2x1rm
Short History of Lesotho
The Kingdom of Lesotho, formerly Basutoland, was founded by Moshoeshoe I during the time of upheaval and nation-building known as the Lifaqane, which occurred during the early part of the 1800s in the Southern African region. Moshoeshoe brought together different clans and peoples, and formed alliances with other great chiefs to form the Basotho nation. The country fell under the protection of England (Now Great Britain) in 1868, from which it gained Independence on 04 October, 1966. Lesotho remains the only fully-fledged constitutional monarchy of the only three remaining on the African continent, the others being Morroco and eSwatini.
With a population of just above 2,000,000 people and covering an area of about 30,355 square kilometres, Lesotho is a mountainous country with its lowest elevation at 1400 metres above sea level and the highest peak, Thabana-Ntlenyana, at 3482 metres above sea level.
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
With the total area covering 30,355 square kilometers, Lesotho lies in the Southern tip of the African Continent within GPS coordinates 29◦30′S 28◦30′E. It is completely surrounded by its only neighbour, South Africa, making it one of the only three countries of the world that are enclaves, the others being San Marino and the Vatican in Italy.
Two-thirds of Lesotho’s terrain is mountainous. he majestic mountains of Lesotho have given credence to the popularity of Lesotho as the ‘Kingdom in the sky’ or the ‘Switzerland of Africa’. The topography of the country is divided into four distinct geographical regions with ascending latitude. The lowlands are in the South-western parts of the country along the Caledon River at the elevation between 1,400 and 1,800 meters above sea level. The foothills are in central Lesotho forming the border between lowlands and highlands, predominantly in the East with altitudes between 1,800 and 2,200 meters above sea level. There is also the Senqu river valley extending from Mohale’sHoek and Quthing in the South to Mokhotlong in the North East with elevation ranging from 1,400m to 1,800m. The Eastern and South Eastern parts of the country are mainly the highlands forming the Drakensberg escarpment with altitudes ranging from 1,400 to 3,482 above sea level. The highlands of Lesotho are home to Thabana Ntlenyana. Sitting at 3,482m, it is the highest mountain in Southern Africa. Vast wetlands in the Highlands of Lesotho are sources to many rivers in the region, including Senqu/Orange river, which is one of the longest rivers in Africa at the length of 2,200 kilometers. Senqu forms many boundaries in the region and empties into the Atlantic Ocean in Namibia.
The lowest elevation of Lesotho is at the confluence of Senqu and Makhaleng River at 1,400 meters, making Lesotho to be the country with the highest lowest point in the world. Lesotho is also the only country in the world whose entire altitude is above 1,000 meters above sea level and indeed the country that is closest to heaven.
Because of its altitude, temperatures in Lesotho are mainly cool and most of the rain falls in summer. Temperatures in summer range from mid 20s to early 30s and sub zero temperatures can be experienced in winter with snow in the highland areas of the Drakensberg. In fact, Lesotho is the coldest country on the African continent.
Largely because of its altitude, Lesotho has a temperate climate with hot summers and cold winters. The lowlands often reach 30 °C (86 °F) in the summer, whilst winter temperatures can go down to −7 °C (19.4 °F) and the highlands to −20 °C (−4.0 °F) at times.
Annual precipitation varies from around 600 millimetres (23.6 in) in the lowland valleys to around 1,200 millimetres (47.2 in) in areas of the northern and eastern escarpment. Most of the rain falls in summer, between the months of October and April.Winters—between May and September are usually very dry. Snowfall is however common in winter and the higher peaks can experience occasional snowfall year-round.The annual variance in rainfall is very erratic, leading to periodic droughts in the dry season (May to September) and flooding, which can be severe in the rainy season (October–April).
POLITICAL HISTORY OF LESOTHO
Pre Colonial History
The rise of Basotho as a nation can be traced back to the 19th century during the Lifaqane or Mfecane wars triggered by rise of the Zulu empire under King Shaka. The nation was built by its founding father,Moshoeshoe I. Born in 1786 at Menkhoaneng, Moshoeshoe, (born Lepoqo) was the eldest son of Mokhachane, a minor chief of the Mokoteli branch of the Bakuena clan. Right from his early age, he was endowed with leadership qualities and also had ambition to become a great chief. During his reign, it is believed that his tactful diplomacy and belief in the co-existence with other clans made him the best statesman of his time.
