contributing in the process to many graduate theses and other studies.

MMA staff members have carried out over two dozen consultancies since 2005, especially with regard to history, culture and Heritage Impact Assessments. Moreover, they are researching a range of topics, and present their findings periodically in lectures, conferences and publications.

Research and Publishing Over the past 25 years, Morija Museum has published on average one book per

www.morija.co.ls

Museum Education

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Morija Museum & Archives: Seriti sa Morija Project Morija Museum & Archives is located in the small picturesque town of Morija, 45km south of the capital of Lesotho. Morija town is a site of national importance and was established in 1833 as a centre for literacy, education and leadership development. It has played a pivotal role in nation building.

An Art Workshop at Morija Arts Centre

Morija also became an important cultural centre where Basotho and western traditions interacted, and where some of Lesotho’s greatest writers and composers lived and drew their inspiration, including Thomas Mofolo and JP Mohapeloa. Thus, Morija became known popularly as the ‘Well-Spring of Learning’ (Selibeng sa Thuto).

From Small Beginnings The Museum, first opened at Morija in 1932, was formally established in August 1956 through the advice of the Regent, Queen ‘Mantšebo. Morija Museum & Archives is Lesotho’s pioneer in heritage management and education, and remains its premier cultural institution.

The Museum builds upon the work of over a century of collections of cultural and historical artefacts and an extensive archive

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of rare documents and books which records the growth and development of the Basotho people. These collections were originally housed separately.

In 1985, Queen ‘Mamohato persuaded The Ford Foundation to assist in constructing permanent facilities to house both the museum and archival collections so that this centre of learning could play a larger role in the life of the nation. Additional assistance from Goldfields (South Africa) and the Netherlands-Lesotho Foundation ensured that Phase I (the Archival Building) was constructed in 1988. In early 1989, a full time Curator was employed (Mr. Stephen Gill).

As funding for Phase II (Museum Exhibit building) was not forthcoming at the time, the decision was taken to house both the archival and museum collections in the new Phase I building.

Growing Programmes and Influence During the past 25 years, almost 200,000 visitors have enjoyed the Museum, including local and international visitors, school groups from around Lesotho and South Africa, and researchers of Basotho art, history and culture. MMA staff have been involved in numerous research, publishing, media and consultancy projects.

Since re-opening in 1989, the Museum has undertaken a number of internal improvements and community-based projects: • The archival and museum collections, which have grown substantially, are being re-organised and catalogued according to current international standards, and various partners are assisting MMA to digitise the most important sections of the archival collections so that these can be made

An Art Workshop at Morija Arts Centre

Throwing Pots at Morija Art Centre

available for on-line research.

• Museum exhibits have been periodically improved, and an Outreach Programme to schools was established in 2009-10 in order to make services more widely available to schools (this initiative requires a funding partner in order to develop its potential more fully).

• The Museum grounds have been beautifully developed and landscaped, historic out-buildings have been renovated.

A Tea Room (Café Mojo), picnic facilities, the Amphitheatre and Heritage Park have been opened and/or enhanced. These cater for a variety of activities and are available for groups to rent.

• The Morija Arts Centre has been established in and around Maeder House (the oldest building in Lesotho) for the sale of locally-produced art and craft, exhibitions, and a variety of learning activities. Recently, skills training in painting, ceramics, mosaic and animation have benefitted local aspiring artists, and such training programmes will be expanded.

• Walking trails in the hills above Morija were established and relations developed with a growing range of private stakeholders (B&Bs, catering, pony-trekking, homestays) in order to promote the larger Morija area as a tourism destination.

• The Morija Arts & Cultural Festival together with the nationwide School Cultural

Competitions has developed since 1999 to become a major draw-card on Lesotho’s annual calendar of events.

• The old site museum at the historic Masitise Cave House in the south of Lesotho has been restored and exhibits have been considerably upgraded.

• Efforts are now underway to document, develop and promote a wider range of heritage sites with tourism potential in the Morija-Matsieng area in partnership with the Royal Archives & Museum (Matsieng).

• The Hub (digital technology centre) will soon provide affordable internet access to students and the community. More importantly, it will offer training in graphic design, photography, film, and other digital media, as well as various skills related to good writing.

These and other achievements would not have been possible without support from a growing range of partners in the public and private sector, and especially the Ministry of Tourism, Environment & Culture which has provided support since 1996 to employ additional Museum staff.

Seriti sa Morija Expansion Plan Given these developments, a vibrant Precinct for Heritage, Culture and the Arts is emerging at Morija. Thus, the MMA Board has revised older plans for the Museum’s expansion so that a larger project will now consolidate and upscale the broader range of on-going

The Hub (Morija)

Pottery from Morija Arts Centre

initiatives so as to enhance the whole Cultural Precinct. This multi-million rand project has a number of components and should take 3-4 years to complete. In this way, Lesotho’s leading centre for art, culture and heritage can move into the future with confidence, and make an even greater contribution to the people of Lesotho.

For further information about the Seriti sa Morija Project or the work of Morija Museum & Archives, please contact the Curator, Stephen Gill, at (+266) 5885-8662 or info@morija.co.ls. www.morija.co.ls

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Morija Arts & Cultural Festival Lesotho’s Arts and Culture Calendar is largely comprised of traditional dance and festivals. The Morija Arts and Cultural Festival attracts an international attendance and is a major annual event in Lesotho.

It is a feast of theatre, poetry, dance, music, song, crafts, art exhibits, and everything in between. The festival showcases performances of jazz, modern music, African movies, and much more, and draws tens of thousands of visitors.

Created in 1999, Morija Arts & Cultural Festival runs over four to five days in late September or early October. Thanks to a great mobilisation of institutions, sponsors and communities, the festival attracts approximately 35,000 people each year.

establish a broad-based Cultural Festival at Morija. The vision was to revive tourism and provide a much-needed showcase for Lesotho’s diverse cultural heritage. It was hoped that by highlighting Lesotho’s culture, the Festival would also promote peace and unity.

During the first Festival, His Majesty the King, Letsie III, advised that in future, Morija should be known not only as the “WellSpring of Learning”, but also as the “WellSpring of Culture”.

History In early 1999, Morija Museum was encouraged by the local community to

Community Although much more needs to be done in order to develop, promote and market the

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arts and local culture, the Morija Festival has helped to restore local pride, and has acted as a catalyst in the growth of a large number of “Cultural Days” and similar events at schools and communities across Lesotho.

District competitions are held for primary and high schools in various forms of traditional dance, drama, poetry and art, which feed into the Morija Festival.

The Morija Arts and Cultural Festival adopted its main theme as “Kaofela re Chabana Sa Khomo “or “Unity in Diversity”.

Its success is a result of a range of support from the Royal Family, the Lesotho Government, donors, NGOs, Churches, the private sector, and the community of Morija.

Her Majesty Queen ‘Masenate is the formal Patron of Morija Museum and the Morija Festival.

There are many positive outcomes of the event. It promotes the Lesotho arts sector, increases tourism, drives the prosperity of the local economy and the broader community, and promotes Morija as an ideal venue for creative, educational, sporting and entertainment events.

The main objective of this festival is to bring people of different views and backgrounds together to celebrate the diverse cultural heritage of Lesotho, to boost tourism, and encourage craft sellers and small-scale manufacturers. It is an opportunity for Basotho of all ages and backgrounds to demonstrate the richness of their culture.

The Morija Arts and Cultural Festival is a contemporary display of the richness, diversity, and vibrancy of Basotho culture and Lesotho’s heritage over the past two centuries.

Other festivals in Lesotho:

first king who died in 1870. The king was responsible for the preservation of Lesotho’s cultural heritage.

• Family Day Family Day in early March is a celebration of one of the pillars of the country’s culture. Family get-togethers involve workers returning to their villages for the day to eat, drink and have a great time.

• Independence Day Held on 4 October, Independence Day celebrates Lesotho’s release from British colonialism and its emergence as a free state. This national holiday is widely celebrated with traditional events, costumes, songs, dance, and musical performances.

www.iexplore.com

• Lesotho Jazz Festival The Lesotho Jazz festival takes place in the capital every December, attracting musicians from other southern nations as well as from all over Lesotho. Set in the heart of the tourist season, the event draws spectators from many countries.

• Moshoeshoe’s Day On 11 March, Bosotho people get together in celebration of the life and reign of Moshoeshoe the Great, Lesotho’s

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Picture: wing

Picture: Dirk Schwager

Picture: Meri Hyoky

Awar

Picture: Meri Hyoky

Picture: Dirk Schwager

Picture: Dirk Schwager

Picture: Dirk Schwager

The Forgotten Kingdom Award-winning International Film shot in Lesotho by Andrew Mudge.

Lead roles were played by actors Zenzo Ngqobe (Atang), Nozipho Nkelemba (Dineo), Jerry Mofokeng (Katleho), Lebohang Ntsane (Orphan Boy), Moshoeshoe Chabeli (Priest), Lillian Dube (Doctor) and Jerry Phele (Atang’s father).

This film was made with support from IFP and PEPFAR. Production companies involved were Binary Film Works, Black Kettle Films, Stongman, and ZenHQ Films.

His lyrical, allegorical style of storytelling was inspired by films such as John Sayles’s Men With Guns, David Lynch’s The Straight Story, and Nicolas Roeg’s Walkabout.

Although a fictional story, The Forgotten Kingdom is highly authentic as it presents an all too common situation which sees Basotho men forced to leave home in search of employment in Johannesburg. Mudge spent nearly a year living in Lesotho before filming, to collect stories from local Basotho.

The result is a flawless depiction of genuine Basotho culture. The message however is universal, evident in the way it resonated with audiences around the world and garnered numerous awards.

The Forgotten Kingdom is a film about lead-character Atang Mokoenya who leaves the slums of Johannesburg to return to his ancestral land of Lesotho to bury his estranged father. Stirred by memories of

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his youth, he falls in love with his childhood friend, Dineo, now a radiant young school teacher. Through her, Atang is drawn toward the mystical beauty and hardships of the people and land he had forgotten, and faces his own bittersweet reckoning.

Filmed in both South Africa and Lesotho, the film is a showcase of the Sesotho language but also features English subtitles.

Both written and directed by Andrew Mudge it features incredible scenery of the Mountain Kingdom through the Cinematography of Carlos Carvalho. Lesotho conjures up images of blanket-clad Basotho Horsemen wandering through snow peaked valleys and thatched-hut villages. The director aptly captured its vast and rugged landscapes.

Director Andrew Mudge is a filmmaker based in Brooklyn, New York. He has directed numerous award-winning short films, which have played at the Sundance Film Festival and Telluride Film Festival, among others. He has also directed documentaries and music videos, such as State Radio’s “Knights of Bostonia” (MTV viewer’s choice award).

As his debut feature film, The Forgotten Kingdom, was selected for the 2012 IFP Filmmaker Labs, and has garnered top awards at over 12 international film festivals, as well as three awards from the 2014 Africa Movies Academy Awards.

The Forgotten Kingdom is the first major feature film produced in Lesotho and is hopefully the start of a bright film industry. www.forgottenkingdomthemovie.com

CHAPTER 6 Fashion and Beauty

Thabo Makhetha Lesotho-born designer, Thabo Makhetha-Kwinana brings us her self-titled label; Thabo Makhetha.

From sketching designs as a little girl, she probably never imagined the day her sketches would become a reality.

As a 21-year-old graduate: “Like many young people, I struggled to find work in the wake of the global recession and I started working from home. My mom suggested that I formalise things and so I started my business. In the beginning it was tough because all the responsibility lay with me, but people believed in me and what I was trying to achieve, perhaps that in itself gave me more motivation,” says Thabo.

Introduced in 2009, Thabo Makhetha

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clothing produces uniquely designed and functional capes and jackets, which are made from Basotho blankets, called Kobo Ea Bohali “Blankets of Prestige”. These blankets signify an immense traditional and cultural heritage and the basotho people can still be seen wearing them today. This collection offers uniquely designed garments, perfect for our winter wardrobe; they can be dressed up to be seen at Paris Fashion week or dressed down for an occasional night out.

Thabo Makhetha’s designs have received international awareness and she has been recognised as one of the top 10 must see designers. In 2013 she was one of the semi-finalists of the South African Fashion Week’s Renault New Talent Search and she topped off the year by being named as one of House & Leisure Magazine’s Top 51 Rising Stars of SA Design. She also showcased her designs at the Vancouver Spring/Summer 2015 Fashion Week.

Seshoeshoe.com Seshoeshoe.com is an online platform for the purchase of Lesotho manufactured products, as the name implies, Seshoeshoe.com was initially meant to only host seshoeshoe-made garments; but due to popular demand this has since changed to include anything manufactured in Lesotho or is representative of Lesotho.

Seshoeshoe.com is now an online marketplace for seshoeshoe garments, T-shirts, accessories such as the Basotho hats, artefacts and also our locally manufactured cosmetics.

One of the inspirations for this business was the richness of our Lesotho culture which we would like to share with the rest of the world. We have a wide variety of talented and creative people in the country who might never reach their potential because of an already saturated market. For instance we realised there are far too many seshoeshoe seamstresses in Maseru for the intended market.

Seshoeshoe.com offered some of these ladies a chance to sell to foreign markets without spending any money on transport, accommodation etc. which would have been the case had they decided to trade directly in South Africa which is what they had been doing previously.

Currently Seshoeshoe.com hosts five companies that manufacture seshoeshoe inspired garments online.

Seshoeshoe.com Supporting local business

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Seshoeshoe.com

NYané and Mpho Lebojoa

Photo: www.davidmichaelphotography.com

Nyané &Mpho

Lesotho’s International Model Twins.

The 20-year-old twins from Lesotho are not only models but aspirant designers and widely followed fashion bloggers.

The pair has taken the online fashion world by storm and have reached iconic status through their pictorial efforts.

They currently live in Southampton, England and are passionate about all things fashion – both with differing and unique personal styles.

Mpho is a university student studying fashion buying and design, and NYane is a designer and model. Their style shows a slight differentiation from one another but yet they still manage to complement each other. Their personal styles reflect their personalities and lifestyles.

Mpho’s sense of style is more relaxed and bohemian while NYane’s is more bold and sculptured.

The twins hope to have their own line of clothing in the near future. www.nyane-mpho.tumblr.com

Photo: wwweclectic411.com

Photo: wwweclectic411.com

The Essentials Health and Beauty Spa Enjoy the scenic Kingdom in the Sky and its healthy environs - then come to Essentials Health and Beauty Spa to be pampered. One leaves Lesotho with a holistic feeling of wellness after benefiting from our wide range of Spa treatments.

The Essentials Health and Beauty Spa is located at AVANI Lesotho Hotel & Casino in Hilton Road, Maseru.

The AVANI Lesotho Hotel & Casino nestles on a hillside overlooking Maseru which is the capital of Lesotho. The elegant, modern building has been constructed from sandstone, and designed to give guests a

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spectacular outlook across the city towards the distant mountains.

The Health and Beauty Spa is situated on the hotel’s lower level. Guests are invited to relax and enjoy rejuvenating spa treatments.

Essentials Spa is a tranquil haven with a range of health and beauty treatments.

Experience a back, neck and shoulders

massage or a full body massage with Hot Bassalt Stone. The hot stones increase blood circulation and thus the supply of oxygen and nutrients to muscles and the brain. The warmth of the stones also gives a feeling of deep relaxation.

The signature treatment of Essentials is the Unwinding Hands and Feet Treatment. This

HEALTH & BEAUTY SPA

involves a gentle soaking of the hands and/ or feet in salts that are specially formulated to address your specific needs, leaving the skin glowing. At your request, your nails may be painted complementary to your treatment.

With our therapists’ knowledgeable insight, we can introduce you to a personalised

Facial Skin Care routine using Environ products which will help you in maintaining a healthy and youthful skin experience.

To leave the skin feeling smooth and highly moisturised, you can experience the Exfoliation treatments. This is achieved through the usage of strong mixtures of Emollitents and Humectants.

The Essentials Health and Beauty Spa AVANI Lesotho Hotel & Casino Lower Level, Maseru, Lesotho Tel: +266 2232 3744 Email: essentialshealth@webmail.co.za

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CHAPTER 7 Healthcare

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Vision for the Health Sector of the Kingdom of Lesotho Statement from the Principle Secretary of Health, Ms Mamoruti Tiheli

As the previous chair of the East, Central and Southern African (ECSA) Health Community, I am aware that Lesotho has a role to play in standardising healthcare in our region. Our groundbreaking efforts of sector reform are setting standards for our fellow African nations.

Minister of Health - Dr Molotsi Monyamane

The success of such visions has in turn inspired numerous other health sectors on our continent to revaluate access to public healthcare.

As a Ministry, we have a vision to provide an efficient and compassionate healthcare and social welfare system, with particular emphasis on the prevention and eradication of priority health and social welfare problems that are amenable to cost-effective interventions.

We believe that the vision for Lesotho’s health sector is to have Health for All which will ensure a maximum benefit is created for health and social welfare objectives. In an attempt to realise this vision, we have undertaken the Health Reform of Lesotho. This aligns with the nation’s Millennium Development Goals.

Health Reform The Health Reform in Lesotho depends on realising the plan of decentralisation through an empowered District Health Management Team (DHMT). This team spearheads efforts across their district to improve clinic and hospital

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Principle Secretary of Health - Ms Mamoruti Tiheli

services, supply chain and monitoring and evaluation (M&E).

The Health Sector aims to deliver an appropriate return on investment to improve the health and lives of the people of Lesotho at their grassroots and achieve the MDG goals (4, 5 & 6) related to health.

Since its conception most rural clinics have started deliveries and congestion of outpatients at district hospital have decreased as people are served at primary healthcare level and only critical cases are referred to district hospital.

This initiative is supported by Partners in Health (PIH) and is currently piloted in four districts of Lesotho namely: Butha Buthe, Leribe, Berea and Mohale’s Hoek - with the intention of rolling out to Mafeteng and Quthing districts in 2015.

The Challenge Lesotho has the second highest adult HIV prevalence in the world, at 23%. The country also has a high maternal morality ratio (MMR)

of 490 deaths per 100,000 live births and a significant percentage of maternal deaths are attributed to AIDS-related illneses. Both the unmet need for fmily planning (23%) and the teenage pregnancy rate (19%) also remain high. Despite numerous gaps and challenges in the health sector, the Government of Lesotho has demonstrated its commitment to strengthening the capacity of service providers to ensure stronger sexual reproductive health (SRH) and HIV linkages.

There is a need to implement a selective package of health interventions that will bring maximum benefit to health objectives, and strategies leading to the realisation of the vision to achieve universal health.

Strengthening of the health sector is jointly supported by the ministry and its partners.

Principle Secretary of Health, Ms Mamoruti Tiheli

Ministry of Health Lesotho The Ministry of Health Lesotho has a mission to provide an efficient and compassionate healthcare and social welfare system, with particular emphasis on the prevention and eradication of priority health and social welfare problems that are amenable to cost-effective interventions.

Queen Mamohato Memorial Hospital

There is need to implement a selective package of health and social welfare interventions that will bring maximum benefit to health and social welfare objectives, and strategies leading to the realisation of the vision to have Health for All. Infrastructure Development Infrastructure development is crucial for the successful delivery of healthcare services and economic development. The Government of Lesotho through the Ministry of Health (MOH) has for the past years invested in health infrastructure development with the support from the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC).

The Ministry constructed and refurbished 138 health centres, 14 Out Patient Departments (OPDs), National Referral Laboratory, National Blood Transfusion Services Centre, National Health Training College (NHTC) Students Dormitories and Staff Houses. The infrastructure also included provision of medical

instruments, equipment and furniture, as well as appropriate utilities in each of the health facilities to ensure that they meet the standard requirements to deliver quality health services to the nation.

To ensure proper management and maintenance of CHAL and MOH assets, the Project engaged EPOS Health Management GMBH consultants in 2011 to develop an Inventory and Asset Management, as well as Preventative Maintenance Strategies for the Ministry.

In order to maximise the project benefits, end users were trained on the use of new supplied equipment. On the other hand, an Inventory and Asset Management as well as Preventative Maintenance Strategies were put in place in order to ensure proper management and maintenance of facilities assets. In addition, an Inventory and Asset Management System has been established and necessary training undertaken for the District Health Management Teams (DHMTs) and respective hospital staff.

Post construction consultations with the communities are on-going in order to promote utilisation of health services at new rehabilitated facilities. The meetings commenced as new refurbished Health Centres became fully operational with all new essential furniture and equipment in place.

This is meant to create awareness on the new improvements and improved service delivery at the newly constructed and refurbished facilities; and to encourage the public to utilise the improved services.

Apart from the MCA infrastructure support, the Ministry of Health constructed a Tuberculosis (TB) Laboratory in Maseru with the support from Partners In Health (PIH). This will have a positive contribution towards the fight against TB in the country.

