This study analyses the relationship between the chieftainship institution and the elected councils in Lesotho. Based on a qualitative case study method the study seeks to understand this relationship in four selected councils in the Maseru district and how this can be nurtured to achieve a consolidated democracy. Contrary to modernists‟ arguments (that indigenous African political institutions, of which the chieftainship is part, are incompatible with liberal democracy since they are, inter alia, hereditary, they compete with their elective counterparts for political power, they threaten the democratic consolidation process, and they are irrelevant to democratising African systems), this study finds that these arguments are misplaced. Instead, chieftainship is not incompatible with liberal democracy per se. It supports the democratisation process (if the governing parties pursue friendly and accommodative policies to it) but uses its political agency in reaction to the policies of ruling parties to protect its survival interests, whether or not this undermines democratic consolidation process. The chieftainship has also acted to defend democracy when the governing party abuses its political power to undermine democratic rule. It performs important functions in the country. Thus, it is still viewed by the country‟s political leadership, academics, civil society, and councillors as legitimate and highly relevant to the Lesotho‟s contemporary political system. Because of the inadequacies of the government policies and the ambiguous chieftainship-councils integration model, which tend to marginalise the chieftainship and threaten its survival, its relationship with the councils was initially characterised by conflict. However, this relationship has improved, due to the innovative actions taken not by the central government, but by the individual Councils and chiefs themselves, thus increasing the prospects for democratic consolidation. I argue for and recommend the adoption in Lesotho of appropriate variants of the mixed government model to integrate the chieftainship with the elected councils, based on the re-contextualised and re-territorialised conception and practice of democracy, which eschews its universalistic EuroAmerican version adopted by the LCD government, but recognises and preserves the chieftainship as an integral part of the Basotho society, the embodiment of its culture, history, national identity and nationhood.

Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Management in Public Policy (MMPP) in the Governance School, Faculty of Law, Commerce and Management, University of the Witwatersrand / It is human nature to pursue happiness. This pursuit of happiness is in many cases obtained through hard work. People work in order to provide for their families and they obtain satisfaction if their families are happy with their provision. It is thus never an employees’ motive or desire to be dismissed from work or have bad relations with his/her employer. It is important to minimize conflicts between employers and employees in any country because it helps reduce the socio-economic problems that these conflicts may foster in societies. Governments use labour laws and policies to manage labour disputes. However, if these policies do not seem to be achieving what they are supposed to then that may suggest policy failure. This study looked particularly at the effectiveness of institutions dealing with labour dispute resolution in Lesotho. The purpose of the study was to establish reasons for why, despite all the legal frameworks relating to labour relations in Lesotho, there seems to be an escalation of disputes. It was found that lack of public participation, especially of employees and employers, in the formulation and implementation of policies, laws and regulations relating to labour relations leads to the escalation of disputes. This simply means that involving stakeholders in issues that affect them from the onset can reduce the level of disputes because the majority would have understood what labour relations entails. A qualitative study was used and data was collected through one-on-one semi-structured interviews with 31 participants, focusing on people who are mostly affected by labour relations in Maseru, the capital of Lesotho. The participants were chosen purposively to suit the study being undertaken. However, data collection was a limitation to this study because it was difficult for the researcher to secure appointments with participants. The study made the following recommendations: it is through the effectiveness of institutions that labour disputes can be reduced, especially Ministry of Labour and Employment (Department of Labour), Directorate of Dispute Prevention and Resolution (DDPR), labour court, and labour appeals. However, the social partners, especially trade unions and employers’ organizations, also play a critical role in ensuring wellfunctioning labour relations are in place. / MT2016