In 1824, he led his people on the migration from Menkhoaneng to ThabaBosiu which became a mountain fortress that defended his nation from the Lifaqane wars. At ThabaBosiu, Moshoeshoe formed the Basotho nation with splinter groups and remnants of other tribes who sought refuge with his people. Chief among these included the Baphuthi of Moorosi, Makhoakhoa of Matela, the Batlokoa of Sekonyela and Bataung of Moletsane. These clans and other Nguni speaking tribes form the Basotho Nation that we know today.
The arrival of white settlers in the Cape, mainly the British and the Boers and their occupation of the African hinterland gave rise to many wars between these settlers and other indigenous people including Basotho. In 1833, King Moshoeshoe I welcomed the missionaries led by Eugene Casalis, who brought Christianity to his people and also served as advisors and mediators during his reign. Lesotho was eventually proclaimed a British protectorate on 15th April, 1868 at the request of King Moshoeshoe I to Queen Elizabeth. The British named the territory Basutoland. King Moshoeshoe I died on 11th March,1870 and was succeeded by his eldest son, Paramount Chief Letsie I.He left an indelible legacy as a warrior and a great statesman who built the Basotho nation we know today.
After the Gun War in 1880 between the Cape Colonial Government and Basotho chiefs who defied the Cape Colony’s disarmament policies, Basutoland was ruled directly from London through a Resident Commissioner posted in Maseru.
Colonial History
From the 1860s, Basutoland became one of the industrious farming communities in Southern Africa providing food supplies to the mining town of Kimberly and Johannesburg. Basutoland was so prosperous that it was able to present 24 Spitfire fighter aircrafts to Britain during the World War II in 1939 during the reign of Chief Seeiso Griffith. The territory also became a hub for migrant labour to the mines, which still holds a significant share of the national economy even today. However, the colonial policies were not conducive for economic growth. Basotho did not like these policies and attempts to campaign for legislative policies started as early as 1907 with the Basutoland Progressive Association. In the years that followed, Basotho became more politicized, leading to the proclamation of Independence on 4th October 1966.
THE HEAD OF STATE – KING LETSIE III
His Majesty King Letsie III is the Head of State of the Kingdom of Lesotho. He was born Prince David MohatoBerengSeeiso on 17 July 1963. As the first son of King Moshoeshoe II and Queen ’MamohatoBerengSeeiso, he ascended to the throne in 1996 after the untimely death of his father in a road accident.
From 1968-1972, Prince Mohato undertook the first part of his primary education at Iketsetseng Private School, Maseru, where he completed Standard Five. The following year, he went abroad to study at Gilling Castle in the United Kingdom, a Roman Catholic school run by the order of St. Benedictine in Yorkshire, where he finished his primary education in 1976. Proceeding in 1977 to his father’s alma mater, Ampleforth College, the young prince completed his secondary and high school education in 1980.
From 1980 to 1984 Prince Mohato pursued his university education at the National University of Lesotho where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Law.
Between 1984 and 1986, Prince Mohato completed a Diploma in English Legal Studies at the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom. He later spent a year at the University of Cambridge where he read Development Studies, completing in 1989. At the same time, he enrolled with Wye College of the University of London where he studied Agricultural Economics.
Prince Mohato was installed as the Principal Chief of Matsieng on December 16, 1989. He was then abruptly sworn in a King on November 12, 1990 when the ruling Military Council forced his father, King Moshoeshoe II into exile. It was at this point that he was named King Letsie III after King Letsie I, the eldest son of King Moshoeshoe I, the founder of the Basotho nation. King Letsie III abdicated the throne on January 25, 1995, the day on which His Majesty King Moshoeshoe II was reinstated.
Following the tragic death of his father, King Moshoeshoe II, on January 15, 1996, King Letsie III was reinstalled as King and Head of State on February 7, 1996. His coronation took place on October 31, 1997, in Maseru.
On 18 February 2000, King Letsie III married Miss Karabo Motšoeneng who became known thereafter as Queen ’Masenate Mohato Seeiso. Their Majesties have been blessed with two daughters and a son: Her Royal Highness Princess Senate, born on October 7th, 2001, Her Royal Highness Princess ’Maseeiso born on November 20th, 2004, and His Royal Highness, Crown Prince Lerotholi born on April, 18th, 2007.
King Letsie III has a keen love/passion for agriculture. He spends most of his leisure time visiting his family’s cattle posts deep in the mountains. He devotes himself to arable farming and animal breeding, and enjoys country life.
His Majesty’s favourite sporting activities include horse riding, squash, tennis and rugby. He enjoys music, especially classical and traditional music.