Rehabilitation of Kuebunyane and Semenanyane Health Centres Apart from the support from other partners, the MOH rehabilitated the last two sets of

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nine Lesotho Flying Doctors Services health centres, of Semenayane and Kuebunyane, under the Rural Initiative program supported by the Government of Ireland.

The rehabilitation of these health centres is expected to improve access to quality health services in these very hard to reach health centres served by Lesotho Flying Doctors.

A Partnership to Transform Healthcare in Lesotho Thanks to an innovative public private partnership facilitated by IFC, Lesotho has transformed its healthcare system with the opening of a newly-built, 425-bed hospital

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that will help the country treat tens of thousands of patients a year, bring down maternal mortality rates, and contain the spread of HIV. Lesotho’s King Letsie III recently inaugurated the Queen ‘Mamohato Memorial Hospital in the country’s capital, Maseru. The world-class facility, the centrepiece of a new health system that includes three new filter clinics, replaces Maseru’s dilapidated Queen Elizabeth II hospital, where infrastructure and services were hopelessly inadequate.

The new public hospital features eight operating rooms, a maternity wing including a 40-bed nursery, a 10-bed adult Intensive Care Unit, an opthomology unit and, most importantly, a well-trained, privately-managed cadre of healthcare professionals.

The new facility aims to have a large focus on training in its modern technology. It will play a major role in the larger healthcare infrastructure within Lesotho.

Public Private Partnership The new hospital is part of a wider healthcare network that Lesotho has developed with support from the World Bank Group.

The World Bank provided Lesotho with a US$6.25-million grant from the Global Partnership for Output-based Aid and IFC advised Lesotho’s government on its partnership with the Tsepong consortium, led by South African healthcare investment holding company NETCARE. Under the partnership, Lesotho’s

government contracted Tsepong to build, manage and operate the new public hospital without increasing costs to patients. The landmark deal might serve as a model for aging and overburdened healthcare systems across Africa.

The Lesotho Hospital Public Private Partnership is an ambitious project which is delivering affordable healthcare, is attractive to strong private investors, and expands services to more people.

Queen ‘Mamohato Memorial Hospital The Queen ‘Mamohato Memorial Hospital opened its doors on 1 October 2011.

Situated about 2km from the capital city, Maseru, the 425-bed hospital functions as the national referral hospital and the nation’s major clinical teaching site for health professionals. The hospital offers a wide range of services and prides itself in being the leader in professional and skills development of healthcare personnel in the country.

Services at Queen ‘Mamohato Hospital include: 1. A 24-hour Accident and Emergency Unit: • Patients are managed according to international triage principles ensuring that they are attended to according to priority of their medical condition.

• The unit also offers services to victims of rape in a professional setting. Patient privacy and confidentiality is ensured.

2. Inpatient facilities: • 425 beds; • 10 bed fully-equipped adult Intensive Care Unit (ICU); • Nine operations theatres; • Medical, general surgery, Ophthalmology, orthopaedics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology wards; • 35-bed maternity Unit with world-class labour wards; • 40-bed postnatal unit; • Nursery; • 10-bed Kangaroo Mother Care Unit; • Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU); • Medical and surgical paediatric wards.

3. Outpatients services: • Dentistry; • Dermatology; • Audiology; • Ophthalmology; • Ear, Nose and Throat Surgery; • General Surgery; • Gynaecology and Obstetrics; • Paediatrics; • Internal Medicine; • Mother and Child; • Orthopaedics; • Clinical Psychology; • Social Welfare; • Dietetics and nutrition.

4. Allied Healthcare services.

Public Hospitals in Lesotho • Bots’belo Leprosy Hospital - Maseru

Mateboho Mosebekoa: Public Relations Officer (MOH)

• Butha Buthe Hospital - Butha-Buthe • Machabeng Hospital - Qacha’s Nek • Mafeteng Hospital - Mafeteng • Mamohau Hospital - Maseru • Mohlomi Mental Hospital - Maseru • Mokhotlong Hospital - Mokhotlong • Motebang Hospital (Leribe Hospital) Hlotse • Ntsekhe Hospital - Mohale’s Hoek • Quthing Hospital - Quthing • Berea Hospital Mission/ Private Hospitals: • St James’ Mission Hospital – Mantsonyane

• Scott Hospital - Morija • Maluti Seventh-Day Adventist Hospital Mapoteng • Maseru Private Hospital - Maseru • St Joseph’s Hospital – Roma Road • Tebellong Hospital - Qacha’s Nek • Paray Hospital - Thaba-tseka • Seboche Hospital - Butha-buthe The Defence Hospital: • Makoanyane Military Hospital - Maseru

www.health.gov.ls

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Thabèlò Khoboko

Founder and President of Neuroscience in Society Research Hub (Pty) Ltd. Born and raised in the mountain Kingdom of Lesotho, Ms. Thabèlò Khoboko is the Founder and President of Neuroscience in Society Research Hub (Pty) Ltd.

Ms. Khoboko received her undergraduate training at the University of Leicester, U.K. (B.Sc.(Hons.) Combined Studies). Early in her career in neuroscience, she was honoured to be one of the first two women to receive the prestigious Rita Levi-Montalcini Fellowship for African Women in Neuroscience, awarded by the International Brain Research Organisation (IBRO). This award enabled Ms. Khoboko to complete her studies at the University of Cape Town for an M.Sc.(Med.) degree in Physiology before furthering her training in Brain Sciences at the University of Arizona, U.S.A. (M.S. Neuroscience). Ms. Khoboko is currently pursuing her doctoral studies in Neuroscience with Champalimaud Neuroscience Programme at Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown in Lisbon, Portugal.

Within the neurosciences, Ms. Khoboko has investigated function and dysfunction in different brain systems implicated in cognition, including learning, memory, motivation, decision-making and movement.

Her current research interests focus on understanding how behaviours arise from the synchronised activity of different brain regions. Furthermore, she would like to investigate how this activity is coordinated during decision-making and other cognitive processes involved in behaviours that are focused towards achieving specific goals.

A believer in social justice and social responsibility, Ms. Khoboko aims to use her abilities to contribute to the development and betterment of those who are much less fortunate in society through social service activities. She has been an active Rotarian of the Rotary Club of Maseru in Lesotho since May 2011 and has served as President of the club for the Rotary year 2013 – 2014. Ms. Khoboko’s efforts in humanitarian work and social responsibility have been recognised by the Rotary Club of Maseru with the Paul Harris Recognition Award (2013), and the Paul Harris Sapphire Pin Award (2014) from Rotary District 9370.

Neuroscience in Society Research Hub (Pty) Ltd. Motivated by her strong belief in the neurosciences as a key avenue through which societies may be transformed, and by the apparent dearth of neuroscience knowledge and application in developing societies, Ms. Khoboko established Neuroscience in Society Research Hub (Pty) Ltd. in 2013.

The vision of Neuroscience in Society Research Hub (Pty) Ltd. is to cultivate the relevance of the brain sciences, and expand neuroscience research domains, within less economically and scientifically developed societies. The mission of the organisation

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is to advance human potential and socioeconomic progress through neuroscience.

The broad activities of the organisation reflect the diversity of the field of neuroscience and, therefore, demonstrate the potential diversity of the application of neuroscience knowledge within society.

On-going activities include Neuroscience of Poverty, Neuroscience of Leadership, and Neuroscience of Early Childhood Care and Development.

Neuroscience of Poverty Less economically and scientifically developed societies are faced with numerous poverty-related stressors, including impoverished living conditions, poor nutrition, and deficient education and health infrastructure. These conditions may have a detrimental effect on the healthy cognitive well-being of citizens, young and old alike. Compromised cognitive health has an adverse impact on the development of human potential and, therefore, has a detrimental effect on long-term development initiatives within resource deficient settings.

Within this context, Neuroscience in Society Research Hub is committed to identifying and understanding the correlations between poverty, behaviour and cognitive processing.

Neuroscience of Leadership Neuroscience in Society Research Hub (Pty) Ltd. has developed the Neuroscience of Leadership training seminars to assist organisations in strengthening strategic leadership and human capital performance.

The Neuroscience of Leadership seminars provide organisations with insight into how emotions and cognitive states manifest from brain network dynamics to influence behaviour, individual performance and group dynamics. Trainings have been successfully conducted with core executive and upper management groups of leading organisations in Lesotho. Among these are Nedbank Lesotho Limited, Basotho Enterprises Development Corporation (BEDCO) and Lesotho Communications Authority.

Neuroscience of Early Childhood Care and Development An area of interest to Neuroscience in Society Research Hub (Pty) Ltd., is the interface between neuroscience and early learning, in particular, the development of brain and behaviour, and early childhood education. Neuroscience in Society Research Hub (Pty) Ltd. is engaged in developing policies and practices to be applied in the early education systems of Lesotho by applying knowledge from neuroscience. Moreover, the organisation

has developed Brain, Development and Behaviour: An Early Childhood Care and Development Training Module in consultation with UNICEF, Lesotho Country Office for teachers and early childhood care providers.

This work has been supported with funding from IBRO Women in World Neuroscience Programme.

Neuroscience in Society Research Hub (Pty) Ltd. aims to continue to collaborate

with local, regional and international entities to broaden its activities towards the advancement and applicability of brain sciences in developing societies.

Contact details: Private Bag A75, Maseru 100, Lesotho Email: Khoboko@NeuroscienceResearchHub.com

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CHAPTER 8 Education

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Limkokwing University Of Creative Technology

Creating entrepreneurs, expanding the economy, achieving Vision 2020 Limkokwing University of Creative Technology builds up the capability and creativity of Basotho youth to meet the latest global industry demands.

Limkokwing University pioneers a fresh approach to education. Instead of a onesize-fits-all methodology, it prefers a customised approach that considers the needs of both industry and community.

Our Associate Degree and Honours Degree programmes are highly relevant and connect Lesotho to the global economy.

The University arrived in Maseru with a reputation for its innovative approach to education. It was not only the first private university to open in the Kingdom of Lesotho, but it was also the only one offering associate degrees and degrees in creative-based, as well as technologydriven programmes related to the creative industries.

It brought fresh new perspectives that combined Asian and Western values.

The mission was to shape the nation by empowering its youths with skills needed to keep pace with the giant strides of the rest of the world.

The extraordinary campus is fully-equipped with state-of-the-art teaching facilities which further accentuate the learning: Fashion, Photography, Architecture, Sound studios; Mac and Multimedia labs which provide internet access; and lecture halls for presentations and academic discussions.

The Lesotho campus provides invaluable experiences that add value to a student’s pursuit of a new kind of 21st century learning. With the opening of Limkokwing University, the education landscape in

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the Kingdom of Lesotho witnessed the transformation of its tertiary education and the empowerment of its young generation with creative learning.

The founder and president of Limkokwing University, Professor Emeritus Tan Sri Dato Sri Paduka Dr. Limkokwing, believes in students becoming job creators instead of seekers. This philosophy has greatly impacted the way Basotho view education.

It has influenced a cohort of authors, selfemployed architects, producers, fashion designers and many others who are opening up the creative sector of the economy.

Integrating Entrepreneurial Spirit Established in 2011, the Limkokwing Entrepreneurship Acceleration Platform (LEAP) allows graduates the chance to gain insight in the work industry through practical self-started business projects. The mind-set of entrepreneurship instilled here contributes both to the competitiveness of our graduates and the economic development of the country.

LEAP is an in-house facilitator which provides training, mentorships and assistance in fund-sourcing for the students’ projects and businesses. The LEAP programme serves as a channel through which students refer to, receive guidance from, collaborate with, and/or obtain business opportunities from key stakeholders, business development partners and their university friends.

By 2015, more than 4000 Basotho have graduated as creative professionals, injecting new blood into Lesotho’s economy to build its creative industry sector with the use of the latest technology. Lesotho’s first educational Television Program (Edu Reloaded) was pioneered, shot, produced and presented by Limkokwing graduates.

Education through knowledge transfer Over the years, Limkokwing Lesotho has contributed to the goals set by both the private sector and the government in their attempts to respond to the tremendous changes taking place across the world.

Guided by professionals from Malaysia, Basotho graduates are learning the ropes in campus management. They have displayed maturity and leadership in managing Lesotho’s first creative university. They now helm the campus’ way forward and by doing so strengthen the nation’s aspirations to become a regional hub for education.

Promoting Lesotho across the world Lesotho, through Limkokwing University, has provided the best multicultural environment that has already attracted students from seven countries to study in Maseru.

The bonds forged and networks gained through Limkokwing not only create a warm, colourful and enjoyable environment for a quality education, but future opportunities and pathways for students

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to better their lives. The Lesotho campus exposes students to different views, ideas and mind-sets from elite staff members and students from Zimbabwe, Botswana, South Africa, Swaziland, Nigeria, Ghana and Democratic Republic of Congo.

Limkokwing is a cultural springboard that allows students the opportunity to travel all over the world, learning new cultures and broadening their horizons.

Our connections around the world have resulted in the Global Campus programme, allowing students to spend up to two semesters learning in one of our overseas campuses – be it in Malaysia, London, China, Cambodia, Yemen, Indonesia, Botswana or Swaziland. This gives our students an added advantage as they further their studies or complete their research, further expanding their knowledge and skills.

Further signposting our international success is our award-winning website, which receives over 280 million hits from 229 countries and territories annually. Our online presence is also shown through our Facebook ranking as the 10th most liked university in the world, outranking UK’s Cambridge University, and our Twitter placing as the 3rd most popular university globally.

Our university’s trailblazing initiatives have created a body of over 30,000 students from 165 countries in 13 campuses spanning three continents -

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winning over 200 international awards.

We have set our mark in the education front as leaders creating a generation of outstanding, industry-ready graduates.

Limkokwing alumni rebrand Lesotho Despite being a small nation, Lesotho, through Limkokwing University’s focus in creativity and innovation, is gradually growing into a giant economy by expanding into new economic activities and further strengthening the existing engines of growth in manufacturing and tourism.

By 2015, more than 4,000 Basotho have graduated as creative professionals, injecting new blood into Lesotho’s economy. Our hands-on approach to learning creates highly sought after graduates, adaptable and innovative individuals ready to join the workforce.

Our graduates have become a force to be reckoned with in rebranding Lesotho and taking the country to greater heights.

They are unique in their approach to problems, possessing a combination of refined, techno-savvy skills, out-of-the-box thinking and confidence to compete in the global marketplace.

Limkokwing’s Basotho graduates can already be seen setting up businesses that generate jobs and increase business opportunities for locals, in fields as diverse as website design and programming, content management, planning and implementing IT infrastructure, video

production, events footage and editing, photography, fashion and apparel design, brand packaging design, architectural design, interior design and radio production.

This vital corps of creative human capital is already changing the national profile and improving its global competitiveness as investors explore the potential Lesotho offers the world and much is dependent on its base of highly skilled human capital.

Here at Limkokwing, we produce not only in-demand employees, but jobcreating employers, leaders of tomorrow.

We empower students with the full realisation of their potential.

Rise above the rest at Limkokwing - A University of Renown and Acclaim “Limkokwing is a global university that comes to us with a wealth of knowledge and an abundance of experience in developing the creativity, technology, skills and knowledge of young people around the world. These are the very skills that Lesotho needs to achieve the Vision 2020.” Prime Minister of Lesotho, Pakalitha Mosisili

www.limkokwing.net

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National University of Lesotho

Under the leadership of King Moshoeshoe III, Lesotho was opposed to the Apartheid government of South Africa. As a result, the University of Lesotho welcomed a number of key exiled South African politicians who were able to further their studies freely and continue their resistance. This however is only a part of the University’s rich heritage – and in years to come it will continue to play a pivotal role in the lives of young Basotho.

History The Catholic University College was founded on 8 April 1945 by the Roman Catholic Hierarchy of Southern Africa in an isolated valley 34 kilometres from Maseru, in a temporary primary school building at Roma Mission.

In 1946, the College moved from the temporary building to its present site after the Paramount Chief allocated 52 acres of land.

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Pius XII College firstly prepared its students for the external degrees of the University of South Africa (UNISA). By 27 September 1954, UNISA agreed to enter into a formal agreement to grant “Associate College” status to the College. Between 1954 and 1960, the academic and physical growth of the College accelerated.

By 1959, the College had 171 students, with 141 from outside Basutoland - mainly from South Africa, Northern and Southern Rhodesia, and Nyasaland.

The High Commission Territories (HCT) was indebted to Pius XII College for its role in producing educated women and men to tackle developmental problems postindependence. The College was going through a period of financial difficulties and the HCT wanted to play a more significant role in the decision-making bodies of the College.

Negotiations began with the view to establishing an inter-territorial, nondenominational University, principally to serve the HCT. A deed of cession was signed jointly by the Ford Foundation and Her Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom on 13 June 1963.

On 1 January 1964, Plus XII University College was replaced by the independent, non-denominational University of Basutoland, Bechuanaland Protectorate, and Swaziland (UBBS) with its own Charter granted by Queen Elizabeth II. In 1966, UBBS became the University of Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland (UBLS).

On 7 April 1967, the first autonomous degrees and diplomas were conferred.

The University continued to grow physically and academically under the support of the three governments’ subventions, as well as from international organisations. In time,

branches of the University were established in Botswana and Swaziland.

By 1974, ten years after its establishment, the UBLS was offering five degree courses, 11 diploma and certificate courses and four post-graduate degree courses.

On 20 October 1975, the decision to establish the National University of Lesotho (NUL) on the Lesotho (Roma) campus site of the former UBLS was taken.

The University of Lesotho presently has 2,013 students enrolled. The Chancellor is King Letsie III. Its Faculties include Agriculture, Education, Health Sciences, Humanities, Law, Science & Technology, and Social Sciences departments.

The governing body of the University is the Council and academic policy is in the hands of Senate - both Council and Senate being established by the Act.

Present Today, the National University of Lesotho is a growing institution striving to meet the needs of the nation, through producing competent and skilled graduates who can easily take up the call to assist in the development of Lesotho.

Roma valley is broad and is surrounded by a barrier of rugged mountains which provides magnificent scenery.

Future NUL’s Vision is to be a leading African university responsive to national socioeconomic needs; committed to high-quality teaching, life-long learning, research and community service, respected nationally and internationally.

Its mission is to promote national advancement through innovative teaching, learning, research and professional services,

producing high calibre and responsible graduates able to serve their communities with diligence.

Staff and students of NUL shall demonstrate a commitment to honesty, integrity, professionalism, excellent customer care, respect, tolerance, transparency and accountability in their dealings with colleagues and others. They shall be innovative, resourceful, collaborative, cherishing academic freedom and always striving for excellence.

www.nul.ls

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CHAPTER 9 Corporate Profiles

NB NTHANE BROTHERS

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Nthane Brothers Holdings

A leading General Contractor, Design-Builder and Construction Management firm Built from humble beginnings as a family-owned business, Nthane Brothers Holdings (NBH) consistently conveys a superiority that clients can rely on. The Group seizes opportunities for both the company and the country and works towards the delivery of excellence within all endeavours.

Projects are completed on time, within budget and to a high standard and quality.

Their outstanding reputation covers construction of roads, hotels, clinics and other dwellings - utilising innovative design and best practice construction techniques.

The company provides a wide range of services in design, engineering, and construction, as well as maintenance. It has a history of increasing the capacity of Lesotho’s economy by creating employment opportunities, social responsibility and providing educational bursaries through the education trust.

Mission and Vision We aspire to be recognised as leaders in the construction industry, committed to building infrastructure, power, and industrial projects across the country. We strive to provide the highest value to our clients and community

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with a critical eye on safety, quality, and value for money.

We strive to grow our organisation through investigating advancing technology, industry changes and the varying needs of our clientele as our industry evolves.

We will continuously diversify our skills to distinguish us from our competition and foster loyal customers as we build infrastructure and energy projects that improve the quality of life in Lesotho.

Core Values • Safety: We are committed to making safety a top priority for all employees. We integrate safety and risk management into our daily operations, ensuring that it becomes a natural part of our operation’s culture, enhancing management/worker cooperation and providing long-term positive results.

• Integrity: We act with integrity and adhere to the highest standards of moral and ethical values. Acting with integrity builds trust which is a top priority in every relationship we maintain, from customers, subcontractors, and suppliers and to fellow co-workers.

• Quality: We are committed to client satisfaction through excellent performance. To achieve this vision we continually strive not only to meet client expectations but to exceed them.

• Innovation: We are committed to investigating new products and procedures to ensure we stay on top of advancing technology, industry growth, and our clients’ evolving needs. Our passion for construction, our forwardthinking project management style, and our diversified skills separate us from our competition.

NB NTHANE BROTHERS

• Employee satisfaction: In our drive to support and advance the unlimited potential development of our employees, we empower our staff with continuous training. We also set ambitious goals stretching to meet them again and again to strive for excellence.

• Community driven: We are members of many communities, and it is from these we gain our sustenance. We believe that benevolent social responsibility and environmental stewardship are essential to the prosperity and upgrading of our host communities.