M.Sc., Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, 2011 / Prolonged snow cover in Lesotho frequently results in human and livestock deaths, due to isolation and exposure. MODIS Rapid Response imagery is emerging as an important source of near real-time data for global hazard mapping and emergency response. A dataset of daily MODIS snow cover images for the period 2003 – 2010 was acquired for Lesotho. Combined with high-resolution SPOT satellite images for two study areas, MODIS snow cover images were used to establish the frequency, extent and timing of snowfalls. A digital elevation model was used in conjunction with mean air temperature data to investigate the effects of altitude, aspect and temperature on the mean rate of daily snowmelt. A strong correlation exists between mean day-time temperatures and the mean rate of daily snowmelt throughout the winter season. The mean rate of snow dissipation is most rapid after late season (September – November) snowfalls and least rapid after mid season (July – August) snowfalls. Snow cover persisting for 1 – 5 days dissipates at a higher mean rate than snow cover that has persisted for 6 – 10 days. Snow lasts longest on south-facing slopes above 2500m a.s.l, with evidence of increased ablation due to wind deflation and higher insolation levels in the highlands above 3400m a.s.l. The southern Drakensberg highlands in the district of Quthing have the highest mean duration of snow cover (21 – 25 days per annum). The seasonal extent and duration of snow cover was related to the spatial location of villages and roads in Lesotho, in order to determine individual vulnerability to negative impacts associated with prolonged snow cover. A ranking system was applied to each village according to the seasonal duration of snow cover, and the accessibility and proximity to the nearest road. Snowfalls occur between 1 and 8 times per annum on average. Therefore, village vulnerability is generally low, as most settlements are situated on predominantly north-facing slopes in the western lowlands and Senqu River Valley, which remain largely snow-free throughout the winter season. Few villages experience prolonged snow cover, which is limited to predominantly south-facing slopes above 2500m a.s.l along the escarpment and interior mountain ranges. Village vulnerability increases during the mid season period as a result of the increased frequency and duration of snow cover in July and August. The villages of Thoteng (Butha-Buthe), Letseng-la-Terae (Mokhotlong) and Mabalane (Butha-Buthe) have the highest vulnerability for the 2003 – 2010 period.

In the six decades since the mid 20th century, the world has experienced phenomenal urban growth, especially in the developing world. This growth has been closely associated with increasing levels of poverty and deprivation characterized by lack of access to safe water supplies, proper sanitation and access to assets. Other features include slums, informal settlements and low employment. This demographic shift is taking place within a context of low rates of economic growth and political engagement between the state and civil society. Lesotho, while sharing these experiences, is also one of the poorest countries in the world, ranking 158 out of 177 according to the UN Human Development Index. This has largely determined the nature of urbanization, with deepening economic problems in most of the country, rural and urban, resulting in poverty. Nevertheless, there has been a profound shift in location of that poverty. Whereas before it was overwhelmingly a rural phenomenon, now poverty is urbanized. In addition, due to the nature of urban development in the country, poverty is primarily concentrated in Maseru – the primary city of this small, land-locked country. While literature concentrates much on developing world cities, including those of Africa, it is silent on the impact of urbanization on poverty in Maseru. This thesis attempts to fill this gap and argues that rapid and differentiated forms of urbanization have increased poverty in Maseru. It studies how differentiated forms and patterns of urbanization have affected the manifestations of poverty in different parts of Maseru. It also analyses the different livelihood strategies employed by the poor residents of the three communities (Thibella, Sekamaneng and Motimposo) in Maseru as the increase in urbanization has unsettled conventional livelihood strategies, compelling them to employ different livelihood strategies to survive. Further, the study examines how the urban governance systems and people within them are coping with these pressures. The study concludes that the increased poverty in Maseru resulted from Lesotho and Maseru’s historic development trends, as the results confirm. However, urbanization significantly exacerbated this poverty. The varied processes of urban growth (inward migration and urban encroachment) have affected the manifestations of poverty and created different experiences of poverty in Maseru and, in turn, shaped the livelihood strategies of its inhabitants. The urban governance is failing to cope with the demands of this growth further increasing poverty.

Thesis (M.M. (Finance & Investment)--University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, Wits Business School, 2017 / This study assesses the effect of Asset Liability Management Strategies on Performance of Commercial Banks. That is, those factors that are responsible for differences between returns generated on assets and costs incurred on liabilities by banks in Lesotho. The study also investigates the impact of bank regulation on banks performance. The study results suggest that only one regulatory variable namely Capital adequacy ratio has a strong influence on the profitability of commercial banks in Lesotho. The other regulatory variable namely Liquidity ratio has a negative but statistically insignificant impact on banks’ performance while AML variable, Gap ratio, has positive but also statistically insignificant impact on banks performance. Furthermore, the control variables have positive, insignificant impact on banks performance. / MT2017