THE ROYAL LINEAGE
Moshoeshoe I 1824 – 1870
Letsie I 1870 – 1891
Lerotholi I 1891 – 1905
Letsie II 1905 – 1913
Griffith Lerotholi 1913 – 1939
Seeiso Griffith 1939 – 1940
’MantšeboSeeiso 1940 – 1960
Moshoeshoe II 1960 – 1996*
Letsie III 1996 – to date
Modern Political History
Chief Sekhonyana ‘Maseribane of Basutoland National Party is the first Prime Minister of Lesotho though he served for only two months in favour of his leader, Chief Leabua Jonathan, who ruled from 1965 to 1970. During the 1970 election, Jonathan lost elections but refused to surrender power to the Basutoland Congress Party, which had won 36 seats against Jonathan’s BNP which only garnered 23 seats in Parliament. Jonathan declared a state of emergency and suspended the constitution to rule Lesotho by decree from 1970 to 1986 when he was eventually overthrown by a military junta led by Major General Justin Metsing Lekhanya.
The Military government of Lekhanya signed the Lesotho Highlands Water Project Treaty with South Africa which paved way for the construction of Katse and Mohale Dams which supply water to South Africa. Major General Lekhanya’s government also replaced the national flag formerly used by the BNP government and imposed order No.4, which banned political activities in Lesotho. Tensions also rose between the Military rule under Major General Lekhanya and the palace that led to the King to be sent on exile to Britain, leaving his son, then Prince Mohato Bereng Seeiso to ascend the Throne in 1990. Lekhanya was forced to resign in 1991 by Colonel Elias Phisoane Ramaema in another bloodless coup.
Committed to returning the country to civilian rule, It is Ramaema’s government that repealed Order No.4 and created the Constitutional Reform commission led Lesotho to the general elections that resulted in a landslide victory by Basutoland Congress Party (BCP) in 1993.
The BCP government, led by Prime Minister Ntsu Mokhehle went through tumultuous times leading to Prime Minister Mokhehle resigning from BCP to form the Lesotho Congress for Democracy that took over government in June 1997. In 1998, the country held elections which were won by LCD, now led by Pakalitha Bethuel Mosisili, a protégé of Ntsu Mokhehle. Mosisili’s reign as the Prime Minister of Lesotho survived for about 14 years until he was defeated by a coalition of LCD, BNP and ABC in 2012, which gave Thomas Motsoahae Thabane, the leader of All Basotho Convention, his first taste at the helm as Prime Minister.
The 2012 elections heralded a new era in the politics of Lesotho that continues to be predominantly characterised by coalition governments. The politics of coalitions are a result of the Mixed Member Proportional system, where 80 members of parliament are elected in first-past-the-post constituency elections, and 40 by proportional representation. Political party members who get into parliament through proportional representation have now become kingmakers in the formation of coalition governments. This trajectory follows from the waning domination of major political parties as they continue to disintegrate into splinter parties. The current political landscape indicates that coalition governments will continue to dominate the formation of governments in Lesotho to the foreseeable future.
On the flipside, the politics of coalitions have also been confronted with disagreements that have rendered government unstable. This instability drove Lesotho into holding two elections in the space of three years (2012, 2015). The last elections were held in June 2017, which were won by a coalition of All Basotho convention (ABC), Basotho National Party (BNP), Alliance of Democrats (AD) and Reformed Congress of Lesotho (RCL). The coalition elected Thomas Motsoahae Thabane as the Prime Minister of Lesotho until his retirement on 22nd May 2020. The balance of power in parliament shifted the formation of the coalition government that saw the Alliance of Democrats being withdrawn in fvour of Democratic Alliance. These changes gave rise to the swearing in of former Minister of Finance, Dr. Moeketsi Majoro as the new Prime Minister of Lesotho and Honourable Mathibeli Mokhothu as the Deputy Prime Minister. It is hoped that this new coalition government will eventually lead the country to fresh elections scheduled in October, 2022.
HEADS OF GOVERNMENT SINCE INDEPENDENCE
Sekhonyana ‘Maseribane 1965
Chief Leabua Jonathan 1986-1986
Major General MetsingLekhanya 1986-1991
Major General PhisoanaRamaema 1991-1993
Dr. NtsuMokhehle 1993-1998
Dr. PakalithaMosisili 1998-2012
Dr. Motsoahae Thomas Thabane 2012-2015
Dr. PakalithaMosisili 2015-2017
Dr. Motsoahae Thomas Thabane 2017 to May 2020
Dr. Moeketsi Majoro May 2020 to date
SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT (ARMS OF STATE)
PARLIAMENT
Lesotho is a Constitutional Monarch State with a bi-cameral Parliament composed of the Senate and National Assembly. The Upper House or Senate is composed of 33 members, 22 of them being Principal and Ward Chiefs representing the College of Chiefs, with 11 other members of the public appointed by the King on the recommendation of the Prime Minister. The Lower House consists of 120 seats, 80 of them elected through the first-past-the-post (FPTP) ballot and 40 allocated through proportional representation. This system, which Lesotho first used in 2002, is called a Mixed Member Proportional system. The Prime Minister, who heads the government, is chosen from the Lower House or National Assembly.