NBH establishes partnerships with clients, subcontractors, suppliers and the community, allowing consistent delivery of the most cost-effective, complete and innovative solutions since 1977. With over 38 years of experience, NBH is renowned

in the industry for being competitive, passionate and dedicated to excellence.

History Our Group traces its roots back to when its founder, Tseliso Nthane, began his journey into entrepreneurship with the purchase of a second-hand flatbed truck which he used to haul food commodities across Lesotho in 1977. It was during this time that he noticed the need for road construction in the country, especially the highlands.

Over the years he worked diligently, purchasing more trucks and machinery. By 1987, he began operating as a fully-fledged Transport and Plant Hire entity. As the enterprise grew, the Nthane family revolved around the business.

The 1990s brought about further growth for the company. It began managing larger earthmoving projects such as the Design,

Finance and Construction of 63 kilometres of road to bitumen standard from Qacha’s Nek to Qhoali - becoming the first local company to venture into mechanised road construction.

Throughout this time, Nthane Brothers Holdings’ role in the development of Lesotho was also evolving. Proven to be a company that consistently delivered reliable solutions, NBH became a pivotal partner in the building of the country’s fledgling building and civil infrastructure. It also became a key collaborator in the design, renovation, reconfiguration, expansion and construction to fully-functional, hygienic and structurally fit-for-purpose health centres in Lesotho.

Today, Nthane Brothers Holdings maintains its role as an integral partner in Lesotho’s construction and upgrading of urban roads, storm water drainage systems, pedestrian sidewalks and street lighting,

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laying the foundations for the country’s economic progress and development.

and management principles with competence, creativity, and flexibility.

Nthane Brothers Group The construction business of Nthane Brothers Holdings lies at the Chairman’s heart. Its subsidiaries are Lesotho Consolidated Civil Contractors, Mountain Pioneers, and ReRome – all contributing to the core business, making it possible to offer a broad range of products and services. This structure allows Nthane Brothers Holdings to effectively manage and fulfil construction projects, starting from conception stage, through to design and engineering, construction and maintenance.

An industry leader in civil projects with vast experience in major infrastructure projects, our multidisciplinary team brings unparalleled qualifications and experience to constructing, transportation and water resource projects.

The coordination and management of every project poses unique challenges. Our teams focus on minimising inconvenience to the local community, motorists, and the public, by accelerating the project schedule to meet critical milestones while exceeding owner expectations.

The company achieves these goals on each of our projects by providing quality technical solutions, seasoned construction personnel, and an organisational structure that combines strong design, construction,

Services We design, build, and repair bridges and overpasses for pedestrian or vehicle traffic in all kinds of terrains and locations. Our team of professionals are skilled in bridge design, building and rehabilitation – from site surveys and analysis to detailed planning, estimating, engineering and construction management. We also construct deep foundations, beginning with the substructure, mass excavation and earthwork.

With Lesotho’s increasing population and aging infrastructure, we are strategically placed to assist with repairs, replacements, or new roadway routes to meet growth trends and capacity needs. Our past experience with local procedures, insurance, quality and safety requirements, position our team to continue building infrastructure for the next generation.

Heavy civil construction services: • Civil Engineering design; • Mass grading and excavation/ site preparation; • Bridges and roadways; • Concrete and asphalt production and paving; • Foundation construction; • Cast-in-place and structural concrete; • Specialty structures and foundations;

• Underpinning, top down structures, specialty buildings; • Deep trenching; • Confined space/ selective demolition, site work.

Transportation services: • Urban, regional, and highway systems; • Urban and rural interchanges; • Urban street revitalisation; • Grading/ roadway preparations; • Drainage culverts/ drainage systems; • Bridge construction/ maintenance; • Underground utility; • Asphalt and concrete paving.

Nthane Brothers Holdings continually seeks to improve its business processes and strives to maintain its reputation as an indigenous benchmark for national excellence in Lesotho’s construction industry. NBH is committed to an organisational culture of compliance, ethics and integrity. The company holds itself accountable for being honest, fair and respectful in all aspects of its business and operates in a zero tolerance atmosphere for any actions that could be perceived as contrary to these ideals.

www.nthanebros.com

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Matekane Group of Companies Thirty years ago a brave Mosotho man undertook what is now considered as Lesotho’s strongest business competitor. The company began as Matekane Transport and Plant Hire, creating the most roadworks from a single truck.

By 2015 the company had become one of the country’s most renowned group of companies. The company includes MGC Properties, MGC Mining, MGC Aviation and MGC Express.

MGC - The Mogul Company Growing up in the rural mountains of Lesotho, Group Chairman of MGC Mr Sam

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Matekane came from humble beginnings.

His father made an arrangement for his son to be coached in business by a Maserubased tradesman, called Timothy Nhlapo.

He left home for Maseru where he worked as many hours as he could. Mr Nhlapo taught him that the key to success was hard work. This is how Mr Matekane became so industrious, enthusiastic, and confident that

any challenge can be conquered through hard work, dedication and motivation from within.

MGC Construction Matekane Transport and Plant Hire was the start of MGC in 1986. The first project the company had was re-gravelling roads in 1995.

(smooth drum and pad foot), dozers, tractor loader backhoes (TLBs), front-end loaders, water carts, recycler, premix asphalt paving unit, pneumatic rollers, and chip spreader.

MGC uses the best and latest technological methods in creating long-lasting roads.

Today this consortium deals only with construction, specialising in road construction, rehabilitation and associated infrastructure development - such as construction of bridges, culverts, stormwater drainage and water reticulation systems.

MGC machinery and equipment varies from excavators, graders and rollers

MGC Properties MGC Properties is a division of the founding company MGC; which was instituted to answer the need for both commercial and private property investment in Lesotho.

Today MGC Properties’ portfolio has grown tremendously since its inception having completed developments such as MGC Park, a six-floor office block and Mpilo Estates, 20 units of upmarket design houses. With more developments like the

Mpilo Boutique Hotel, a 4-star hotel, only one of its kind in Lesotho to open its doors in 2015, the company has successfully lived to its value, mission and vision statements.

Our short-term plan is to break into international property development and the investment industry on a larger scale where we will invest in neighbouring countries.

Behind MGC Properties’ success are professional hardworking team players who daily strive for the success of the company.

MGC Properties “You dream it, we build it” MGC Aviation Established in 2009, MGC Aviation is the only privately owned airline in Lesotho and is approved by the SACAA (South African Civil Aviation Authority) together with the LDCA.

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The operational route of the airline is from Lesotho to remote destinations in and around South Africa.

For many years the country’s only access to private air travel was via military aircraft or South African based airline agencies.

The airline offers local and international passengers the opportunity to see Lesotho’s mountain terrain in a way that has never been experienced before, passengers are offered the luxury of viewing and capturing images of the renowned Katse Dam, Afri Ski snowboarding resort and many more.

The airline offers customers national and international charter, VIP charter, corporate and Incentive travel, aerial photography support, product launching events, tourism, sporting events, hospitality flights, medical response and sling work-airborne, mining support and airborne drilling support.

MGC Aviation is now introducing Maluti Sky, a scheduled flight operation that will commence in 2015. Maluti Sky will be offering daily flights from Maseru (Moshoeshoe 1 International Airport) to Johannesburg (OR Tambo) for seven days a week. This new airline will be the first wholly Basotho owned company in the country and anticipates a prodigious support from the nation. The charter services will also be known as Maluti Sky, forming part of MGC Aviation fleet.

MGC Mining In 2006 the company added a mining contract to its contracts. MGC Mining has grown to

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be the largest mining company in Lesotho to date. The company operates the largest bulk of earth moving equipment in Lesotho. The company carries out open-cast mining at a mine in Mokhotlong, Lesotho.

South Africa’s Barloworld Equipment became an official Caterpillar distributor, to supply all of the necessary capital equipment for the mine. MGC Mining has dug through the mountains to deliver the best plant for open cast mining at 3,200m above sea level.

MGC Farming Farms that operate under MGC Farming include the Rowen Farm located in Lady Brand and Bella Vista Farm located in Clocolan, Free State, South Africa.

In early 2007 MGC went ahead and purchased the Clocolan farm after seeing a gap in the agriculture industry.

Research helped in the design of products that would fulfil consumers’ needs. Habre is mainly grown to feed animals whereas maize, sunflower and wheat are grown for sale.

For more information please contact: The Corporate Communications and Marketing Department at MGC Park P.O. BOX 4474, Sebaboleng 104, Maseru, Lesotho Tel: +266 52216200 / 22216200 Fax: +266 221317733 Email: info@mgc.co.ls www.mgc.co.ls

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MGC Lesotho - Corporate Social Responsibility MGC is one of the companies that has been awarded as the company with the best reputation for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) for a number of years in a row. The idea behind our CSR activities is to improve MGC’s public image, to increase employee motivation, and to invest in the Basotho Nation.

MGC has committed to focus their sponsorship on the following sectors; sports, education and health.

The company is proud of the CSR efforts undertaken thus far and believes in giving back to communities in which it operates.

The reality is that no organisation operates in isolation; there is an interaction with employees, customers, suppliers and stakeholders and CSR is about managing these relationships to produce an overall positive impact on society, whilst still making profit. MGC uses sponsorship to make communities aware of its presence and services, moreover to appreciate government initiatives done through the private sector.

Roof of Africa Race - extreme off road motor sports MGC has been sponsoring the annual Roof of Africa Race for a number of years to date. With the provision of two Euro-Copters for the race, this has contributed immensely to the success of the race. The 2014 race was screened on Supersport and in 40 countries across Europe, as well as Mauritius, reaching 42

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million households. With this exposure, MGC, Roof of Africa and Lesotho yielded maximum exposure which was beneficial for all who were involved.

MGC has contributed in creating awareness for the sports in and around the country. And the Group Chairman, Mr Sam Matekane has, for many years been passionate about the sport and has dedicated resources in improving and supporting the race over the years.

We have had local riders under MGC’s sponsorship for the past two years and are willing to invest more in their careers.

As part of the company’s CSR policy, we have dedicated resources to sports initiatives while fulfilling the Group Chairman’s lifelong extreme sports dream.

Soccer – Likhopho Football Club Football is a driving force behind Basotho and as part of our CSI program, MGC has taken under its wings FC Likhopo, a premier league team. With a full sponsorship from July 2012 to September

2016, FC Likhopo remains with one duty to win the league.

Other than soccer, we sponsor Charitable Golf tournaments and Lesotho Sky (cycling race). Lesotho Sky Event is a world-class sporting event in Lesotho, branding the country as a premier sport tourism destination and giving Basotho athletes the opportunity to improve their riding skills, improve their international rankings and to compete against the world’s best riders.

MGC participates annually with a commitment of a chopper service for the duration of the event.

Schools Project Education is the core foundation of every nation and MGC invests in the future generation of this country. Education is also a right for every child including the disabled, hence the support of MGC to the disabled in education in order to afford them an equal opportunity for a worthy life. We have been running the school

project since 2011 and will continue this commendable program for years to come.

With the full sponsorship that covers all the children’s needs, MGC ensures they only have their studies to focus on.

MGC ensures that all children attend school, and are able to receive a full education. Full sponsorship costs more than M100,000 per annum.

Mantsonyane Projects A grounded man with a strong foundation always remembers his heritage, and this is what Sam Matekane has proven. In 2005, MGC built a church for the Mantsonyane community to show gratitude for his upbringing. He continued to remember the community in their time of need when the harvest was poor. The company donated 2600 bags of maize to relieve the community from a moment of distress.

Renovating The Orphanage In 2013, MGC decided to surprise the Malibuseng Orphanage Home by renovating their home and showering them with gifts. The MGC team joined hands and proved to be very helpful and left the home looking outstanding.

Projects in Progress MGC has embarked on a Corporate Social Development of the Mantsonyane area in which we are building a Primary School, High school, Nun’s home, Priest’s house and a Chapel.

Mpilo Boutique Hotel Our very first hotel project, the inimitable Mpilo Boutique Hotel is nearing completion. This project has brought about economic growth and has answered to the high demand of accommodation in our country.

MGC PHASE II PROJECT In MGC’s company portfolio, we have projects such as MGC Park phase II which will commence later in the year. The design is exceptionally designed to accommodate prominent businesses housed in a modern structure.

For more information please contact: The Corporate Communications and Marketing Department at MGC Park P.O. BOX 4474, Sebaboleng 104, Maseru, Lesotho Tel: +266 52216200 / 22216200 Fax: +266 221317733 Email: info@mgc.co.ls www.mgc.co.ls

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CHAPTER 10 Trade and Investment

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Foreword from LNDC CEO, Kelebone Leisanyane It is with great humility and appreciation that I welcome you on a journey to discover the true potential of the beautiful Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho through ‘BEST OF LESOTHO’ Volume 1, following the release of “LESOTHO: The Kingdom in the Sky” Publication in March, 2014.

Lesotho is well renowned for her diamonds (known all over the world for their large size and clarity), clean, unpolluted water, as well as breath-taking scenery of mountains that display all their beauty during the snow season - earning the country the name “Switzerland of Africa.” However, there are more than enough attributes to discover about Lesotho. We have decided to use this publication to encourage improvements in cultural ties and increase trade and investment flows between Lesotho and the rest of the global players looking at the Southern African region for investment.

The ‘Best of Lesotho’ is a fundamental component of our initiative; an inspirational journey of learning about the Mountain Kingdom’s rich culture and landscapes, history, industrial development as well as the heart of the Basotho nation - the Monarchy

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that is also presented in style in a dedicated edition of the ‘Best of Lesotho.’

The role of our Corporation is to promote economic growth by facilitating the development of medium to large enterprises. Established in 1967, LNDC started to fulfil its job creation and industrial development mandate with a total employment of 200 people, which has to date been recorded at 45,000 direct jobs; with the textiles and garments industry dominating the manufacturing sector.

That said, there is massive room to exploit opportunities presented by value chains and untapped sectors.

The Kingdom’s central position in the heart of Africa’s most developed economy (that of South Africa) is well served by air, rail and road links to all its major centres.

The Kingdom is home to the largest and

most ambitious civil engineering project in the whole of Africa, the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP), which has harnessed and commercialised her upstream surplus water resources.

A highly favourable tax incentives package, coupled with a young and abundant, predominantly English speaking, literate and well-motivated labour force with a tradition of manual dexterity, at competitive wage rates, have contributed extensively in industrial growth. Our investors and tourists also enjoy high-end world-class facilities in accommodation, leisure, education and sports satisfactorily, making their stay as comfortable as ever in Lesotho.

As a member of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), both of which constitute a population of

approximately 277 million, as well as being a least developed country, Lesotho enjoys preferential market access - mainly duty free and quota free access of her products into countries such as the United States, Australia, Canada, European Union, Japan, New Zealand and Turkey.

On the other hand, Lesotho is party to preferential trade agreements between SACU and MERCOSUR (comprising Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay), as well as SACU and EFTA (comprising Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland).

All these present immense opportunity for successful cross-border trade and investments. Our commitment to the rules of multilateral trade and Lesotho’s commitment to developing a trade policy regime based on internationally agreed norms, has enhanced Lesotho’s competitiveness.

Lesotho (Africa’s biggest textiles exporter to one of the largest markets of the world, the USA) has welcomed diversified investments in the automotive, energy and electronics sectors, to mention a few. Lesotho has been highly successful in its efforts to attract foreign direct investment. Some global giants such as, Telefunken, Levi’s, GAP, Philips and many others have outsourced some of their production to Lesotho.

LNDC invites you to open shop in Lesotho through business ventures: in the tourism sector, development of hotels, lodges, tour operation, aquaculture, canoeing and high altitude facilities; in light engineering (automotive, electronics), ICT and financial services (including call centres and financial institutions); environmental and green industries; agro-processing; construction, mining and quarrying,

plant and machinery; Aviation and Pharmaceuticals.

On behalf of the Lesotho National Development Corporation, I am confident that this inaugural edition will present to you: the country and its people, their achievements and future visions, the untold story of the Royal Palace of Lesotho, as well as its position among the Basotho nation in a profound and charismatic manner.

I also trust that you will make time to visit the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho to witness firsthand the myriad opportunities for investment. I take this opportunity to invite you to, INVEST, LIVE and PROSPER in Lesotho! Khotso, Pula, Nala!

Kelebone Leisanyane CEO: Lesotho National Development Corporation

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Lesotho National Development Corporation We Build Industry – Invest, Live, Prosper

Mission To stimulate broad-based economic growth through initiation, facilitation, promotion and retention of diversified sustainable medium to large domestic and foreign investments.

Vision To be a catalyst for sustainable economic development through the creation of wealth and quality jobs for Basotho.

About LNDC The Lesotho National Development Corporation (LNDC) is the main parastatal of the Government of Lesotho charged with the implementation of the country’s industrial development policies. “The mandate of the Corporation is to initiate, promote and facilitate the development of manufacturing and processing industries, mining and commerce in a manner calculated to raise the level of income and employment in Lesotho.” The Corporation was established by an Act of

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Parliament known as Act No. 20 of 1967.

It has been amended several times and the last amendment was through Act No. 7 of 2000 which became effective on 25 October, 2000. The role of the Corporation is to promote Lesotho as an attractive investment location for both foreign and indigenous investors. LNDC is wholly owned by the Government of Lesotho and falls under the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Cooperatives and Marketing which is responsible for providing the overall policy direction on industrialisation.

What LNDC Can Do For You LNDC is the first point of contact for foreign investors who intend to set up projects in myriad sub-sectors in Lesotho.

SERVICES OFFERED BY LNDC The LNDC offers a host of supportive services which include the following: • Serviced industrial and commercial sites for rental;

• Provision of industrial and commercial buildings for rental; • Financial assistance to investors on a selective basis; • Investment facilitation services; • Assistance to procure permits and licenses; • Assistance in company registration; • Assistance in industrial relations issues; and • Appraisal of investment projects.

WHY INVEST IN LESOTHO? Lesotho offers investors a dynamic business environment complemented by a healthy Government administered incentive regime which includes: Stability Lesotho is a stable social and political environment which is investor friendly. It is also a free enterprise and free market economic system, which forms the basis for sustained development and growth.

Labour The Mountain Kingdom boasts a young, abundant, predominantly English speaking, literate, well-motivated labour force with a tradition of manual dexterity at competitive wage rates.

Market access • Lesotho is part of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) comprising Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Swaziland and South Africa. There are about 55 million consumers in the region.

• Duty free and quota free access provided by the regional trade and investment block of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) – (14 countries comprising 260 million consumers).

• Preferential market access of Lesothooriginating products into the Australian market (22 million consumers), affording them duty-free access or reduced rates of duty.

• Duty-free access for a large list of products except for dairy, poultry and egg products

granted by Canada (34 million consumers) under the GSP system.

• A preferential treatment agreement between SACU and MERCOSUR (comprising Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay (385 million consumers) grants trade preferences on specific products originating from Lesotho as member of SACU. • The SACU EFTA gives SACU originating industrial and fish products duty free and quota free access to Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.

• Lesotho can also export all products to the European Union (500 million consumers) duty free provided under SACU EPA Agreement.

• Lesotho’s industrial products, including textiles and clothing can be exported duty and quota free to Japan, New Zealand, and Turkey under a GSP scheme introduced in 1972.

• Lesotho benefits from the lucrative American market (310 million consumers) provided by the African Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA).

Tax incentives • 10% corporate tax on manufacturing profit generated from exporting manufactured goods outside of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU).

• No withholding tax on dividends distributed by manufacturing firms to local or foreign shareholders.

• No advanced corporation taxes are paid by companies on the distribution of manufacturing profits.

• Training costs are allowable at 125% for tax purposes.

• Payments made in respect of external management skills and royalties related to manufacturing operations are subject to withholding tax of 10%.

• Easy repatriation of manufacturing profits.

• A VAT rate of 14% (ensuring harmonization with the RSA).

Furthermore, the Lesotho Revenue Authority has introduced flexible VAT payment systems, to tax compliant firms, to ease cash flows.

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SUPPORT PROGRAMMES Partial Credit Guarantee In a bid to create a sustainable support structure for the development and growth of Basotho majority owned businesses in Lesotho, and to address the constraints to private sector development, LNDC developed a broad framework called the Enterprise Development Facility (EDF).

The framework embodies the following interventions: the Partial Credit Guarantee Scheme, Equity Participation, Wholesale Financing and Technical Support for Private Sector. The PCG Scheme is in place and the other three will be introduced in phases.

The scheme addresses the limited access to finance by Basotho owned businesses by making it easy for financial institutions to lend to them; Promote the export business; Promote labour intensive and thus employment generating projects; Facilitate transfer of technology and skills; Develop capacity; and Diversify the economy.

Eligible projects that have been identified by the Corporation as strategic and are in line with the objectives of the facility are also required to further demonstrate sound corporate governance structures and practices. In particular; the following subsectors are the main target: • Agro-processing • Mining (except diamond mining) and quarrying

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• Minerals beneficiation (e.g. mineral water bottling) • Tourism (infrastructure) • Information technology/ Consumer electronics • Franchising • Construction • Manufacturing The facility finances both the Greenfield and Brownfield projects with a majority shareholding of Basotho. The loan amount guaranteed does not exceed M5,000,000 (five million maloti). Loans are to be utilised for the purchase of plant and machinery and/or for operating costs / working capital, as well as the purchase of equity stakes in other companies.