This study examines how paralegal training in Lesotho was designed and managed. It analyses the content of the training and methods used. An assessment is made of how the participants used the training in the field. Since the inception of paralegal training in 1993 in Lesotho, no systematic and consolidated analysis lias been done to present a story on the existence o f the paralegal training programme. Paralegal training in this context is defined as the training of community-based people who are given skills to help disadvantaged individuals and groups to fight for thcirrights through the legal system. The legal profession adopted the use o f "barefoot lawyers" to address the imbalance in the accessibility o f legal services and facilities. Internationally the use of paralegals has taken root. In Lesotho the use of paralegals is fairly new, so there is the need to explore mis approach. There are two organisadons involved in paralegal training - the Community Legal Resource and Advice Centre (CLRAC) and the Lesotho Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA). Both serve urban and rural populations. Lesotho being a case in point, this is a study aimed at obtaining in-depth information to highlight the paralegal training programme in Lesotho. It sought to ask critical questions about who were recruited as paralegal trainees, which topics were handled in the paralegal training programme, what training methods were used and what responsibilities paralegals fulfil after training. The outcome of this study has already contributed towards establishing a common content and methodology by presenting a systematic analysis of differences and common issues. The methods used to compile the Lesotho case study of paralegal training were reference to files and reports kept by CLRAC and FIDA,in house interviews and observations and interviews with paralegals and village leaders. Forty paralegals, who were trained by the two organisations, were involved in the study. They were identified from the districts o f Module's Hock, Mafeteng, Thaba-Tseka, (the three districts where CLRAC operates), Teyateyaneng and Quthing (two o f the three districts where FIDA operates). An interview schedule was developed which was used lo collect the information from the different respondents who were available during data collection phase of the study. The outcome of this study is that paralegal work is useful. There is the need to train more people as paralegals and to design the paralegal training programme in such a way that it responds to problems within a given context of rural and urban settings.

Abstract not available. / Thesis (M.Ed.) - University of Natal, 2003.

Lesotho has a land area of about 30.340 square kilometers and is completely surrounded by the Republic of South Africa. Much of the country is mountainous. Its agricultural sector is characterized by low productivity due to erratic climatic conditions, limited arable land and fragile soils with a low water holding capacity. These conditions have proved very detrimental to crop production, rendering agriculture a risky economic activity. Numerous efforts have been made over the years to address the technical constraints confronting the sector, but nothing seems to be changing. The implication is that the technical/climatic factors mentioned above may be only part of the problem. The current situation whereby Lesotho imports nearly 95% of its domestic food requirements is unsustainable, but this desperate picture looks set to worsen with the continuing threats of contracting farm sizes and further declines in farmer participation rates. But this sector has continued to be an important source of household survival and existence. A study was designed and conducted during 2008 and 2009 to identify the institutional constraints to horticulture production in Lesotho, looking specifically at the obstacles to effective production and marketing of horticultural products. A total of 100 farming households were enumerated in four districts of the country, namely Butha Buthe, Berea, Mafeteng, and Thaba-Tseka. A range of institutional and non-price factors in the farming and marketing environment were incorporated in a binary choice model to investigate the degree of satisfaction of the farming households with their previous year’s farming results. To avoid selection bias in the sample, a probit model was chosen, and the Stata-10 software was used to estimate probit coefficients. The results provide indications that property rights, the agricultural extension service, the condition of the physical infrastructure, and distance to markets may be crucial elements threatening the existence of this sector in Lesotho. The difficulties in accessing markets and land remain important institutional constraints to horticulture production and marketing in Lesotho. Recommendations made on these issues include providing more policy support to homestead gardening and for these issues to be incorporated into the Vision 2020 process. Also to be included is the issue of addressing the growing national food insecurity and enhancing Basotho livelihoods in general.

This study focused on the implementation of ICTs in secondary schools in Lesotho. The main question addressed was: What are the enabling and constraining factors in the implementation of ICTs in schools? The work was undertaken in recognition of the fact that schools in the country were autonomously acquiring computers and using a variety of curricula without much coordination and policies from the government. There were factors encouraging schools to delve into this educational change: and challenges were already evident. This required further investigation. The research approach commenced with a critical review of the literature. Literature was drawn from developed and developing countries in order to understand the process of ICT implementation from a variety of contexts. The enquiry about the implementation process in all the countries focused on the rationale behind the use of ICTs in schools. ICT policies guiding implementation, principal leadership, teacher professional development and ICT resources. The literature review was followed by case studies of three secondary schools in Mafeteng district in Lesotho. Using both qualitative and quantitative methods of research, the study sought to determine from key people in three case study schools their overall understanding of how the process of implementation was carried out and what they perceived as enablers and constraints. The findings revealed that planning, access arrangements, training, support and to a lesser extent resources played a role in either impeding or encouraging the key ICT implementers at school and classroom level. Additionally, the key role of the principal and the MoE were highlighted in the study.