Lesotho also has a Local Government structure throughout the ten districts of the country divided into wards of approximately the same population, though their geographical area may differ immensely. The Local Government Councils are a mixture of elected members of the public and area Chiefs representing the traditional leadership structures.
JUDICIARY
The Justice system in Lesotho is mixed in that both the Roman-Dutch Law (combined with some English Common law) as well as Sesotho Customary Law (sometimes referred to as the Laws of Lerotholi) are afforded recognition in the Constitution. The High Court of Lesotho is headed by the Chief Justice who is appointed by the King on the advice of the Judicial Services Commission. Above the High Court is the Court of Appeal which sits periodically to hear appeals against decisions and verdicts passed by the High Court. Below the High Court, which also has other specialised wings (such as the Commercial Court, Labour Court, Land Court, etc.), are the Magistrates Courts, Regional Courts and Local Courts. However many of the disputes at the village level are still settled at the Chief’s kraal by the Chief assisted by village elders.
THE EXECUTIVE
Section 87 of the Constitution of Lesotho provides for the King to appoint a Prime Minister in accordance with the advice of the Council of State. The Prime Minister is a Member of Parliament who commands majority of the Members of the National Assembly. Once appointed, the Prime Minister in turn advises the King to appoint ministers from among the Members of the National Assembly and Senate, one of whom shall hold the office of the Deputy Prime Minister. The Cabinet forms the Executive of Government and is responsible for government policy and affairs of the state. Cabinet is collectively accountable to Parliament. The current Cabinet of His Majesty’s Government is made up of 28 Ministers and 10 Deputy Ministers.
THE NATIONAL FLAG
The colours of Lesotho national flag are: Blue, White, Green with a Black Basotho Hat on the White portion in the middle.
Blue represents the sky where the rain comes from, and white symbolises the peace that Basotho are renowned for. Green represents the land and its fertility and the Black hat is the iconic symbol representing the Basotho people.
THE COAT OF ARMS
The Lesotho coat of arms features a Basotho shield emblazoned with a crocodile which is the clan totem of the royal family. Behind the shield are two crossed weapons, the spear and the knobkierie, which symbolize protection. The left and right are supported by the famous Basotho ponies which are a symbol of wealth and contentment in Basotho culture. The foreground is adorned with the national motto: Khotso,Pula, Nala, which means Peace, Rain, Prosperity. The coat of Arms was adopted on 4th October 1968.
NATIONAL MOTTO
Khotso, Pula, Nala! is the national motto, which translates to Peace, Rain, Prosperity. The Basotho nation was founded during great wars and conflicts. For the nation to prosper, peace was essential. It is the belief of Basotho that if peace reigns, then it will rain. Good rains mean a good harvest as well as abundant grass in the pastures, ensuring that people and animals will be fed and enjoy prosperity.
NATIONAL ANTHEM
The melody and the lyrics of the national anthem, “LesōthōFatše La Bo Ntat’aRōna” come from European sources.The melody was from a Swiss songbook from around 1823 composed by Ferdinand-Samuel Laur. Despite being from a Swiss songbook, the musical style is similar to that of anthems of other nations in the area in the “Eastern folk”style, perhaps indicating the melody was “Africanized” sometime after it was first introduced to the country. The lyrics were by a French missionary, François Coillard, a protégé of Eugene Casalis. Coillard grew up near the French-Swiss border, close to the area where Laur’s songbook was released. It is believed that he may have known of the melody from there. The anthem first appeared in a collection of songs for high schools in 1869.
The anthem originally had five verses, but by the 20th century, only the first and last verses were used. Current lyrics were refined by a renowned Mosotho composer, Joshua Pulumo Mohapeloa and the national anthem as we know it today was eventually adopted in 1967 by a royal decree, which was backdated to Independence Day, October 4, 1966.
The anthem
Lesotho fatše la bo-ntat’arona,
Har’amafatše le letlekelona,
Ke moo re hlahileng,
Ke moo re holileng,
Rea le rata.
Molimoak’uboloke Lesotho,
U feliselintoa le matšoenyeho.
Oho, fatšelena,
La bo-ntat’arona,
Le be le khotso.