LEISURE • With the vast potential of Lesotho’s Tourism industry yet to be fully exploited and it was ranked an impressive 6th out of 181 countries for travel and tourism growth potential during 2012 by the World Travel & Tourism Council; • Lesotho boasts a unique range of tourism resources that can be packaged over a few hours to a week of adventure including, a good choice of accommodation, ranging from sophisticated hotels and casinos to luxurious lodges, comfortable chalets, B&Bs, self-catering cottages and backpacker’s hotels;

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• A chance to experience real Basotho life through home-stays in traditional villages; • Unique African-cum-alphine experience unmatched in Southern Africa; towering Maloti and Drakensberg mountain ranges; surging waterfalls; crystal clear streams and man-made wonders of the highlands water; nature conservation with rich flora and fauna and fascinating prehistoric and cultural heritage, as well as national parks - are a gift for travellers in search of adventure and a destination which offers something out of the ordinary; • Winding mountain roads and an experience of “The Kingdom in the Sky” and the “Switzerland of Africa” with the highest mountain in Southern Africa, Thabana-Ntlenyana; • Travelling further into the highlands, the dramatic “Roof of Africa” route unfolds down into the valley below; • Variety of sites of geological, historical and archeological importance, including rock art in the highlands and dinosaur footprints embedded in the sandstones of the lowlands; • Lesotho’s mountain ranges are home to about 280 different varieties of birds with Sani Pass area ranking as one of the top ten birding spots in Southern Africa; • Africa’s highest ski resort in Lesotho attracts around 12,000 visitors annually

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with activities for the whole family between June and August; • Biking tours are organised over three to five days in March, April, September and December.

EDUCATION • Lesotho’s literacy levels are among the highest on the continent, with an adult literacy rate of 89.7 percent (UNDP, 2011), and female adult literacy around twice that of the sub-Saharan Africa’s average; • Encouraging educational advances remains a focal point of Lesotho’s fiscal policy; • Free Primary Education (FPE) programme was introduced by the Government in 2000 in line with Millennium Development Goal (MDG) of universal primary education and was enacted in 2010 after a proven success record which met the target date of 2015; • Lesotho’s education system is all encompassing supported by wellestablished Pre-School, Primary, Secondary, Non-Formal & Special, Higher Level as well as Technical & Vocational Training facilities and institutions; • College, Technical & Vocational Education presently provide basic, pre-service teacher education to the diploma level for teaching in primary schools and the first three years of secondary school; Certificate and Diploma level in agriculture

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and its mechanisation, home economics, forestry and natural resource management and diploma level in Civil, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering as well as Business Administration; • The National University of Lesotho is the first in Lesotho and historically attached to the Southern African region currently with approximately 11,000 national and international students in its seven faculties comprising Agriculture, Education, Health Sciences, Humanities, Science and Technology, Law and Social Science, as well as Institute of Extra Mural Studies; • The second of the two universities in the country, Limkokwing University of Creative Technology (LUCT) has brought about a new dimension to promote invention, innovation and creative thinking through hi-tech learning environment, where students have access to the latest in digital technology; • The Centre for Accounting Studies has consistently produced professional accounting qualification for both private and public sectors from the Technical to the Chartered Accounting levels.

CULTURE • Lesotho is in the course of establishing itself to showcase its rich and diverse culture and talent; • Recently inaugurated by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural

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Photo: www.miningweekly.com

Organization (UNESCO), the International Jazz Day was celebrated for the first time in Lesotho on 30 April 2012, which marked an addition to the already existing annual events; • Held annually in September or October, the Morija Arts and Cultural Festival is Lesotho’s premier cultural event, attracting corporate sponsorship. It is focused on reviving various aspects of Basotho culture through music, art and dance and boosting the smale-scale business sector demonstrating immense growth in terms of activities, participants and visitors; • March is the month of Moshoeshoe’s Day in which the founder of the Basotho Nation, King Moshoeshoe I, who was a staunch defender of the language, art and culture of Lesotho, is celebrated. The main event takes place in the capital city, Maseru, where visitors can witness the richness of local traditions; • In the same month of March an annual hardcore walk, from Menkhoaneng (the birthplace of Moshoeshoe I) to ThabaBosiu (fortress of refuge) is held to commemorate the historic journey held by the founder of the Basotho nation, King Moshoeshoe I - the journey has become popular both locally and internationally attracting a total of up to 200 people in 2013 as opposed to the first one with 40 people in 2007; • December is the month of music festivals that includes African Melodies Festival

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and the Tourism Jazz Festival, both held in Maseru; • Morija Museum & Archive presenting valuable historical material and museum collections supported by heritage and community-based tourism initiatives; • Thaba-Bosiu Cultural Village is an authentic replica built using the materials and methods of antiquity resembling the originality of the constituent tribes of the early Basotho along with Stone Age cavedwellers and the arrival of the Colonial forces; • Lesotho has a rich heritage to be explored and presents a strong potential for investment in documentary.

Lesotho experiences more than 300 days of sun per year, making anytime a great time to golf – the rains that do fall make the course shine; • Trout fishing, mountain climbing and pony trekking on sure-footed Basotho ponies, and dinosaur footprint hunting are some of the outdoor activities that the sunny Lesotho climate permits; • Lesotho is host to the popular “Roof of Africa” rally which follows the hairpin bends in the Maloti Mountains to Maseru; • Most accommodation facilities have sporting facilities for swimming, tennis and squash; horse racing, netball, basketball and football facilities are also available.

SPORT INVESTMENT • Sports development in Lesotho aims to provide opportunities to both males and females, at all levels and of all ages, backgrounds and abilities through the four stages of development, namely: Foundation, Participation, Performance and Excellence; • Summer marathons are organised during November and December to experience the challenging and exciting route 3,000 metres above sea level over asphalt and gravel roads through the pristine Maloti Mountains; • There is a great nine-hole golf course located in Maseru. The course is home to the annual Mohokare Classic tournament.

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Lesotho‘s focus is on diversifying its FDI and domestic investment portfolio in the various identified sub-sectors in which it has a comparative advantage. The Investment Climate in Lesotho continues to improve demonstrating commitment towards policy reform: • Agriculture, horticulture and aquaculture present opportunities for investment in fish and livestock farming as well as food processing; • Existing production capacity leaves a huge demand gap that provides a local and regional market for food products; • Trade flows indicate that Lesotho has

Photo: www.tourettefishing

revealed a comparative advantage in certain food products; • Opportunities in textiles and garments lie in integration of the industry projects such as manufacture of zips, buttons and other accessories as well as the establishment of a knit fabric mill to supply an industry that produces over 70 million knitted garments a year to service the US and SACU markets; • More investment opportunities include manufacturing of automotive components, consumer electronics and electronic appliances and plastic input products for irrigation and construction; • Beneficiation is an opportunity in the mining industry; as a result, investments are welcome for more value-added activities; • Lesotho has a renewable power generation capacity that can serve the local and regional markets and this area is the fastest growing opportunity in Africa; • The nation has a good command of the English language and educated labour for call centres; • There is a huge supply gap in ICT services to be utilised by the growing industry; • The Lesotho Highlands Water Project presents opportunities for joint venture establishments between Lesotho and RSA businesses and local manufacturing of relevant materials will attract a costcompetitive position for Lesotho.

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Photo: www.petermarsh.eu

LNDC OVER THE YEARS 1967 - 1979 At the inception of LNDC in 1967, the modern manufacturing sector was almost non-existent. Its investment portfolio comprised the hotel industry; a couple of printing presses; small companies producing handicrafts, light fittings and candles as well as commercial services such as garages and a tyre-retreading facility. These represented a total employment of less than 200 jobs.

After 12 years of its establishment, the Corporation held interest in 15 subsidiaries and 14 associate companies with a total of 3,000 jobs. Under the leadership of its first local Managing Director, the Board of Directors of LNDC adopted an Investment Promotion Programme designed to create more jobs through promotional activities to attract a wider spectrum of investment into the country.

1980 - 1985 During this period, LNDC underwent dramatic changes. It started to divest itself from the small handicraft and hospitality industries. The LNDC direct investment expenditure in new manufacturing and strategic commercial projects increased phenomenally from M8.6-million in 1979/80 to M35.3-million in 1985/86. Equally the number of jobs created by the LNDC’s assisted companies increased by over 100% from 3,000 to 6,600.

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1986 - 1992 At this point, the structure of the Corporation’s ownership changed when DEG, a German Investment Finance Company for Developing Countries, acquired a 10% shareholding through the subscription of DM1-million shares. Ninety (90) percent of the shares remained with the Government of Lesotho. Achievements during this period as measured through jobs created, growth in exports and in the establishment of new industries, by far exceeded all those realised since the inception of LNDC. As an illustration, in comparison to 14 new manufacturing companies created over the five-year period 1981 – 1985, LNDC successfully set up over 37 enterprises over the seven-year period from 1986 – 1993 with a total capital call of more than M114-million.

Jobs increased to 11,000 and expressed in wages, this growth represented no less than M30-million per annum going into Basotho households as a result of the newly established firms.

1992 – 1998 This was a turbulent time in the history of the Corporation. It was during this time that LNDC was riding the crest of a wave of an industrial boom when the political riots occurred that nearly wiped out all the achievements acquired after so many years. Nonetheless, performance of the Lesotho Investment Promotion Centre was recorded in a study by Coopers and Lybrand

and published in Corporate Location, a Euromoney publication, as number three in sub-Saharan Africa and among the top 20 in the whole world; this was corroborated by the World Bank. Investor confidence rose dramatically to the extent that apparel exports to the United States far exceeded limits; and, entry of Lesotho exports into this market was put under quotas.

1998 – 2004 This was the period when garment manufacturing in Lesotho got a historically major boost. Lesotho got an official certification by the United States Government for enhanced trade benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) in April, 2001. Lesotho qualified for certification by successfully meeting the prescribed pre-requisites which included good economic and political governance, respect of human rights, lowering trade barriers, among others. AGOA offered duty and quota free access to the huge U.S. market. In 2000, in its quest for development of industry, LNDC focused much on the local business community. To this end, it created a dedicated desk, the ‘Domestic Investment’ to support local entrepreneurs.

The desk continues to market itself to local associations and cooperatives. It is a representative in various fora organised by the private sector. It also lobbies international organisations to support Lesotho’s own local investors.

2013 Diversification of products was welcomed.

LNDC secured investments in the automotive sector that had never existed before. From June 2013, Lesotho-based factories began manufacturing automotive components for BMW, Nissan and Mercedes Benz. As far as development of the local people was concerned, the LNDC began to successfully provide opportunities to Basotho to participate in the clothing sector as equity partners and not just employees, while on the other hand introducing training of youths as textile engineers to learn all aspects of the industry; thus ensuring its sustainability beyond the current cycle of trade preferences.

Investors Lesotho has welcomed a broad spectrum of investments; divesting itself of dependence on textile exports. Some of the leading brands enjoying the benefits of manufacturing from the Mountain Kingdom include: Jonsson Manufacturing/ Jonsson Workwear, Crabtree, Africa Clean Energy, Sun International, AVANI Maseru, Shoprite, Cashbuild, Basotho Fruits and Vegetable Canners, Maloti Mountain Brewery, Lesotho Milling, Loti Brick, Cashbuild, Johnson Controls and Leather Company.

Corporate Social Responsibility Corporate Social Responsibility is of fundamental importance to the LNDC. It is a

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continuous commitment by the Corporation to behave ethically and contribute to economic development; while also improving the quality of life of the local community and society at large. The Corporation has over the years focused its contributions on the following groups: • Humanitarian activities by Lesotho Red Cross, Disaster Management Unit or similar structures; • Youth development in both sports and business entrepreneurship; • Promotion of arts and culture; • Associations of disabled groups; • Disadvantaged communities; • Support for disadvantaged primary, secondary and high schools; • Societies of senior citizens; • HIV and AIDS related initiatives; • Fight against drug and alcohol abuse.

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With the trend of challenges facing the nation, and the desire to respond to the development aspect of the Corporation’s Mission, LNDC has undertaken to fully engage in Corporate Social Investment.

As part of the efforts to raise funds for the extension and refurbishment of Scott Hospital (the birthplace of the Monarch) in celebration of the 50th birthday anniversary of His Majesty King Letsie III, LNDC together with Metropolitan Lesotho, Standard Lesotho Bank and Letšeng Diamonds hosted a Jazz concert by Nnenna Freelon in November 2014. Phase one of the project estimated at M15-million, covers the following components: 24-bed Maternity Ward, 10-bed Labour Ward including, 6-Cot Nursery Units, 4-bed Lactating Mothers, 1 Feeding room, 18-bed General Female Ward, 12-bed TB Female Ward, 4-bed MDR Rooms, Associated and support facilities.

In addition, the Corporation is consulting and collaborating with Lerotholi Polytechnic to manufacture wheelchairs in their School of Engineering. Local production of wheelchairs will provide easy access and reduced costs, made-to-measure production, as well as capacitation of the students in the School of Engineering.

A summary of what Lesotho offers • A textiles and garment industry anchored on abundant labour with good manual dexterity, access to lucrative markets and competitive production costs.

• A booming infrastructure development sub-sector with prospects in construction of industrial, commercial, and residential properties; road networks; logistics and ICT infrastructure.

• A surge in demand for financial and ICT services to support a growing domestic and regional economy.

• Potent uncharted potential in the mining and renewable energy sectors.

• A nation on the move to establish food security and wealth creation through a robust agriculture and agro-processing strategy for investment.

• World-class infrastructure and access to major international ports (sea and air) for shipping goods to/from global destinations.

• A Government that promotes and supports indigenous and Foreign Direct investment.

All these and more in the Kingdom in the sky; Invest, Live and Prosper in Lesotho.

For more information on how to invest in these areas contact: Lesotho National Development Corporation Development House, Maseru 100, Lesotho Email: info@lndc.org.ls Tel: +266 22312012

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LNDC Target Sectors – Investing in Lesotho?

Lesotho National Development Corporation (LNDC)’s primary focus is on the following sectors: • Mining • Agriculture • Tourism • Power generation • Manufacturing sectors (textiles and light assembly work) • Services and Construction

Sectors of Opportunity for Investment in Lesotho Sub-sector

Examples of product clusters for further development

1. Manufacturing 1.1 Textile and Garments

• High Value Garments • Fabric Mill • Accessories e.g zippers, buttons, • Home textiles

1.2 Automotive components

• Leather car seats • Wire harnesses

1.3 Consumer electrical and electronic appliances

• Electronic assembly • Chip assembly • Circuit breakers • Energy saving products

1.4 Plastic products

• Plastic tubes for irrigation and construction • Plastic covers for car batteries

2. Mining

• Sandstone mining • Diamonds • Diamond polishing and cutting • Mining supplier park

ARE YOU FROM SOUTH AFRICA, CANADA OR CHINA?

3. Power Generation

• Hydro, wind and solar power • Bio energy

South Africa LNDC focuses on the South African market to fully integrate the current production activities of Lesotho into regional global chains. This is especially relevant for the textile and garment industry – as well as the automotive industry.

4. Construction

• Lesotho Highlands Water project • Industrial Infrastructure (factory shells)

Canada Canada is known for its medium to large mining operations.Good Linkages in the Canadian market exist for Lesotho.

China China continues to be a potential source of investment in leading product lines such as electronics, plastic products and agro-technologies as well as infrastructure development.

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5. Services 5.1 ICT infrastructure development

• National broadband Network • Innovation Hub • Call Centre services (outbound and inbound)

5.2 ICT services

• Shared Services centres • Fashion designing

5.3 Creative services

• Graphic designs

6. Tourism

• Media technologies • Tourism facilities e.g. Hotels, Recreation Centres, Theme Parks

The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) The leading Ministry that provides strategic direction for Lesotho’s trade and development agenda.

Statement by Honourable Joshua Setipa

Its vision is to play a leading role in the economic development of Lesotho, characterised by growth and innovation; enabling an environment for trade, investment, business and industrial development; private-sector-led job creation; and poverty reduction.

Its mission is to create and maintain an equitable and enabling environment for business and private sector development.

Within this context, relevant agencies have over the years embarked on the creation of enabling regulatory and administrative environment in which business can operate and grow.

The MTI is made up of four departments which are: Trade, Industry, Standards and a One-stop Business Facilitation Centre (OBFC). The purpose of the latter initiative was to make it easier to start and grow business; through the creation of simplified procedures and a suite of services under one roof: • Online company registration (www.obfc. org.ls) • Company registration • Manufacturing licences • Trading licences • Export visas • Import permits • Rebates • Work permits (Manufacturers) • Residents’ permits (Manufacturers) • International Trade Administration, • Business and Investors Counselling

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The Government of Lesotho is committed to economic growth and economic empowerment through institutional reforms, infrastructure development and investment promotion to attain national objectives; which include job creation and poverty eradication. The Ministry of Trade and Industry plays a leading role in the economic development of Lesotho. Indeed, it is an honour to be part of an organisation which contributes to private sector development and continues to formulate legislative reforms to vigorously enhance our investment climate.

This first edition of “Best of Lesotho” could not have come at a more opportune

time, when my Ministry is showcasing legislative reforms, which play a pivotal role to make it cost effective and easier to start business in Lesotho; as well as ensuring transparency and predictability in the business environment.

As we continue to work tirelessly on eradicating cumbersome procedures which have proved to be a barrier to investment, we strive to design our investment environment to address modern era demands and make the kingdom in the sky an investment destination of choice.

The centre currently operates in two districts and is in the process of rolling out to other districts in an effort to make it easier to start businesses nationwide, as well as to make it easy for investors to access the same suite of services in nearby borders.

The OBFC also houses the Lesotho Trade portal which disseminates information about all the business regulatory requirements and trade related issues to the business community.

In order to keep abreast with emerging challenges in the global industrialisation and economic regime, the Ministry piloted the enactment of the Companies Act 2011 and the Industrial Licensing Act 2014. Key to the Companies Act 2011 is the possibility for incorporation of a single shareholder company.

The Trading Enterprises Act together with its Regulations constitute the main tool which seeks to leverage local business in the retailer sector of goods and services.

This Act sets forth regulatory framework for the establishment and operations of business, the thrust of which is licensing and inspectorate.

As recently as 2011, some significant amendments were made on the regulatory framework; with the sole purpose to further reinforce and ease the burden of “doing business” in Lesotho.

Among those amendments the following can be singled out as paramount to this review. These are:

• Extended business hours which includes 24/7 availability of business services, except on selected Public Holidays.

However, the requirement for service providers to comply with labour laws relating to employee working hours is emphasised.

• Furthermore, there are designated businesses that may be operated from residential premises - another deliberate effort by the Ministry essentially meant to empower local business. This is not only seen as a leveraging tool but a conscious move to make local business competitive and profitable - as it not only mitigates against harsh effects of escalating property rates in the city, but further creates and encourages employment in the communities; thereby promoting the emergence of a vibrant SMME sector.

Lesotho’s industrial development policy is driven by a number of factors, including: the country’s ability to attract FDI, securing sustainable market access. In order to sustain this essential investment environment, a number of measures have been put in place to secure a climate conducive to investment through formulation of user-friendly laws, eradicating cumbersome procedures which have proved to be barriers to investment.

Industrial operations are regulated by the Industrial Licensing Act 2014. This

Foreword by Honourable Minister Joshua Setipa

MINISTRY OF TRADE & INDUSTRY Enhancing Trade for all Re Batalatsa Mabala Khoebong

Act ensures that the time between the application and issuance of an industrial licence is as simple, short and cost effective as possible. Its implementation has reduced the number of days to obtain the licence considerably.

The importance of investment by domestic business is rigorously provided for in the investment policy, but the lack of domestic capacity to form capital and the need for access to scarce management and entrepreneurial skills, as well as modern technology, explains an emphasis in the policy on the attraction of foreign direct investment.

Since the domestic market is small, a focus of the investment policy is to produce goods and services for export, both regional, particularly South Africa, and the rest of the world. The government recognised the need to diversify the composition of export goods to be less concentrated in clothing and textiles and to attract investment that is not substantially located in Lesotho for the sake of preferential market access.

Further to the export-led production, Lesotho has embarked on various trade negotiations within the context of bilateral and multilateral trade negotiation to access and sustain market opportunities.

In attracting investments in Lesotho, the MTI focuses on levelling the environment through the development of Industrial Policy, which provides a framework and

strategic focus to guide government actions relating to the promotion of the industrial sector.

This is complemented by Investment policy which further provides measures that are promoting the indigenous business and foreign direct investment.

For the development of indigenous business, policy initiatives exist to: • Facilitate and expand access to finance; • Create benefits from linkages to foreignowned firms; • Provide market protection; • Assist in benefiting from government and large companies procurement.