Thesis (MEd)--University of Stellenbosch, 2004 / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The central question of this thesis is whether free and compulsory primary education in primary government schools of Lesotho has the potential to be thickly democratic. I hold that the Free and Compulsory Primary Education (2000) policy is a less democratic project because it is characterised by principles of thin democracy. My claim is that free and compulsory primary education in Lesotho can be more democratic if there is balance in the demand for equity of access in the FPE (2000) project. I hold that in order to succeed in further democratising the Free and Compulsory Primary Education (2000) programme, the whole process, but primarily the structures of education, should be anchored within thick democratic principles. Although primary education is regarded to have changed, this change has been illusory or superficial (meaning that it is still essentially the same as the colonial one), as it did not affect the structure and value systems governing the delivery of education. The reported conflicts that have come to the fore after independence have been mostly on matters of strategy rather than differences in terms of the values that drive the delivery of education in Lesotho. The focus of Lesotho's education has remained on an elitist and outwardly looking minority. This powerful minority remains geared towards the acquisition of a Western type of education driven by Western values. Lessons and opportunities that could have been learnt from Sotho (pre-colonial) educational experiences and which were regarded as democratic have been lost. I contend that a democratically driven education system has to draw its inspiration from the principles of thick democratic education. An effective and transformational educational system requires the commitment of those in political leadership as well as those in charge of education. This commitment must include a desire to implement an education system that transforms people's worldview qualitatively to put them at the service of their nation. I hold that the value of education in Lesotho can be successful when it is capable of producing men and women of the highest integrity, honesty, tolerance, responsibility and accountability. The education system should produce individuals who are hard working, patriotic, well mannered and committed to serving their society. Education should be able to equip each and everyone to contribute meaningfully to the development of the nation. Finally, the teaching of thick democratic attributes must be founded on the bedrock of a successful education system in Lesotho from the lowest classes or grades. KEYWORDS: Free and compulsory education, democratic education, quality education, equality in education, thick and thin democracy in Lesotho. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die belangrike vraag in hierdie tesis is of gratis en verpligte primêre onderwys in primêre skole in Lesotho die potensiaal het om "dik" demokraties te is. Myns insiens is die beleid van gratis en verpligte primêre onderwys (2000) 'n minder demokratiese projek aangesien dit deur die beginsels van onvoldoende ("dun") demokrasie gekenmerk word. Ek voer aan dat gratis en verpligte primêre onderwys in Lesotho meer demokraties kan wees indien daar 'n balans in die vraag na gelyke toegang in die Gratis Primêre Onderwys-projek (2000) bestaan. Ek meen verder dat die hele proses, maar hoofsaaklik die onderwysstrukture, in demokratiese beginsels veranker behoort te wees ten einde die verdemokratisering van die program vir gratis en verpligte primêre onderwys (2000) suksesvol deur te voer. Alhoewel daar gereken word dat primêre onderwys verander het, was hierdie verandering denkbeeldig of oppervlakkig (waarmee bedoel word dat dit steeds wesenlik dieselfde is as die koloniale onderwysstelsel), aangesien dit nie 'n invloed gehad het op die struktuur en waardestelsel wat die lewering van onderwys beheer nie. Die konflikte wat aangemeld is ná onafhanklikwording het meestal te make gehad met kwessies ten opsigte van strategie eerder as verskille met betrekking tot die waardes wat die lewering van onderwys in Lesotho beheer. Die fokus op onderwys in Lesotho het gerig gebly op 'n elitistiese en uitwaartse invloedryke minderheid wat ingeskakel het by die verwerwing van 'n Westerse soort onderwys wat deur Westerse waardes gedryf word. Lesse en geleenthede wat uit prekoloniale Sothoonderwyservaringe geleer kon word en wat as demokraties beskou kon word, het verlore gegaan. Myns insiens moet 'n demokraties-gedrewe onderwysstelsel sy inspirasie uit die beginsels van demokratiese onderwys kan put. 'n Doeltreffende en transformasionele onderwysstelsel vereis die verbintenis van diegene aan die roer van sake ten opsigte van leierskap in die gemeenskap sowel as diegene in beheer van onderwys. Hierdie verbintenis moet getemper word deur 'n behoefte aan die implementering van onderwys wat mense se wêreldbeskouing op kwalitatiewe wyse transformeer ten einde hulle in diens te stel van hulle nasie en die mense. Die waarde van onderwys in Lesotho kan slegs gesien word wanneer dit in staat is om mans en vroue van die hoogste integriteit, eerlikheid, verdraagsaamheid, verantwoordelikheid en aanspreeklikheid te lewer - hardwerkende, patriotiese, goedgemanierde mense wat daaraan toegewy is om hulle samelewing te dien. Onderwys behoort in staat te wees om 'n ieder en 'n elk toe te rus om op betekenisvolle wyse tot die ontwikkeling van die nasie by te dra. Laastens, die onderrig van "dik" demokratiese eienskappe moet gebou word op die basis van 'n suksesvolle onderwysstelsel in Lesotho vanaf die laagste klasse of grade. SLEUTELWOORDE: Gratis en verpligte onderwys, demokratiese onderwys, kwaliteit onderwys, gelyke onderwys, "dik" en "dun" demokrasie in Lesotho.