The Ministry is fully conscious of the significant role of quality and standards infrastructure in the industrial and economic development agenda. Hence why the Quality Policy and Regulatory Framework is instrumental in shaping and reforming the National technical infrastructure, as it will respond quickly to the needs of industry.

The Quality Policy outlines the government’s commitment to develop legislative instrument, as well as institutional arrangements necessary for Standards, Metrology, Conformity Assessment and Accreditation. This process actually allows private sector, both local and foreign, the opportunity to establish infrastructure such as laboratories as business ventures.

An Act establishing a National Standards Institution has been promulgated, and a

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Standardisation programme has been set in motion since 2011. The main objective is to serve as a national forum for all standardisation activities including drafting of national standards. This activity is voluntary and market driven and responsive to the needs of Industry, increasing quality and competiveness.

There is a National Enquiry Point for Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) which provides information on Standards, Regulations and Conformity Assessment Procedures in accordance with the requirements of the WTO TBT Agreement.

These are transparency obligations of notification and publication or dissemination of information to all clients, including Foreign Investors, Exporters and Importers, Regulators, SMMEs, Academia, National Standards Bodies and the Business Community.

The productive sector’s success in Lesotho is centred on the efficiency of the marketing strategies engaged. The initiatives and programmes undertaken ensure that goods produced in Lesotho are assured of constant and reliable markets at all times.

Similarly, the large investments made to boost productive capacity, need to be profitable and satisfy the basic principle of economies of scale in order to make it as sustainable as possible.

Another dimension that constitutes an important aspect of marketing is commercialising agricultural produce and

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engaging in agro-business. This addresses domestic market issues for locally produced products; ensuring that value addition takes place profitably; and that value chain management is well taken care of in order to address pertinent production and supply concerns.

In pursuit of the government’s endeavour to create jobs and reduce poverty, the Ministry has, as one of its many departments, the Department of Cooperatives - which is the sole custodian of Social Enterprises in the country.

The department undertakes to make the concept of community self-help programmes mainstream, ensuring that rural communities are able to engage in income-generating projects such as piggery and poultry farming for their own sustenance and subsistence.

Cooperatives which have proved to be adequately trained and capacitated enough to turn from self-sustenance initiatives into vibrant income-generating projects, contribute to the economic growth of the country.

There are implementing agencies that have been established to implement the policies - including Basotho Enterprise Development Corporation (BEDCO) and Lesotho National Development Corporation (LNDC).

Ministry of Small Business Development, Cooperatives and Marketing (MSCM) Consequently, cooperatives in Lesotho are seen partly as the supply side gap-

fillers for basic commodities and much needed income; predominantly for local communities. As a result, the investor community in Lesotho has over the years benefitted immensely from cooperatives by providing basic food commodities such as meat, eggs etc. These cooperatives are even playing a bigger role in showcasing Lesotho’s cultural heritage by selling handicrafts on site.

The mandate of the The Ministry of Small Business Development, Cooperatives and Marketing (MSCM) is to promote marketing to become an effective tool of agricultural and non-agricultural development, by enacting policy and regulatory framework that promotes commercialisation of the agricultural sector, value adding, absorption of local products into global markets and development of efficient marketing systems.

To provide a marketing policy environment that encourages private sector participation and diversified output according to the country’s comparative/ competitive advantages, facilitating the development of an efficient input and output marketing system. Bedco its a parastatal of this ministry.

The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) Tel: +266 22325272 Email: lihaelon@yahoo.com

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CHAPTER 11 Financial Services

Central Bank of Lesotho

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Standard Lesotho Bank Standard Lesotho Bank was born of the merger of Standard Bank Lesotho and Lesotho Bank (1999) Ltd on 18 July 2006. Standard Lesotho Bank Group is the majority shareholder with the Government of Lesotho and Lesotho Unit Trust owning remaining shares.

In 1995 Standard Bank took over the operations of Barclays Bank DCO, which first opened in Maseru in 1957. The bank was formed on 2 August 1999 to privatise the previously government-owned Lesotho Bank. The formation of Standard Lesotho Bank has resulted in us being closer to our customers around the country. We operate in all 10 districts of Lesotho with our head office in Maseru.

With a market-share above 60%, the bank has a complement of more than 680 staff across its operations in 17 branches countrywide. The bank also operates 84 Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) across the country. We are the largest bank in Lesotho in terms of assets and market share. We also remain one of the most profitable franchises in the Standard Bank Group, which operates in 19 geographies in Africa, enjoying an enduring legacy of over 150 years of banking on the continent.

The bank conducts its operations using the local currency, Maloti, which is perched 1:1 with the South African Rand and other countries within the Common Monetary Area countries which are Lesotho, South Africa, Swaziland and Namibia.

As a point of differentiation, Standard Lesotho Bank subscribes to a customer value proposition that commits to serving our customers by providing products, services and solutions that suit their needs, provided that everything we do for them is based on sound business principles.

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Regardless of the impact of the slow economic recovery that negatively affected both borrowing and saving power, Standard Lesotho Bank achieved a Profit after Tax of M318-million for the year ending December 2014. This achievement represents growth of 9% from the previous year. The financial position remained strong and improved on the previous year to close 2014 at M6,995-million, supporting our continued lending (loans and advances) to business and public at large. Lending grew by 9% from M3.1-billion to M3.4-billion.

The bank continues to demonstrate leadership on its offering of corporate and investment banking business in Lesotho, with a deep specialisation in infrastructure and natural resources.

Standard Lesotho Bank provides services to government, parastatals, larger corporates, financial institutions and international counterparties. We serve our clients local and cross-border requirements for banking, finance, trading, investment, risk management and advisory services.

Through our motivated teams and fit-forpurpose operations, we strive to optimise value for all our stakeholders, and move Africa forward.

We organise ourselves as two business units but present ourselves as one. Our main pillars of business are Personal & Business Banking (PBB) and Corporate & Investment Banking (CIB).

Personal and Business Banking The Personal and Business Banking division comprises of Personal Banking and Business Banking. Personal Banking is responsible for delivering financial solutions to the personal market where we service individual transactional, lending and investment products. We service our Personal Banking clients at Private Banking, Elite Banking as well as the other market segments of Silver and Blue through our branch network, workplace banking as well as electronic channels including Internet and Mobile banking, ATMs and Point of Sale (POS) at major retail outlets.

Our main segments in Personal Banking are: Private banking Our Private Banking package complements your lifestyle by taking care of your financial needs. Our Private Banking is designed to mould perfectly to your needs by giving you the personal attention you want and deserve. This exceptional offering integrates quality banking and wealth advisory services seamlessly with your lifestyle.

Elite Banking Elite Banking is specially designed to keep up with your lifestyle and growing financial needs, giving you the value you are looking for. Elite Banking is for customers and new account holders in what was previously called the Gold Current Account offering.

Silver & Blue The Silver and Blue Card holders cater for the mass market and entry level banking products specially designed for students and low to middle income earners. Main accounts in these segments include Transactional Banking and Personal Current Account.

Business Banking Business Banking offers a wide range of financial solutions under Commercial Banking, Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) and Agribusiness. Our Business Banking provides each customer with a dedicated Account Executive or Business Banker to develop and nurture trusted partnerships with clients in order to link them with effective and fit-for-purpose financial solutions and products.

Our main offering in Business Banking is the Business Transactional Account and a range of investment and lending solutions that favours businesses of all types and sizes. Whatever the opportunities or challenges, we have the local insight and on-the-ground expertise to meet your customer needs.

Corporate and Investment Banking Standard Lesotho Bank’s Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB) provides specialised banking services to governments, parastatals, large corporates, financial institutions and international organisations. We offer transactional banking, finance, trading, investment, risk management and advisory services.

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We achieve this by combining our specialist product expertise and strong local capacity to provide solutions that are fit-forpurpose and highly relevant. As an emerging markets bank, we understand financial systems at different levels of maturity and markets at different stages of development.

The bank is therefore able to provide tailormade solutions and structured financing deals that have contributed immensely towards building Lesotho’s economy, especially in the field of mining, engineering and construction. To date, Standard Lesotho Bank remains the only bank with a fullyfledged treasury, offering a range of services including foreign exchange and letters of credit to investors and other international organisations.

Our team, with its in-depth knowledge of the local market, leverages Standard Bank’s experience in emerging markets globally to develop client-focused solutions; the team also draws on Standard Bank Group’s worldclass risk and capital management systems and global network of experts to ensure that solutions add real value for our clients.

Corporate & Social Responsibility Within the Policy framework and strategic focus of Standard Lesotho Bank, sustaining the operations, profitability and reputation of the bank continues to hinge on the bank’s ability to remain socially responsive and relevant to the communities that we serve. This is why the bank continues to invest about 1% of Profit After Tax (PAT) towards, sponsorships and corporate social investment (CSI) initiatives that continue to make a difference in the lives of Basotho.

At a strategic level, the bank remains committed to supporting initiatives that contribute to the national development agenda and other global priorities including the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

We also recognise the moral obligation to support entrepreneurship that will ultimately grow Lesotho’s economy. The bank also leverages its business through the sponsorship of arts and culture as well as sports development, which the bank views as a way of bringing excitement to the hearts of our loyal clients, whilst simultaneously nurturing talent in the country.

The bank also participates and contributes generously to national efforts in the support and promotion of financial education and financial inclusion. This includes the collaboration with the Central Bank of Lesotho, towards the formulation and implementation of the National Financial Education Strategy.

All these initiatives continue to demonstrate how Standard Lesotho Bank values the partnership it has with its customers. It is testimony to the longstanding relationship of mutual trust and mutual support to communities that continue to take Standard Lesotho Bank forward over the years. When the bank continues to reap profitable rewards from the business it derives out of Basotho, it moves forward together with the communities that it serves.

Standard Lesotho Bank Tel. +266 2221 2221 www.standardlesothobank.co.ls

Letshego Financial Services Lesotho (LFSL)

Your preferred financial partner. Responsible Solution. Financial Success.

Letshego Financial Services Lesotho (LFSL) opened doors in Lesotho in September 2012, as a creditonly licenced financial service provider, providing a range of simple, affordable financial solutions.

LFSL serves the lower income segments of the working population mainly in formal employment using leading edge, technology-led distribution channels for both sales and superior service.

Doreen Van Tonder – Chief Executive Officer

Keneilwe Matseke – Head of Operations

LFSL is a subsidiary of Letshego Holdings Limited (LHL). LHL is incorporated in Botswana and commenced trading in 1998.

LHL became a public company and was listed on the Botswana Stock Exchange in 2002. LFSL was initially registered by the Central Bank of Lesotho under the CreditOnly Financial Institutions Regulations 2010 and now falls under Financial Institutions (Credit-Only and Deposit Taking MicroFinance Institutions) Regulations, 2014.

LFSL has strived to be the best provider of affordable and appropriate financial services for individuals in Lesotho with the key objective of becoming their preferred partner. Since inception two years ago,

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LFSL’s portfolio has grown to about Lesotho Loti 250-million with over 6,000 clients. LFSL provides financial assistance to individuals only, in the form of unsecured loans ranging between LSL1,000 and 250,000 over periods ranging from six to 60 months.

LFSL recognises the demand for affordable credit and the Government’s call for services that foster income generation and wealth development. To this end, our model is ideal. Prudent business principles have always governed our actions, and this is reflected in the good quality growth LFSL has recorded. The company has offered simple products and continues to grow its footprint in Lesotho. Currently LFSL has

offices in Butha-Buthe, Leribe, Mafeteng and Mohales-hoek with the central point of distribution in Maseru. Plans are underway to open more access points in future.

Every effort has been made to employ and train Basotho to manage and run the business. Non-management positions were initially 20 and the head count has grown to 30 as we roll out new customer access points in other locations around Lesotho.

Letshego’s Current Solution Set Across the Group, Letshego offers innovative and competitively priced loans between US$1,000 and US$60,000 that are appropriate to its clients’ every-day needs,

Management Team: (from the Right) Ms. Mafusi Kome, Mr. Thabo Kotelo, Ms. Doreen Van Tonder and Ms. Keneilwe Matseke

LFSL – Maseru Office

mainly through the deduction at source payroll model. The diversity of its product range was increased in 2012 through the acquisition of Micro Africa Limited in East Africa – providing loans to micro and small enterprises (MSE), Groups as well as the low income segment. Letshego believes that its products must be simple to understand, affordable and inclusive. Further, Letshego has commenced deposit-taking activities in certain countries. The diversity of its product range was increased in 2012 through the acquisition of Micro Africa Limited in East Africa – providing loans to micro and small enterprises (MSE), Groups as well as the low income segment. Letshego believes that

Maseru Team

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its products must be simple to understand, affordable and inclusive. Further, Letshego has commenced deposit-taking activities in certain countries.

The Group’s brand is trusted across Africa and has been built around being responsive to customers’ needs. Letshego is committed to ethical lending and full compliance with regulations and guidelines as set by its Regulators in all countries in which it operates.

Strong Growth, Performance and Returns Over the last decade the Group has expanded across Africa from its origins in Botswana. During this time it showed strong growth in customer advances and profitability. In the eleven months to 31 December 2014 advances increased 28% to US$632-million and profit before tax for the same period closed at US$108-million (annualised US$118-million). The Group has continued to grow its market share, while maintaining good asset quality.

Strategic Priorities For the future, Letshego’s strategic priorities are to transform its business through becoming a deposit taking financial institution in a number of markets and expanding into geographies with high growth prospects. In particular it will seek opportunities for further diversification of the business where there are financial inclusion requirements and a need for productive lending. It will remain committed to further expanding its footprint in rural areas where today access to financial services remains limited. In short, Letshego will be developing its franchise across Africa while upholding its brand promise of being “Your preferred partner – committed to improving lives”.

Deposit Taking Following on from Letshego Mozambique, which has been a licenced micro-bank since its 2010 inception, commencing deposit-

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taking in February 2014, Letshego Rwanda also launched its current, fixed and savings deposit services in October 2014. Letshego Namibia has been granted a provisional banking licence effective July 2014 which the Group is working towards confirming in mid-2015. These developments have required, and continue to demand significant investment. A new fully integrated, core banking system, TCS Bancs, with Oracle Financials, is being implemented across the Group, with seven countries already live and two to be completed in late 2015.

In addition, a commitment to up-skilling of its staff as well as close co-operation with our regulators and Governments across our regions has been vital.

Financial Inclusion Letshego has positioned itself to assist governments with their financial deepening and financial inclusion agendas. Our strategy is designed to enable low income customers as well as micro and small businesses to access Letshego’s services, with an emphasis on meeting savings, money transfer and borrowing needs. These will be developed and released in 2015 and beyond, with a focus on simplicity, accessibility and responsiveness.

Corporate Social Investment (CSI) Social responsibility and sustainability have become an integral part of Letshego’s business model that aims to address social, environmental, ethical lending and consumer concerns in close co-operation with all its stakeholders. It looks to commit up to 1% of profit after tax annually and invests this into programmes where real needs exist in the health and education sectors as well as where productive livelihoods can be promoted.

• Specifically Letshego: • Endeavours proactively to initiate solutions;

• Supports projects that are apolitical and are not driven by self-interest agendas; • Has created a corporate culture in which employees give back to the community in partnership with the company and other stakeholders – “Let’s Give Days”.

Maseru Branch MGC Headquarters Ground Floor Tel: +266 22031017 Mafeteng Branch Mini Mall Next Main Traffic Circle, Opposite Econet Tower Tel: +266 22701017 Quthing Branch Zakura Building Cnr Mt Moorosi and Quthing Town Junction Tel: +266 27001017 Leribe Branch Teba Building Hlotse Hlotse Main Street Avenue Tel: +266 22401017 Butha-Buthe Branch Lesotho Muslim Congregation Build Between Nedbank and FNB, Opposite Ecoshop Tel: +266 22461017 SMS or call US on: +266 56963701 (Vodacom) +266 67312108 (Econet) www.letshego.com

Lesotho Road Fund The Road Fund was established by Finance Legal Notice No. 179 of 1995. The Fund is managed by the Board whilst day-to-day activities of the Fund are administered by the Secretariat headed by the Chief Executive Officer.

The Road Fund, which is a fund specifically dedicated for funding maintenance of roads, was established by the Lesotho Government through Legal Notice No. 179 of 1995. The main reason for establishing the Fund, like many other countries in the World, was to shift the burden of financing maintenance of Lesotho’s road infrastructure from general taxes collected by the central fiscus to road user fees, and to close the persistent financing gaps that characterised road maintenance prior to the establishment of the Fund.

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This policy shift essentially means that “roads are brought to the market place, are put on a fee-for-service and are managed like a business”. The “fee-for-service” concept therefore, means that the road users have to pay commensurate fees for the use of roads in order that the roads may be maintained on a sustainable basis.

Our core purpose is to collect from the following revenue streams: • Road toll gate fees; • All cross border fees and levies;

• Registration, license and clearance fees on motor vehicles; • Short-term permits and special permits for motor vehicles; • Road maintenance levy on petrol and diesel; • Fines on overloaded vehicles; • Fines for road traffic offences; • Interest earned on deposited funds; • Cost share paid into the Fund by Community Councils for works on urban and rural community roads; • Any other road user charges; and

• Any sums appropriated to the Fund including donor funding.

And to finance the following: • Routine, emergency and periodic maintenance of all roads in Lesotho; • Urban and rural community roads, on a cost share basis; • Road rehabilitation, road upgrading, new road works and road safety projects; and • Any other project or the matter connected with roads.

Where we do Business The Implementing Agencies which receive funds from the Road Fund for the purpose of executing the above operations are: • Roads Directorate (previously the Roads Branch and the Department of Rural Roads); • Maseru Municipal Council; • Ministry of Local Government and Chieftainship; and • Road Safety Department and the Department of Traffic and Transport.

Lesotho Road Fund Tel: (+266) 2232-1696 / (+266) 2232-1697 Fax: (+266) 2232-1698 Email: roadfund@lesoff.org.ls www.roadfund.org.ls

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Interchange Lesotho Interchange Lesotho is a Lesotho private company owned and managed by two Lesotho women.

Interchange started operating on 18 September 2012 when two daring Basotho women opened Lesotho’s first privately-owned foreign exchange and money transfer enterprise. Co-Directors Ponti Ramakatane and Topollo Dzingwa’s landmark initiative provides an easy and safe way of sending and receiving cash to and from other countries.

Their experience is vast – with Dzingwa’s banking experience dating back to 1977 with the Lesotho Bank and Ramakatane’s experience at American Express after she left Lesotho Bank in 1998.

The idea for the initiative was born in 2001 but was delayed after the proposal was sent to the Central Bank of Lesotho due to

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regulations. Their determination saw the Co-Directors hold out until 2010 before their licence was eventually granted. However, they then had to seek a new International partner before eventually being able to open in 2012.

It seems to have been worth the wait as that partner, the Interchange Group, operates through its subsidiaries and branches in six European countries, Southern Asia and the French Overseas territories. It is also Western Union’s main agent in Central and Eastern Europe, Swaziland, Lesotho and the French Overseas Territories.

As one of the leading Foreign Exchange groups in Europe, partner and shareholder Interchange brings a wealth of knowledge

and experience in the Foreign Exchange market.

Interchange Lesotho’s corporate goal is to be a major foreign exchange service provider in Lesotho to all the world’s travellers, as well as the leader in money transfer.

Lesotho is a growing economy which has significant growth potential in essentially every sector of the economy. As more opportunities are explored, there will be need for an efficient, experienced and globally networked professional foreign exchange bureau and money transfer business.

Their sole branch is in the Pioneer Mall in Maseru with another anticipated at the Moshoeshoe International Airport. Their vision is to expand throughout Lesotho.

This has been a huge relief to many foreign nationals and locals wishing to send and receive money to and from their families.

Other services include buying and selling major currencies, as well as a travel card facility. The travel card works like a debit card which can be used in most parts of the world for purchases and ATM withdrawals in local currency. Money transfer is operated through any Western Union branch or agency abroad.

Our services are as follows: • Foreign Bank Notes (Major Currencies) Buy & Sell • Western Union® Money Transfer • Pre-Paid Currency Card

Interchange’s place in the Lesotho market is firmly entrenched and can only strengthen as more economic investment triggers the growth of various sectors, resulting in an inflow of more expatriate workers and services which require international money transfers.

Interchange Lesotho (Pty) Ltd. The Pioneer Mall Shop UG 21 Cnr Pioneer & Mpilo, Maseru, Lesotho Tel: +266 22324296 Fax: +266 22324296 Email: sales@interchangelesotho.co.za

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CHAPTER 12 Insurance

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Alliance Insurance Co. Ltd Alliance Insurance Co. Ltd was established in 1993, when a group of predominantly local businessmen with the vision of creating an extraordinary company, acquired an insurance licence of one of the only two short-term insurers in the country at that time.

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The Company is structured to promote focus on excellent service to our clients. We are committed to creating and unlocking wealth for our policyholders, investors and shareholders. We are structured into three business units: Corporate Services, Short Term and Life divisions.

Alliance has its Operational Head Office in Maseru with branches in Maseru, Teyateyaneng, Maputsoe, Hlotse, ButhaButhe, Mokhotlong, Qacha’s Nek, Quthing, Mohale’s Hoek, Mafeteng and Thaba-Tseka.

The company has grown from strength to strength over the years, increasing its staff complement from five in 1993 to over 70 employees and over 130 Sales Agents respectively to date.

The company is committed to Lesotho, and we see it as our responsibility to develop the insurance and asset management industry in the country. We believe in supporting local industry to the fullest extent, and preference is given to Basotho-owned companies.

The company has become a major financial services pioneer providing innovative risk and wealth solutions in Lesotho. Through a focused risk management approach, and an impressive cycle of organic growth, Alliance has become the second largest long-term insurer in Lesotho by premium income according to a recent survey by the Central Bank of Lesotho. We promote integrity, quality Service and common sense solutions in partnership with our clients.

Corporate Social Investment Driven by one of our core values, “Committed to the community”, we strive to build lasting alliances with the communities within which we operate. It is through the support of the host of communities around us that we are able to maintain our promise to give back to the society. These include support in the improvement of school infrastructure, giving learners hope, and a more conducive and safe learning environment. We are also a prominent supporter of sports through various sponsorship initiatives from soccer to cycling.

Our values drive our social involvement and inform the Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives we embark in; in

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an attempt to uplift lives while taking into account the eminent social concerns and needs.

Short Term The economy of Lesotho is mostly sustained by SMMEs, parastatals and large multinational companies investing in the Mountain Kingdom. The collapse of any business by any reason, greatly impacts against the economy of the country. Scores of men and women go unemployed, crime rate increases and the list goes on.

It is for these reasons that Alliance Insurance through its Short Term Division was propelled to offer a wide range of insurance solutions for all types of businesses.

Types of Business Insurance Coverage offered by Short Term: • Buildings combined Insurance A buildings combined Insurance policy offers broad-spectrum protection against financial loss resulting from damage to the business property. The damage may result from theft following forcible entry, accidental damage, fire, flooding and other disasters.

The policy can also cover the legal liability of the owner for any bodily injury suffered in any occurrence related to the business.

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• Business Interruption Insurance This provides cover against loss of profits following interruption or interference with business operations for specified and defined events. It is worth mentioning that, there cannot be a standalone Business Interruption policy, there must be underlying buildings combined policy or fire policy. The former is advocated for, because it has a broader cover spectrum compared to the latter.

• Professional Indemnity Insurance Professions that give advice and/or provide services to consumers in which errors of commission or omission may eventuate in substantial liability, may require professional indemnity insurance. These can include such businesses as: Medicine, Dentistry, Law, Accounting and etc.

• Constructors All Risks The mountain Kingdom’s infrastructure is developing rapidly. There are multiple construction works around this beautiful country. Therefore, we feel it is our responsibility to protect the construction companies against financial losses that may result in the course of business operations; Constructors All Risks policy is one way we

offer protection for such.

The contract governing the construction works will place the responsibility for this loss or damage with either the Contractor or Employer.

Our Contractors All Risks insurance policy can protect either party against the cost of this loss or damage.

• Cover for damage to permanent and temporary works and free issue materials, whilst on site and whilst in transit to and from site; • Cover for owned and hired in plant and machinery; • Up to 24 months cover after completion for contractual obligations forming part of the maintenance or defects liability period; • Cover for any party that is required to be a joint named insured under the contract; • Additional cover as standard including Professional fees and Debris Removal.

Short Term has a team of passionate, experienced and knowledgeable Underwriters and Claim processors to ensure the best service delivery at all times for all your business needs.

Life The company has become a major financial services pioneer providing innovative risk

and wealth solutions in Lesotho. Through focused risk management approach, and an impressive cycle of organic growth, Alliance has become the second largest long-term insurer in Lesotho by premium income according to a recent survey by the Central Bank of Lesotho. We promote integrity, quality service and common sense solutions in partnership with our clients.

Alliance offers a comprehensive range of financial services to the greater retirement fund industry and the general public. The services include: • Life Assurance: where we provide death, disability, funeral, credit life and other types of cover to retirement funds, employers or organised groups; • Individual Funeral: most affordable solutions for those who need it the most. Our products do not discriminate by age or employment; • Retirement Funds: administration to medium sized and large schemes on a stand-alone basis. Alternatively the schemes can elect to participate in our Umbrella fund “Lesotho Employers Pension Fund”; • Retirement Funds: administration to small and medium enterprises through our Lesotho Employers Pension Umbrella Fund; • Asset Management: we provide our clients with a choice of pre-selected investment portfolios from within our investment platform. Alternatively clients can choose investment portfolios offered by our asset management service providers which include all asset managers registered in Lesotho plus other South African based asset Managers through the locally registered Lisp investment platforms; • Unclaimed benefit funds: where unclaimed benefits longer than 24 months are placed.

We also provide the following services through our technical partners: • Investment consulting, investment strategy and Investment Policy Statements. These services are critical in enabling the board of trustees/ committees to formulate investment mandates for the fund; • Trustee Training which is important for the development and support of retirement fund trustees and employers’ board of management to ensure that good governance practices are understood and adhered to.

Alliance Life business philosophy is built around: • A common sense solutions approach; • Delivering an excellent service to our clients; • A focus on advice; • Clear, accurate and transparent reporting; • Relationship based service; • Value for money and treating customers fairly.

Alliance Insurance Company Limited Alliance House, 4 Bowker Rd, Maseru, Lesotho P.O. Box 01118, Maseru West, 105, Lesotho Tel: +266 2231 2357 Fax: +266 2231 0313

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Thaba-Bosiu Risk Solutions Trust us for all your Insurance Needs and Risk Management Advice

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We offer products which are tailor-made to our clients` requirements. Our professional staff will give you sound insurance advice, and will structure a package that suits your specific needs.

Domestic Insurance Our personal lines insurance division offers quality short-term insurance covers.

Types of covers include the following: • Householders – (House contents) • Houseowners – (Buildings) • All Risks – (Jewellery, Cameras, Laptops etc) • Motor Vehicles (Comprehensive, Balance of Third Party, Third Party, Fire & Theft) • Personal Accident • Travel Our rates are particularly attractive to those who have invested in security features for their homes and motor vehicles.

Corporate and Commercial We look after interests of all types and sizes of businesses from the small “home offices” right up to large corporates.

• Fire & Allied Perils • Assets All Risks • Liability • Goods in Transit • Accident Insurance • Construction Insurance • Engineering Insurance • Travel Insurance • Motor Vehicles • Professional Indemnity • Workmen’s compensation Other Services • Claims Management • Risk Management Life Assurance / Employee Benefits • Retirement (Pension & Provident Fund) • Group Schemes (Death & Disability) • Group Funeral Schemes • Students Medical Aid We Do Risk You Do Business.

Contacts: 1st Floor Options Building, Pioneer Road, P/Bag A244, Maseru 100 Tel: (+266) 22 313 018/52 500 404/5 Fax: (+266) 22 310 513 Email: thaba-bosiu.co.ls www.thaba-bosiu.co.ls

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CHAPTER 13 Communications Regulation

The Lesotho Communications Authority Lesotho Communications Authority is the national regulatory agency responsible for regulating the communications sector in Lesotho. It was established in June 2000 as a body corporate and regulates three key areas of the communications sector which are: telecommunications, broadcasting, and postal services.

VISION To be an effective, efficient and stakeholder responsive communications regulator whilst ensuring sustainability of the environment.

MISSION The Authority shall effectively manage finite resources and promote competition while protecting consumers.

VALUE STATEMENT The Authority shall maintain integrity and professionalism in regulatory and corporate affairs.

MOTTO Fairness to all and allegiance to none.

In 1999, the Government of Lesotho adopted a telecommunications policy1, setting out the basis for privatisation of the incumbent telecommunications company, Lesotho Telecommunications Corporation (LTC), and liberalisation of the telecommunications sector. Subsequent to that, Lesotho Telecommunications Authority (LTA) was established by LTA Act No. 5 of 2000 as a regulator for telecommunications sector. The Act gave LTA the mandate to regulate the sector and licence the service providers, a role that was, until then, played by LTC, which therefore acted as a regulator as well as a service provider. The Act was amended in 2001 to include broadcasting as one other area for regulation by the Authority. The Act was further amended in 2006 and 2007 to change the founding name from Lesotho Telecommunications Authority to Lesotho Communications Authority (LCA) in order to

extend its regulatory mandate over the entire communications sector.

Following further liberalisation of the sector in 2007 and convergence of communication services, a new Communications Policy was adopted in 2008. To support this policy, a new Communications Act No. 4 of 2012 was promulgated, repealing the LTA Act of 2000 and its related amendments. Among other key areas, the new Act introduced regulation of postal services. The intentions of the Communications Act, 2012 are: a) To integrate the regulation of telecommunications, broadcasting and postal sector in order to introduce efficient methods and practices which would meet international standards; b) To facilitate the introduction of a converged regulatory regime for the provision of communication service parameters; 1

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The Lesotho Telecommunications Policy 1999.

c) To enhance consumer protection by ensuring that the Authority monitors quality of services rendered; d) To introduce competition regulation safeguards by dominant licensee (s); e) To enhance tariff regulation on operators classified as dominant licensees; f) To facilitate infrastructure sharing by operators in order to foster universal access; g) To efficiently manage universal access to communication services in order to ensure that communications services are available to Basotho in under-served and unserved areas; and h) To introduce an element of self-regulation in the broadcasting services.

Promotion and development of the communications sector Despite daunting challenges such as a difficult terrain of the country, the sector continues to grow and has shown resilience even during the recent global economic meltdown. For instance, since liberalisation started, sector’s teledensity2 has increased in leaps and bounds from 1% in 2000 to 98% in 2014.

Through the network operators and Universal Service Fund projects, significant inroads have been made in terms of extending network coverage in the country. For instance, in 2002, only one network operator had services in the mountain districts. This was in fact only limited to the urban areas. However, ten years later, about 80% of the country has mobile network coverage, and both network operators, Vodacom Lesotho (VCL) and Econet Telecom Lesotho (ETL), have some extensive network coverage in the rural areas. However, challenges remain since there are still a number of areas that do not have network coverage, 2

Teledensity measures the number of fixed or mobile phones per hundred inhabitants.

mainly because of the mountainous topography of the country.

National development plans The Lesotho’s National Strategic Development Plan 2012/13 – 2016/17, recognises the role of ICTs as an important facet in national development: “Lesotho has experienced a decade of high growth in the sector, driven by mobile phone technology. The main goal is to build on this success and continue to improve the operating environment and backbone infrastructure. The Government will facilitate access to high-speed broadband and to basic ICT services throughout the country, widen ICT literacy and review and implementation of the e-Government strategy. It is also important to facilitate smooth migration from analogue to digital terrestrial television.

Promotion of e-services and development of niche ICT sub-industries through FDI and research and development as well as enhancing surveillance capacity to deal with cybersecurity ….3”.

Invest in the communications sector The communications sector in Lesotho is abound with opportunities. Talk to us about the opportunities in the sector.

Contact details: Lesotho Communications Authority 6th Floor Moposo House Kingsway Road P.O. Box 15936 Maseru 100 Lesotho Tel: +266 2222 4300 / +266 5222 1300 Fax: +266 2231 0984 Email: admin@lca.org.ls www.lca.org.ls 3

National Strategic Development Plan 2012/13 – 2016/17

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CHAPTER 14 Telecommunications

Vodacom (Lesotho)

Global Company with Local Flair Vodacom Lesotho is a locally rooted company with a 19-year rich history in Lesotho, with global links through Vodacom Group in South Africa and the Vodafone Group originating from the UK. Vodacom Lesotho is proud of the journey to date and excited by future growth prospects.

The Company has invested significantly, launched innovative first-in-market products, employed talented Basotho and contributed towards the socioeconomic development of Lesotho. Today, Vodacom Lesotho is the leading total communications operator serving over 1.3 million customers every month, equating to 67% of the total population of Lesotho; and growing. Vodacom Lesotho believes its story is a true demonstration of the success that can be created when companies work closely with the Government of Lesotho and execute upon strategies aligned with those of the national interest.

To date, the company has invested in excess of M1.2 billion in infrastructure in the country and provides an efficient and effective mobile coverage, with greater than 90% population coverage through over 220 sites and Mobile Switching Centres, and has partnered with the Lesotho Communications Authority (LCA) in utilising the Universal Service Fund

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(USF) to provide mobile network coverage to remote areas, which are difficult to serve on a commercial basis. The Company has an internal and outsourced workforce of over 250 people in its operation, and more than 2500 people working for company partners, distributors, contractors and suppliers.

Vodacom Lesotho’s future business plans, products and Strategies Vodacom Lesotho is committed to building on its achievements to date and is growing to become a total communications company, providing world class services, and making a significant contribution to national policy objectives.

1 Vodacom Lesotho will continue to invest in increased mobile network coverage, with a focus on increasing access to mobile data services, and subject to being granted a Unified Licence targeted investment in fibre to support national broadband objectives.

In the next 5 years, estimated to invest a further M600 Million.

In May 1996, Vodacom Lesotho launched in Lesotho with one cellphone tower and 15 employees. Today, Vodacom has over 235 sites, over 250 employees, and over 3000 selling points across Lesotho. At the very heart of this transformation, has been our inherent desire to connect Basotho, not just to one another, but to the rest of the world. When Vodacom launched, the network was only capable of delivering a 2G internet connection to customers.

Being a company anchored on innovation and staying ahead of the curve, Vodacom Lesotho achieved another milestone in 2008 and launched the country’s first mobile 3G internet connection. The introduction of 3G revolutionised the way every Mosotho interacts with the internet,

3 Vodacom Lesotho will continue to invest in increased mobile network coverage, with a focus on increasing access to mobile data services, and subject to being granted a Unified Licence targeted investment in fibre to support national broadband objectives. In the next 5 years, estimated to invest a further M600 Million.

and the way businesses operate across the country; this advancement ensured that Lesotho’s internet network remained on par with technology advancements across the world.

The company introduced another first to Lesotho’s technology landscape in 2014 with the launch of LTE, an internet connection that is at the forefront of internet technology in countries across the world. This illustrates the company’s commitment to invest in new technologies to ensure that Lesotho’s communications services grow in line with international communications priorities and also builds on our efforts to improve access to and affordability of high speed broadband services.

Vodacom Lesotho is committed and determined to expand M-Pesa mobile money and make it a part of everyday life and transacting in Lesotho; promoting the realisation of its true benefits to driving the economy.

The Company aims to build an ecosystem to support cross channel payment support for business, Government e-payment requirements, support to utility providers and entrepreneurs, and regular consumer payment and transaction needs, hence make M-Pesa a ‘payment channel of choice’ in order to meet the following objectives: The road map for the M-pesa ecosystem also includes adding other value-added services such as micro-financing for individuals and SMMEs, insurance premiums, and interest

2 Using Vodafone Group and Vodacom Group resources and scale, Vodacom Lesotho will continue investing to bring international technological, terminals and service innovation in communication services to Lesotho, growing access to and use of data communications services

The Company sees increasing take up of mobile data services as a key priority for the current and future strategy. This is why significant investment continues in 3G and 4G networks well as targeted investment in fibre as part of its rollout plans.

Today, the sub-Saharan region’s mobile phone market is dominated by 2G enabled basic and feature phones, however over the coming years there will be a significant increase in the number of smartphones. Cognisant of this trend, Vodacom Lesotho is committed to reducing the cost of smartphones and enabling more customers to connect to high-speed broadband internet; hence the introduction of the low cost Vodacom Kicka Smartphone and the Smart Tab. The Company has also set as one of its priorities to extend the 3G data population coverage to match 2G population voice coverage.

bearing (savings) accounts. These services will be able to reach the financially excluded population at lower costs. The company also intends to introduce International Remittances that will help many Basotho working in South Africa to send money home safely at low cost.

Through maintaining a robust regulatory environment, yet flexible enough to allow for innovative and crucial payment services to be integrated into M-Pesa, the Government of Lesotho together with the Central Bank of Lesotho can facilitate a substantial growth of mobile money services within Lesotho, while ensuring well monitored systems to prevent money laundering and fraud. This will lead to much quicker gains in human development, financial inclusion and economic activity indices for the country.

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Vodacom Lesotho Foundation As part of entrenching itself in meeting the needs of the local community, in 2009, Vodacom Lesotho established the Vodacom Lesotho Foundation, with the aim to develop a more focused strategy to invest into the communities that the Company services.

The Foundation was mandated to invest in critical areas of development, in line with the Government of Lesotho’s national strategic development (NSDP). Since its inception, the Foundation has invested a total of close to M4-million, in the areas of health, education, economic empowerment and entrepreneurship, gender equity and women and youth empowerment. The Foundation, in partnership with Vodafone Foundation has committed to invest a further M100-million, into Lesotho over the next five years.

The Vodacom Innovation Park | Entrepreneurship The Vodacom Innovation Park officially opened in 2015 as a technology-based

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business Incubator for young entrepreneurs in Lesotho, in any area of business, that are looking to leverage the power of technology and mobile communications to differentiate, and make their businesses more competitive and productive.

The programme provides resources, co-working space, training and funding to entrepreneurs to help them bring their ideas to market. Twice every year the Innovation Park will take in a number of entrepreneurs to go through an intensive 12-week training programme which will entail rigorous training in new and innovative ways of running successful businesses and will include world class mentoring and providing basic support needed by start – ups so that they can grow into sustainable employers and contributors to the national economy.

The project is aimed at encouraging and instilling an overall culture of entrepreneurship in the youth of Lesotho to curb the effects of the devastatingly high unemployment rate of young people. Job creation is a key driver in the development of the country and this initiative is aimed at helping the Government of Lesotho address this challenge. On top of the job creation that will result from the establishment and strengthening of more businesses in Lesotho; the initiative’s heavy investment in technology will have far-reaching ripple effects across all sectors of the economy. The Vodacom

Foundation is investing close to M1,5million into this game-changing initiative, and further investments long-term to ensure sustainability and continuity of the program.

Vodacom iSchool Lesotho | Education As part of Vodacom’s dedication to improving educational outcomes in Lesotho, the Vodacom Lesotho Foundation partnered with iSchool, a Zambia based education company that aims to drastically improve educational outcomes in primary schools by introducing tablet based, interactive learning for pupils.

Vodacom imported the iSchool model and worked closely with the Ministry of Education in Lesotho, and the iSchool company to launch a 5-school pilot in 2015, with the aim to expand the program to more schools in the future. It is aimed at building a culture of critical thinking and problem solving in children with the objective of unlocking their full potential. Vodacom Foundation Lesotho, has committed to investing over M1-million in this multi-year project with more investment planned beyond the pilot phase.

The tablets contain all the material the teachers and the students need, 5,000 lesson plans, 12,000 interactive lessons, along with audio and visual material within the lessons to aid student engagement and interactive learning. They contain approved primary school curriculum by the Ministry of Education, and because of their mobile

nature, easily overcome the challenges of lack of school supplies.

Moyo Lesotho | Health Launched in 2014, the Moyo Lesotho Campaign, also known as Project Leseli, is an initiative that aims to invest over M120-million into Lesotho’s health system over the next four years.

The Vodafone Foundation and Vodacom Lesotho, in partnership with the Ministry of Health and various in country and international partners, are taking the Vodafone M-Pesa ‘Text to Treatment’ model, currently used in Tanzania for maternal health programmes, to Lesotho. Using the mobile money payment system, the programme will look to identify and support the travel costs of those children living with HIV/AIDS who have not been accessing healthcare. The programme also aims to increase the number of women accessing prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) programmes which prevents transmission from HIV+ mothers to their new-born children. The programme will also provide mobile clinics that reach mothers and children in the rural communities where they live – for many communities this will be the first time that this primary health care provision has existed. www.vodacom.co.ls

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CHAPTER 15 Roads Infrastructure, Builders and Contractors

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Roads Directorate The Roads Directorate was established as a corporate body by the Roads Directorate Act of 2010.

The Directorate is mainly responsible for construction, upgrading, rehabilitation and maintenance of primary, secondary, tertiary and other roads as well as bridges on the Lesotho Road Network.

The Roads Directorate was created in response to the reform of the roads subsector. It was formed by the merger and restructuring of the former Roads Branch (RB) and former Department of Rural Roads (DRR).

The Directorate was established mainly for better service delivery and more effective and efficient management of the road network.

Vision To make all parts of Lesotho accessible through safe and sustainable road infrastructure.

Mission Provision of an efficient user-focused, well managed road infrastructure network that

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is safe, suitable, reliable, accessible and in harmony with the environment.

Slogan Conquering Mountains and Streams for Prosperity Corporate Values • Professionalism • Integrity • Transparency • Fairness • Accountability • Excellence • Team work and Commitment • Service ethics • Risk management improvement

• Empowering employees and stakeholders The total road network in Lesotho is approximately 5,865km in length of which 1,526km are paved, 3,037km are graveled, 1,170km are earth roads and 132km are tracks. In addition, the road network consists of 260 footbridges and 56 bridges and mini bridges.

The road network infrastructure is comprised of roads that are of national and international importance (arterial roads / primary and secondary roads), rural access - including some secondary, tertiary and feeder/minor roads, footbridges and nonmotorized transport infrastructure such as bridle and footpaths, Maseru Municipal

2012 – Completion of Mohlapiso Bridge 2012 – Deployment of former Roads Branch and Department of Rural Roads staff to Local Authorities

and urban roads. Furthermore there are many unrecorded kilometers of minor roads, streets and footpaths which have been opened by communities.

The following are some of the major construction projects that the organisation is currently undertaking: • 140km arterial road linking Roma and Ramabanta traversing Semonkong to Qacha’s Nek; • 42km road connecting the town of Mokhotlong and Sani Pass border; • Koma Koma bridge over Senqu River in Thaba Tseka District; • 10km road linking Alwyn ‘s kop to Tele Bridge in Quthing District; • 37km road connecting the villages of

Nyenye, Mapoteng and ‘Makhoroana linking the northern districts of Leribe and Berea; • Bethel Bridge in Mohale’s Hoek.

Key Milestones 2010 – Legislation of the Roads Directorate as a semi-autonomous government agency 2010 – Completion of the 80-metre suspended footbridge in Ha Mofutho in Qacha’s Nek 2011 – Handing over of assets of former Roads Branch and Department of Rural Roads to local authorities 2012 – Construction of a road and two bridges over the Senqu and Senqunyane rivers in Qacha’s Nek

The Training Centre The Roads Directorate established a Training Centre which facilitates the delivery of technical training and skills development of contractors.

The centre offers training for contractors and staff in both equipment and labourbased road construction and maintenance techniques as well as business entrepreneurship. The types of courses offered, particularly non-conventional labourbased road construction and maintenance methods, are organised for existing and aspiring contractors and consultants.

The Centre also functions as a venue for training for other government ministries as well as non-governmental organisations.

For further information please visit our website: www.rd.org.ls Or info@rd.org.ls Roads Directorate Head Office P.O. Box 194 Maseru 100 Lesotho Tel: +266 22 324191 Fax: +266 22 310123

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Lesotho Consolidated Civil Contractors Founded in 2000, our never-ending goal is to be The Best Builder in Lesotho. We are one of the top commercial builders and are nationally recognised for tackling the toughest construction challenges.

We are an industry leader in a diverse array of building categories. We are a licensed, categorised Contract A and experienced professional general contractor. We have experience in designing, building and constructing all types of facilities for all types of businesses.

Our Services and Systems • Unparalleled in-house, end-to-end workflow solutions—from preconstruction through to completion.

• Proven experience in all project delivery methods and contract types.

• Dedicated Virtual Design & Construction specialists.

• Cutting-edge communications and project management tools.

• Training program positions our staff at the leading edge of new means, methods and technologies.

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• Trained specialists and in-place systems track and help achieve sustainable goals.

• Strong relationships with subcontractors and design partners.

• A commitment to diversity, minority mentoring and collaboration.

• Established and continuously enhanced field procedures to reflect the company and industry best practices.

Our Future • Planned growth built upon a solid strategic foundation.

• Continue to foster an ownership culture where each partner is empowered to make a difference.

• Further enhance our culture built around training.

• Continuing to cultivate diversity in our people, purchases and projects.

LESOTHO CONSOLIDATED CIVIL CONTRACTORS

• A true commitment to finding and nurturing a new generation of builders.

• Creatively developing new value-added services for our clients and partners.

CONTACT DETAILS Postal Address: P.O. Box 11215, Maseru 0100, Lesotho Physical Address: LCCC Building, Pioneer Road, Maseru, Lesotho Tel: +266 28324344/5/6 Email: corporate@lccc.co.ls

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CHAPTER 16 Mining and Minerals

THE MINISTRY OF MINING

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The Ministry of Mining

Photo: www.wikimapia.org

The Ministry provides policy direction for the mining sector and also plays a regulatory role for the exploration and exploitation of minerals. The minerals that are currently known and exploited are diamonds, sandstones, dolerite and clay.

ABOUT THE MINISTRY The former Department of Mines and Geology was established in 1969 under the Ministry of Finance, Commerce and Industry and was later transferred to the Ministry of Natural Resources in 1976 until 2012. In June 2012, the Coalition Government changed the then Department of Mines and Geology to form the current Ministry of Mining.

The Ministry is divided into three main departments as follows: • Administration – provides policy direction and administrative structures for the Ministry to function properly.

• Department of Mines – monitors and regulates all mining and quarrying operations in the country.

• Department of Geological Survey – generates, manages and disseminates geo-scientific information on available mineral resources.

The Ministry provides policy direction for the mining sector and also plays a regulatory role for the exploration and

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exploitation of minerals. The minerals that are currently known and exploited are diamonds, sandstones, dolerite and clay.

Sixteen companies have been granted prospecting licences, six are the holders of mining leases, three are diamond mining companies, five are commercial and sandstone quarries, four are commercial aggregate quarries operating in three areas and two are commercial clay mining companies. There is currently a vast interest from investors to invest in the mining sector evidenced by the influx of applications for mineral rights that the Ministry receives.

MINISTERIAL OVERALL GOALS AND STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES Overall Goals • To generate and manage geo-scientific information, • To manage and promote mineral resources development, • To strengthen the management and administration of the Ministry.

Strategic Objectives • To increase availability of up-to-date mineral resources information, • To improve skills base, • To ensure that the Ministry’s structure is responsive to its strategic objectives, • To develop a strategic direction for mineral development, • To promote beneficiation of minerals and increase participation of Basotho in the mining sector, • To miximise revenue collection from mining activities.

CORPORATE DIRECTION The Ministry of Mining has established a Strategic Framework to ensure great success through development of its vision and mission statement, which both serve as guidelines geared towards achieving its overall goals. This means that in the absence of a shared and translated vision it is difficult for the Ministry to coordinate and attain its destination.

Photo: www.wikimapia.org

THE MINISTRY OF MINING

The following Vision and Mission statements describe the Ministry broadly, based on its mandate, functions and relationships with other stakeholders including those outside its primary target community: Mandate: The Ministry of Mining has been established to take custody of Lesotho’s mineral resources and create an environment in which the mineral resources contribute to the country’s socio-economic development.

Vision: By the year 2020, the Basotho nation shall have an improved standard of living through a well-developed mining sector.

Mission: The Ministry of Mining is committed to explore and disseminate information on mineral resources, as well as to regulate and manage prospecting and mining

activities, developing the mining sector in partnership with our stakeholders in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner. This is for the socio-economic benefit of the Basotho nation.

Core Values: The values are the pillars which the Ministry of Mining staff developed in order to guide their behaviour as individuals, groups and teams at all levels. The principles guide and qualify those values to set the standard and uniformity in such behaviour. They both instill the culture of commitment to the organisation’s service delivery to all the clients.

MINERAL WEALTH POTENTIAL OF THE MINING SECTOR Lesotho has mineral resources that are largely unexplored and unexploited. There are massive sandstone (dimension stone) deposits, abundant dolerite (aggregate material) intrusions and other industrial minerals.

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6000 diggers treating gravels. This led to the discovery of the 601 carat Lesotho Brown.

In 1968 Rio Tinto entered into a prospecting agreement with the Lesotho Government but in 1972 Rio Tinto decided to abandon the deposit on the grounds that the sampling results did not justify a feasibility study.

De Beers took advantage of the situation and negotiated an agreement with the Lesotho Government and in 1977 the Letšeng Mine was opened. In 1982 during the depression in the world diamond market, the mine was shut down presumably because the Government and De Beers could not agree on the best approach to ride the recession. De Beers suggested that the Government defer a large portion of tax being levied and put the mine under care and management until conditions improved; and the Government did not agree.

Letšeng lay fallow from 1982 until 1999 when interest in it was expressed by a company named Letšeng Diamonds (Pty) Ltd. Letšeng Diamonds was issued with a mining lease in 1999 as a joint venture operation between JCI Gold with 76% equity and the Lesotho Government with 24%. In 2006 JCI put up its shares for sale through a tender and Gem Diamonds purchased 70% interest in Letseng Diamonds with the Government of Lesotho holding 30% of the equity - and that is the situation to date.

Some prospects for base metals (nickel, copper, cobalt, lead, zinc, iron), rare earth minerals and hydrocarbons resources also exist, but there is need for detailed exploration to confirm the viability of their commercial exploitation.

A total of 405 kimberlite bodies have been identified, of which 39 are pipes, 23 blows and 343 dykes. Prospecting licences are being granted to various companies and applications are still open to interested investors.

PROFILE OF MINERALS Minerals that are known to exist are: • Diamonds, • Sandstone, • Dolerite, • Sand.

GEOLOGICAL EXPLORATION The government of Lesotho in collaboration with Japan Oil Gas and Metal Corporation (JOGMEC) is undertaking a remote sensing

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exploration in some identified target areas.

Geochemical mapping is ongoing in conjunction with the South African Council of Geoscience. The plan is to compile a geochemical map of Lesotho. The plan is to compile a geochemical map of Lesotho.

PAST AND CURRENT MINING OPERATIONS a) DIAMONDS Diamonds were discovered in Lesotho in the early 1950s. The first diamonds were found in the Kao valley in the district of Butha Buthe.

There are presently six diamond mines in the country. Brief accounts of how these mines were developed are provided below. i) Letšeng: A South African colonel Jack Scott secured exclusive rights to prospect throughout the country and in 1957 this led to the recovery of Letšeng pipe. Letšeng was later opened up to artisanal miners and at some stage there were

ii) Kao: Kao was prospected by Maluti Diamond Corporation until 1973. UNDP then financed mining equipment that was to be employed to run the mine under the auspices of the Department of Mines. This initiative did not happen although the equipment was purchased. A local entrepreneur obtained a mining lease over the area, took over the equipment, and ran his operation. The local entrepreneur sold his mining rights to a company named Serious View Trading (PTY) Ltd. Due to a number of breaches in terms of the mining agreement, Serious View’s lease was cancelled and under an agreement brokered by the Lesotho Government, Namakwa Diamonds (Pty) Ltd. took over the Serious Views Trading‘s equity.

Namaqwa Diamonds still operates the mine through Storm Mountain Diamonds - a company jointly owned by the Government of Lesotho and some local entrepreneurs.

Namakwa holds 62.5% equity, Lesotho Government 25% and some local shareholders 12.5%. iii) Liqhobong: Also discovered by Colonel Scott in the1950s a small artisanal mining operation commenced in 1978 operated by Liqhobong Cooperative under the auspices of the Department of Mines; and this continued for 18 years.

In 1996, Mine Gem, a Canadian Company acquired the property and conducted drilling and bulk sampling. In 2003 Mine Gem was taken over by Kopane Diamonds Developments which itself was acquired by Firestone in 2010.

The mine is currently operated by Liqhobong Mining Development Company, which is 75% owned by Firestone and 25% owned by the Government of Lesotho.

iv) Mothae: The Mothae Pipe was founded in 1961 and gravels below the pipe were worked by local diggers. It was prospected by Col. Scott and Lonrho and found to be uneconomic. Lucara Diamonds, a member of the Lundin Group, was granted a mining lease on the property.

The mine is operated by Mothae Diamonds, which is owned 75% by Lucara and 25% by the Government of Lesotho. Geophysical surveys were undertaken in 2006, bulk sampling programme in 2008 and a trial mining programme commenced in 2010 and has been completed. The mine remains on care and maintenance while it reviews a number of options for development.

is ongoing and according to Paragon the results are encouraging.

v) Lemphane: Lemphane is one of the deposits that were worked extensively by artisanal miners who were transferred to Lemphane from Kao when Maluti Diamond Corporation was granted a prospecting lease there.

The artisanal miners worked under the Lemphane Diggers cooperative.

Paragon Diamonds secured prospecting rights at Lemphane during 2011 and embarked on a rapid exploration programme. The bulk-sampling programme

i) Walling and other Building Materials: The primary walling materials used in the construction of residential houses, government buildings, commercial buildings etc. are sandstone blocks, clay bricks, and concrete blocks.

vi) Kolo: Kolo is one of the few economic kimberlite deposits located in the lowlands and was known to local people for many years before Col. Scott prospected it in 1961.There were intermittent failed attempts to work the deposit over the years on a small scale up to 2004.

The mining lease for Kolo Mine has been issued to Reskol Diamonds Mining (PTY), which has entered into a mining agreement with the Government of Lesotho. b) INDUSTRIAL MINERALS

ii) Sandstone: Traditional stonemasons have been cutting and shaping sandstone for building in Lesotho for many years. The first mechanised sandstone quarry was opened

at Lancers Gap in 1981.This operation was abandoned and the Lesotho Sandstone Company (LESACO) took over the market.

LESACO’S operations were terminated by the Maseru municipal authorities as their quarry was in the middle of town.

The early 90s saw an influx of Chinese businessmen opening up sandstone quarrying operations at Lekokoaneng.

Today Lekokoaneng is a hive of sandstone mining activity and local entrepreneurs are also active in the area.

Prior to extensive mechanisation of the sandstone industry, supply of sandstone blocks, hand crafted by masons, was insufficient to meet market demand, and consequently the price was extremely high at 2 to 3 times the price of local face brick per square metre of wall. With mechanised mass production the cost of building with sandstone has become almost 40% less than the cost of building with face brick.

Lesotho Stone is the largest enterprise at Lekokoaneng with its production doubling all those operations combined. iii) Clay: Clay deposits along dongas have always been worked for making bricks. In 1975

countrywide investigations were carried out by the United Nations Exploration for Minerals project in close association with a UNIDO project “Development of Heavy Clay Industry.” These led to specific localities for detailed testing. The main deposits were at Tsikoane (Leribe), Thetsane (Maseru), Tenane (Morija), Ramahlape, Raseatle and Phoqoane (Mafeteng), Mohale`s Hoek, and Souru (Qachas Nek). These deposits altogether represented 7.3 million tonnes.

In 1980, Loti Brick became the Lesotho’s first modern brick factory owned by the LNDC at the Thetsane Industrial Area on the outskirts of Maseru. It started off as a rudimentary brick yard, the only mechanised section being the wet manufacturing section while the drying was in the open air and the firing of the product was in hand-built kilns. Loti Brick is now a fully-fledged brick factory with modern drying and firing facilities.

Loti Brick’s supply of clay used to be on the premises around which the plant was constructed and the first factory built at the Thetsane industrial, but with encroachment of other industrial activities, the factory lost its clay supply and it is now sourcing its clay at Ha Tikoe where a 20-year supply of clay has been identified some 5km from the factory. The new quarry’s distance from the factory has introduced additional costs to the production processes.

In 2007 some Chinese businessmen established Majara Bricks at Marabeng Ha Majara some 15km north of Maseru.

The factory is situated on the clay deposit and consequently there are no resource transportation costs. iv) Aggregate and Sand: Aggregate material for large construction projects such as the Lesotho Highlands Water Project has always been imported from RSA until recently when commercial quarries were established. There are now four operating commercial aggregate quarries:

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• Moradi (PTY) Ltd operating at Morija; • Moradi (PTY) Ltd operating at Peka; • Southern Sky at Ha Ntsi Nazaretha; • Tikoe River Stone at Likotsi.

Sand extraction is carried out along all rivers and stream beds throughout the country.

OPPORTUNITY/FUTURE PROSPECTS Identified investment opportunities include: • Unexplored kimberlite pipes and dykes, • Massive sandstone (dimension stone) deposits, • Untapped industrial minerals, in particular clay, • Abundant dolerite (aggregate material) deposits, • Increasing number of mines, • Diversifying into downstream activities, beneficiation, • Provision of services and goods to the mining industry.

• Base metals (nickel, copper, cobalt, lead, zinc, iron), • Rare earth minerals, • and hydrocarbons resources.

Guidelines for mineral rights applications are available in the Ministry of Mining, Lesotho.

It takes less than three months to get a mineral concession. Geological maps at different scales are also available.

MINING SECTOR CONTRIBUTION TO THE NATIONAL GDP Over the years since the enactment of the Mines and Minerals Act of 2005, Lesotho has experienced tremendous growth in the contribution of mining to the Gross Domestic Product from 0.1 per cent in 2003 to about 15.2 per cent in 2011. Lesotho is classified as a lower-middle income country, with a population of approximately 2.074 million people and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of US$2.335-billion (2013). However, this landlocked country is characterised by poverty, unemployment, deprivation and extreme vulnerability. Currently the growth accelerators which are pushing Lesotho’s

growth are investments in mining and water projects; all of which are capital intensive in nature and are delinked form the other sectors to generate inclusive growth.

MINING TENEMENTS UNDER MINES AND MINERAL ACT OF 2005 Prospecting licences are issued for an initial period of two years and may be extended for an additional year. License tenure may be further extended at the discretion of the Minister where a discovery has been made but evaluation work not completed.

Award of mining lease follows successful conclusion of good faith negotiation between the Government and the applicant covering all technical, financial and commercial aspects of the project.

A mining lease is valid for 10 years and may be renewed for a further 10 years subsequently. The Mining Board is streamlining the issuing of mineral rights to mining and exploration companies.

DEVELOPMENT OF THE MINERAL AND MINING POLICY The Ministry of Mining is currently in the middle of the process of developing the Minerals and Mining policy aimed to be complete by the end of the year 2014.

After the establishment of a fully-fledged Ministry of Mining in 2012, the Ministry was entrusted to spearhead a number of initiatives designed to enable the sector to play its role in the economy.

Developing a Minerals and Mining Policy that provides a strategic direction and strategies for managing the exploitation of the country’s finite mineral resources was an essential pre-requisite. It has, therefore, been accorded the highest priority it deserves.

The Minerals and Mining Policy is not only a product of Government but it has been developed following in-depth and inclusive consultation and participation of representatives of mining companies and civil society organisations.

The Policy is harmonised with the provisions of the National Strategic Development Plan (NSDP) and the Vision 2020, which provide measures and initiatives for economic growth and the social upliftment of the living standards of all the Basotho people. The Policy also harmonises with the Africa Mining Vision which is a continental roadmap for using the exploitation of mineral resources for socio-economic development.

The Minerals and Mining Policy that Government has developed with support from UNDP and UNECA, carefully balances the need to create conditions that attract high flows of mining investment with the requirement to have outcomes generated from mining investments - producing sustainable social and economic progress for all the people of Lesotho.

In addition the Policy defines the roles of key players. The role of Government is two-fold: a) to establish the rules, standards and guidelines on best

practices in the mining and minerals sector; b) to monitor, supervise and regulate compliance. Holders of mining leases and permits have the primary role of demonstrating compliance with their licence obligations. Civil society and other third parties play an important ‘watch dog role’ in the interests of the public at large. Government sees that the correct interpretation of these roles and responsibilities will greatly assist in providing transparency and accountability in mineral sector governance.

Commissioner of Mines Tel: +266 22322841 Fax: +266 22314420 Email: nralikariki@gmail.com Public Relations Officer Tel: +266 22311 447 Fax: +266 22314420 Email: rorisang.mahlo@gmail.com

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Diamonds of Lesotho A legacy of light in the land.

The Lesotho Promise

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The towering mountains of Lesotho have produced more than draw dropping views and the purist water. Much of the country’s wealth lies hidden deep beneath her rocky floor.

The Letseng Mine in Lesotho is renowned for recovering some of the world’s most valuable diamonds and as a kimberlite mine, obtains the highest price per carat in the world.

Letseng consistently produces diamonds of exceptional colour and size. The mine has thus far produced five of the largest rough white gem diamonds on record.

The Lesotho Brown Lesotho’s diamond industry was born after 1967, when the 601-carat Lesotho Brown diamond was discovered by Ernestine Ramaboa - who allegedly walked for four days and nights to deliver it safely to a reputable diamond buyer. In 1968, its cleaving was broadcast live on American television. After it was polished a year later, 18 gemstones were produced. The largest was the Lesotho I – a 71,73 carat flawless emerald-cut diamond with a pale pink hue.

The Star of Lesotho Recovered at Letseng in October 2004, The Star of Lesotho was a spectacular white diamond of 123 carats. It was cut into a heart-shaped diamond of 53.11 carats and sold by Graff Jewellers.

The Lesotho Promise In August 2006, the 603-carat Lesotho Promise diamond was recovered at Letseng. An exceptional colour, it is reported to be the largest find of the century and the 15th largest ever. The stone

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is rated ‘D’, which is the highest rating for colour.

It was sold in auction on 9 October 2006 in Antwerp, Belgium for US$12,4-million.

Bought by the South African Diamond Corporation (SAFDICO), it was expected to fetch over US$20-million after cutting.

In July 2007, 26 finished gems were unveiled – the largest being a 75-carat pear-shaped diamond. Others included six pear shapes, four emerald cuts, 13 round brilliants and one heart shaped diamond – totalling 224 carats.

The Letseng Legacy At 493 carats, The Letseng Legacy is ranked as the 16th largest rough white diamond ever recovered. Its name reflects the growing legacy of the Letseng mine as a producer of significant diamonds.

The Light of Letseng The Leseli La Letseng, meaning Light of Letseng, is a 478-carat ‘D’ Colour white diamond recovered at the mine in September 2008. With extraordinary colour and clarity, it is currently ranked as the 17th largest rough white diamond ever recovered and Letseng’s third significant find in three years. The Light of Letseng may be the largest diamond of its kind, in history.

The Letseng Star At 550 carats, The Letseng Star was recovered in August 2011 and named at

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a gala evening held in Maseru. The name signifies the growing number of “stars” in Letseng’s ever-increasing constellation of large diamonds. It is currently ranked as the 14th largest white rough diamond on record and the second largest white diamond recovered at Letseng.

On 30 April 2013 another rare gem was found at Letseng. At 164 carats and firstclass quality, it was sold rough for £6-million.

It was given exceptional ‘D’ colour status, type 11a – which is a rough diamond with potential to yield flawless polished gems. www.gemdiamonds.com

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Letšeng Diamonds (Pty) Ltd Letšeng Diamonds is a mining company that owns and operates Letšeng Diamond Mine. The mine is located in the north-eastern district of Mokhotlong, some four hours driving time or 242km from Maseru. It is sitting at over 3200m above sea-level. Temperatures in the area range from -24ºc to 30ºc.

Lesotho Promise 603ct

Letšeng Star 550ct

Letšeng Legacy 493ct

Leseli la Letšeng 478ct

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The company exists to optimise stakeholder value and to grow as a safe and sustainable producer and marketer of exceptional diamonds. The shareholders, management and staff aspire to see Letšeng Diamonds as globally respected for the quality diamond processes, products, social responsibility and shareholder value.

Letšeng mine is world renowned for having the highest dollar per carat of any kimberlite mine. It has produced four of the world’s largest white diamonds. These are the 603ct Letšeng Promise recovered in 2006, the 493ct Letšeng Legacy recovered in 2007, the 478ct Light of Letšeng and the 550ct Letšeng Star.

The history of Letšeng mine is an interesting one. British Geologist, Peter Nixon, discovered the deposit as a weathered outcrop in 1957. From 1958 to 1968, hundreds of artisanal miners worked the area. During this time, approximately 1.5 metric tonnes of alluvial gravel was treated.

In 1968, the then Rio Tinto–Zinc Corporation (RTZ) undertook surface and underground sampling, but the prospect was abandoned in 1972, citing lack of profit. De Beers then acquired the mine in 1973 and full operations commenced in 1977 until the mine was closed down in 1982.

In 1995, Letšeng Diamonds (Pty) Ltd was incorporated in Lesotho. JCI-Matodzi was the majority shareholder with 76% while the Government of Lesotho held 24%. The mining lease was granted in 1999.

Commercial production commenced in March 2004, with a M150-million capital injected into the project. The mine then had a single treatment plant that processed 2,3 million tonnes of ore and produced circa 50,000 carats per annum. This generated approximately M566-million in revenue.

The London Stock Exchange-listed Gem Diamonds Limited took over the mine through purchase of shares from JCIMatodzi at over M900-million in October 2006. Shareholding then changed to 70% for Gem Diamonds and 30% for Government of Lesotho.

The company’s highest decision-making body is the Board of Directors. It is made up of seven directors dominated by Gem Diamonds and three directors dominated by the Government of Lesotho for a period of three years. The company is also guided by the 1999 Mining Lease Agreement, the 2006 Shareholders Agreement and relevant legislation.

The mine has two kimberlite pipes that contain diamond resources, both indicated and inferred, totalling more than 210 million tonnes, at an average grade of 1.90 carats per hundred tonnes. The two pipes, termed Main Pipe and Satellite Pipe, were originally 17 hectares and 6.5 hectares in surface area respectively, before mining. The pipes are mined using conventional open-pit mining techniques on a split shell design. The split shell concept was adopted to optimise waste stripping and enhance cash-flow.

Major mining activities except blasting are outsourced to contracting companies.

Processing at Letšeng Diamond Mine involves a number of stages. The first stage is the primary and secondary jaw crushing employed to unlock the diamonds. The second stage is the rotary scrubbing using water to clean the ore. The third stage involves secondary cone crushing and re-crushing. The fourth stage is the coarse and fine dense medium separation. Fifth stage is where dense medium concentrates go through flow sort X-Ray machines to infrared dryers. The sixth stage is where dried concentrates get hand-sorted in sort house and the diamonds are weighed and packaged for export.

In 2015, a new Coarse Final Recovery Plant was completed. This state-of-the-art facility is intended to improve diamond recovery, especially of the type II diamonds. The facility uses the cutting-edge X-ray technology and provides state-of-the-art diamond security around Letšeng’s high-value revenue stream.

It further incorporates the modern X-ray sorting technology and establishes an impervious shell within which all coarse final recovery activities will take place.

The company currently employs 1300 people directly and indirectly, of which 96% are Basotho and 21 % are women. In addition, all the unskilled labour is sourced in the surrounding communities. At Letšeng Diamonds, people remain a vital resource to the company’s value chain. This is achieved

through the talent management process, which includes training and development, performance management, succession planning and retention.

Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) is an integral part of Letseng’s business.

The company is annually audited using international auditing standards. In 2014, the mine became a five-star IRCA rated operation, the status it continues to maintain in 2015. Only a handful of opencast mines achieve the five-star ranking globally.

Letšeng further subscribes to the Global Reporting Initiative through the parent company, Gem Diamonds. Other important HSE initiatives include the Behaviour Based Care programme, use of Harrington Quality Management System (HQMS), weekly Visible Felt Leadership visits, brother’s keeper and zero harm principles.

As a responsible corporate citizen, Letšeng Diamonds implements a comprehensive corporate social responsibility and investment programme. The programme is informed by Gem Diamonds CSI guidelines and the company’s own CSI policy. The Board of Directors’ governed programme employs a three-pronged approach. This includes ensuring that all projects supported are sustainable, and are informed by communities’ needs.

Letseng’s Diamonds contribution to the country’s economy since 2007 in taxes, royalties, local purchasing and dividends is over M3-billion. In 2014 alone, the

contribution was a little over 8% of the total Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The company conducts its business in an honest and ethical manner. It does not engage in or condone corrupt practices, acts of bribery, fraud, defalcation, misappropriation and other fiscal wrongdoings. It applies a zero tolerance approach to these acts and requires all its employees and contractors are contractually obliged to act honestly and with integrity at all times. All these are backed by the company’s strong policy framework on anti-bribery and corruption, fraud, code of conduct and whistleblowing.

Letšeng Diamonds Tel: +266 2222 1800 Fax: +266 2231 0546 www.letsengdiamonds.co.ls

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Storm Mountain Diamonds (SMD) Storm Mountain Diamonds is a subsidiary of Namakwa Diamonds. Namakwa holds a 75% equity interest, with the Government of Lesotho holding 25%.

Kao Mine The Kao kimberlite pipe is the largest diamondbearing pipe in Lesotho and the fourth largest in Southern Africa. Kao consists of two kimberlite pipes - the main pipe is 19.8ha and the small 3.2ha satellite pipe is located 350m north-west of the main pipe.

The Kao Kimberlite Mine is located in the Northeast of the Kingdom of Lesotho within the Butha-Buthe District. Situated in the Maluti Mountain Range of Lesotho, the elevation differs significantly from 2,500 to 2,700 metres above sea level across the mine site.

The nearest towns are Ha Lejone, a distance of 25km by road to the Southwest, and Mokhotlong, 60km to the Southeast. The capital, Maseru, is situated approximately 110km to the West-southwest of Kao Mine. A good quality road leads to the mine, of which 33km is maintained by SMD, to the benefit of not only Kao, but also the surrounding communities and even other mines in the area.

Processing of kimberlite ore commenced in November 2011, treating up to 300,000 tonnes per month. A current plant expansion project, due for completion in May 2016, will increase production to 400,000 tonnes per month. Due to the large size of the kimberlite pipe, mining flexibility in the open pit is an advantage, with a life-of-mine stripping ratio of less than one tonne of waste per tonne of ore.

Kao’s output is characterised by a high percentage of gem-quality stones and a frequent occurrence of fancy stones, which makes it popular in the rough diamond market.

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Kao Diamonds are well known in the trade for their consistency of quality through the size ranges. The mine has yielded the largest gem pink diamond recovered in Lesotho, the 36.02 ct Pink Storm, which was sold for US$425,000/ carat. Other coloured fancy diamonds include a blue, vivid yellows, light fancy yellows, and small purple stones. The Top Ten Diamonds have generated $38-million at an average price of US$75,000/ct.

Strategy Optimisation of the orebody is the main strategic focus. It is achieved through cost optimisation, quality diamond processes, a competent and motivated workforce, and safe and healthy practises. Even the lowest grade parts of the orebody can therefore be extracted profitably, enabling a viable open pit operation for more than twenty years.

Sustainability SMD strives to create a positive legacy, where the lives of people associated with the mine are improved, and the environment is protected, while contributing significantly to the strategic development plans of the Government of Lesotho financially, through job creation, and through various social upliftment programs.

Localisation of employment and services is an important sustainability focus, which is achieved through proper planning and dedicated execution of the development, attraction and retention of people and local service providers.

Various social upliftment programs are in place around the mine, including the provision of roads to surrounding villages like HaShishila village and Ha-Lephatsoane village, establishing a Police Post to service the area, provision of medical assistance through its emergency rescue teams and ambulance, provision of clean drinking water to surrounding villages, and providing basalt rock to villagers for house construction. A poultry egg farm is in the process of being constructed, which will benefit the Kao community and Kao kitchen.

SMD also supports children in the area through various projects e.g. transportation to sporting events, building classrooms and other school facilities, financial support to preschool teachers and donations like bicycles and mattresses. Continuous Medical support is provided to children under the age of five, including the provision of vaccinations and nutritional supplements, through the SMD clinic.

For more information, we can be contacted on the following address: Storm Mountain Diamonds (Pty) Ltd 15UN Road, Sentinel Park P.O Box 11861 Southview House Maseru 100 Tel: +266 22325273/525 55555 Fax: +266 22325265 www.namakwadiamonds.com

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CHAPTER 17 Breweries

Maluti Mountain Brewery Maluti Mountain Brewery (MMB) remains the only alcohol manufacturing company in Lesotho since its establishment in 1980. Initially registered as the Lesotho Brewing Company, MMB adopted its current name on 17th February 2011.

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MMB is an affiliate Company of the SABMiller Group, the world’s second largest brewer by volume. Emerging from its roots in Africa, the SABMiller group has built leading positions in the regions in which it operates, both in emerging and developed countries. The group’s extensive footprint across Africa positions MMB to benefit from the envisaged growth of the African economy, both in infrastructure development and the burgeoning middle class.

MMB brews beer brands of SABMiller under license, and is a franchised bottler of Coca-Cola Company beverages to cater for those who are underage and those who choose not to drink alcohol. The Company prides itself with bringing refreshment and sociability with its quality beer products to Basotho adults. MMB’s only local beer brand, Maluti Premium Lager, won the Inaugural IBD African Beer Awards in 2013 as the best lager with alcohol content under 5%.

MMB’S IMPERATIVES We understand that our profitability depends on healthy communities, growing economies and the responsible use of scarce natural resources. We integrate these issues into our business through our five shared imperatives: 1. A Thriving World - where incomes and quality of lives are growing.

2. A Sociable World - where our beers are developed, marketed, sold, and consumed with high regard for individual and community wellbeing.

3. A Resilient World - where our business, local communities and ecosystems share uninterrupted access to safe, clean water.

4. A Clean World - where nothing goes to waste and emissions are dramatically lower.

5. A Productive World - where land is used responsibly, food supply is secure, biodiversity is protected and brewing crops can be accessed at reasonable prices.

MMB ACCELERATES GROWTH AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT THROUGH OUR VALUE CHAINS For MMB and SABMiller, sustainable development is integral to the success of the local operations and of the global business, helping to create jobs and wealth in the communities where they operate.

One of MMB’s goals is to ensure that it does business in a way that improves livelihoods and builds communities. To date, MMB is among the big contributors to the Government’s revenue through taxes and payment of dividends to its shareholders, of which 61% are owned by the Government. MMB’s staff complement is made up of 364 full-time employees and

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28 part-time employees. To date, MMB has established and developed seven distributors of its products. It also creates over 3,600 jobs in the retail value chain thereby supporting an estimated 50,000 Basotho livelihoods.

MMB CARES ABOUT ITS EMPLOYEES The Company runs an employee health and wellness program that addresses full continuum of emotional and physical issues of employees to improve corporate wellness.

The Program provides a supportive system for employees and their families that are affected by HIV and AIDS. In the past year MMB spent M1.1-million on the employee and spouse HIV wellness program to ensure that members have access to the required treatment and care. As another benefit to staff, in a small but compassionate way, the Company offers 15 scholarships to the children of the employees every year.

MMB BRINGS REFRESHMENT AND SOCIABILITY, IMPROVES LIVELIHOODS AND HELPS BUILD COMMUNITIES YOUTH ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT – KICKSTART PROGRAM While the number of graduates from all the tertiary institutions in Lesotho increases each year, the country faces surmounting challenges of youth unemployment, estimated at 38% by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in 2010. MMB,

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through its flagship project, KickStart, is offering a helping hand to young unemployed Basotho men and women between the ages of 18 and 35. The KickStart Project focuses on developing and supporting sustainable youth-owned businesses, thereby promoting the much needed spirit of entrepreneurship for the country’s economic development.

During the financial year 2013/2014, through the Kick Start Project, MMB expended a total of approximately M0.8-million to support young people, between the ages of 18 and 35, to set up new businesses and/or improve them. Out of the 900 grant applications received, MMB chose the best 20 applicants for training on business development skills.

The trainees were then given an opportunity to write business plans for the KickStart funding. The best six proposals were selected by independent judges and were awarded grants to set up and/or improve their businesses. Of the six, five were startups and one was an existing business in the fields of textile designing, vegetable production, emergency medical services, business magazine, recording studio and information communication technology.

RETAILER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM The Company also recently piloted a Retailer Development Program, which focuses on equipping small and medium liquor retailers with basic business

management skills. In the past financial year, 41 liquor outlets owners from around the Maseru district were trained on business management skills. The Program is currently being rolled-out to other districts of Lesotho.

FIGHT AGAINST HIV & AIDS – CONDOM DISTRIBUTION Maluti Mountain Brewery (MMB) partners with Population Services International (PSI) and the Lesotho Liquor and Restaurants Association (LLROA) to distribute condoms to Basotho. MMB’s fleet is used to distribute condoms donated by PSI, to restaurants and liquor outlets in all the districts, including those based in the remote and rural areas who usually have limited access.

SUPPORT TO LOCAL SPORTING ACTIVITIES MMB supports youth sporting activities through the Copa Coca-Cola Sponsorship.

Since 2012, the Company spent over M700, 000.00 on High School Soccer Tournaments.

It also provides refreshments for the National Team (Likuena) and VIP guests for all the international soccer matches hosted by Lesotho.

MMB ENDEAVOURS TO MAKE BEER THE NATURAL CHOICE FOR THE MODERATE AND RESPONSIBLE DRINKER Thousands of Basotho enjoy MMB beers every day. While the vast majority of them drink responsibly, there is a minority who

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drink excessively, putting themselves and the people around them at risk of harm. MMB’s ambition is to make beer the natural choice for the moderate and responsible drinker. MMB implements many campaigns with the aim of encouraging its beer consumers to enjoy moderately and responsibly.

MALUTI PREMIUM LAGER Maluti Premium Lager, our flagship beer brand, was re-launched in its present profile in 2002, as a celebratory brand to commemorate the occasion of Maluti Mountain Brewery’s 20th Anniversary.

What was envisaged to be a limited edition brew struck a chord with Basotho beer consumers, who were seeking a brand whose name captured the essence of their pride as being Basotho, as well as a brew that was crisp, refreshing and smooth; defining new frontiers in their beer drinking experience.

And so Maluti Premium Lager was born, crafted with natural ingredients and crisp, pure water from the Maluti mountains!

This brand has been a trailblazer since its re-launch, consistently registering sizeable volume growth every year to now where it commands 20% share of Maluti Mountain Brewery’s beer portfolio. The brand has also seen several packaging and label renovations, and the current distinct green bottle and iconography represent the signature identity for this cherished beer

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Best of Lesotho

brand of the Basotho.

Maluti Premium Lager’s pedigree has been acknowledged beyond our borders.

In 2011, the brand won the prestigious SABMiller Mercatus Award for marketing excellence. In March 2013, at the inaugural African Beer Awards held in Accra, Ghana, Maluti Premium Lager was voted Best Lager below 5% alcohol by volume, beating 52 lagers from across Africa, and cementing the brand’s status as a beer of distinction.

In November 2014, the internationally acclaimed Lesotho chef, Ska Moteane launched a cookbook incorporating recipes which include Maluti Premium Lager as an ingredient, further attesting to the brand’s appeal.

To us at Maluti Mountain Brewery, Maluti Premium Lager truly captures and represents the Best of Lesotho. We look back with pride at how our flagship brand has earned its stripes in the local beer repertoire, and we face the future with excitement in anticipation of greater achievements and accolades for Maluti Premium Lager.

Our Beer. Our Pride MMB’S FACTS SHAREHOLDERS • Lesotho National Development Corporation 51.00% • Privatisation Unit: Ministry of Finance 5.25%

• Lesotho Unit Trust 4.75% • SABMiller 39.00% LOCALLY PRODUCED BEER BRANDS • Maluti Premium Lager • Castle Lager • Castle Milk Stout • Hansa Pilsner • Carling Black Label IMPORTED BEER BRANDS • Castle Lite • Miller Genuine Draught • Flying Fish • Redds • Peroni Nastro Azuro MMB also has a distributor agreement with various alcohol companies to distribute wines, spirits and alcoholic fruit beverages, through its subsidiary Lesotho Liquor Distributors (LLD), to retail to trade outlets in Lesotho.

SOFT DRINK BRANDS • Coca-Cola • Fanta varieties • Sprite • Krest Lemonade • Stoney • Lemon Twist • Minute Maid • Poweraid

• Schweppes varieties • Sparletta varieties • Power Play Energy Drink • Bonaqua Still Water ACCOLADES • NOSA 3 Platinum Stars rating in March 2015; • Maluti Premium Lager awarded the prestigious International Mercatus Award for marketing excellence for 2011/12; • Best Information Technology Department for SABMiller Africa for five consecutive years; • Two-time winner of “Best Castle Lager” in Africa; • A number of SABMiller Africa Managing Director and Gold sales awards; • ISO 22000 Accreditation

CONTACT DETAILS Physical Address: Site 44 Lioli Road, Industrial Area, Maseru Postal Address: P.O. Box 764, Maseru 100, Lesotho Tel: (+266) 22 311 111 Email: info@ls.sabmiller.com Follow our Maluti Premium Lager on Facebook

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Best of Lesotho

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1

Participators Index Afriski 112 Alliance Insurance Co. Ltd

236

Avani Lesotho Hotel & Casino

122

Avani Maseru

124

Blue Mountain Inn

126

Essentials Health and Beauty Spa

164

GlobalVillage.world

1, 285, 286

Hotel Mount Maluti

130

Interchange Lesotho

234

Lesotho Communications Authority

244

Lesotho Consolidated Civil Contractors

258

Lesotho National Development Corporation (LNDC) Lesotho Road Fund Lesotho Tourism Development Corporation

IFC, 194, OBC 232 96

Letšeng Diamonds

272

Letshego Financial Services Lesotho (LFSL)

228

Limkokwing University Of Creative Technology

174

Maliba Lodge Lesotho

118

Maluti Mountain Brewery (MMB)

276

Matekane Group of Companies (MGC)

86, 188

Ministry of Health

166

Ministry of Home Affairs

116

Ministry of Mining

260

Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Culture

IFC, 94, IBC

Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI)

218

Morija Arts & Cultural Festival

148

Morija Museum & Archives

142

Mountain View Hotel

128

National University of Lesotho

180

Neuroscience in Society Research Hub

172

Nthane Brothers Holdings

182

NYané and Mpho Lebojoa

162

Proudly African

1, 284

Proudly African Lesotho

1, 4

Roads Directorate

254

Sentebale 70 Seshoeshoe.com 160 Standard Lesotho Bank

224

Storm Mountain Diamonds (SMD)

274

Thaba-Bosiu Risk Solutions

242

Thabèlò Khoboko

172

Thabo Makhetha

156

The Forgotten Kingdom

152

Vodacom Lesotho

248