Fieldsite in Lesotho

Location

There are several fieldsites within the Kingdom of Lesotho:

1. Maseru
Maseru is the capital of Lesotho, and Lesotho’s only large town. Increasing urbanization has resulted in rapid growth in Maseru over the last few years. It is surrounded by sprawling shantytowns its center is compact and more modern despite the damage done during the coup of 1998.

2. National University of Lesotho, Roma
The National University of Lesotho is located approximately 35km south east of Maseru.

3. Mountain sites (Katse, Mohale)
Two mountainous damn sites. Katse damn is located in the center region of Lesotho. Mohale is located North and East of Roma. Both dams are part of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project. Geologists, human rights activists, social scientists, banks, investors, and governments hotly debate what the consequences of the project actually are. Numerous issues such as the treatment of workers, compensation of workers and displaced communities, geological and environmental effects, and corruption in the LHDA (Lesotho Highlands Development Authority), World Bank, and governments of Lesotho and South Africa have had an impact on the project. Several fissures have been found and seen being created in the areas near to the dams in Mohale and Katse. Tremors are also common resulting in mudslides, more fissures, cracks, and destruction of property.

Language

The vast majority of people in Lesotho speak Southern Sotho (or Sesotho). The next most prevalent language in Lesotho is isiZulu which is spoken mainly in parts of NE Lesotho. Only a tiny minority of the Lesotho population speaks English or other languages. Fortunately, the percentage of those who speak at least some English is proportionately higher in both Maseru and at the National University of Lesotho, both proposed field sites.

Group Identity / Ethnicity

The people of Lesotho are known as Basotho. Originally people under separate Sotho (Kwena – 15th century – family migrated from Botswana and NE S Africa) chiefs were united by a King Moshoeshoe as a result of migratory unrest stemming from colonial incursion and Zulu aggression. The sense of Sotho national and cultural unity remains strong. There is minority of Zulu and Asians (particularly Taiwanese). Any residents of European descent are limited to NGO workers and the like.

Religion

Depending on the source between 80 and 95 percent of Basotho profess to be Roman Catholic. Other Christian denominations are present as well but Catholicism is by far the largest. While some sources indicate that those Basotho who do not profess to be of some Christian affiliation still adhere to traditional/indigenous beliefs, this is misleading. It would be difficult to find a Basotho who did not take at least some aspects of ‘traditional’ Basotho religion (i.e. ancestor solicitation, initiation, etc.) seriously. Most Basotho, therefore, have multiple affiliations.

Economic Activities

Much of the male labor force from Lesotho works in South African mines, though this is changing due to recent layoffs at the mines which have resulted in a high unemployment rate. The economy is primarily based on agriculture, especially livestock, although severe drought has decreased agricultural activity. There is inequality in the distribution of income as the result of corruption and scandal in the government and in particular the Lesotho Highlands Water Project. There is a modest textile industry (mainly owned by Taiwanese investors) in the outskirts of Maseru and in the areas north of Maseru along the border (i.e. Leribe). Often families must rely on ‘piece jobs’ (temporary work such as repairing roads, cleaning houses, washing clothes, selling vegetables). Often the women are the biggest breadwinners since the mining jobs are not as plentiful and men are rarely employed in the textile factories.

Education

Education is compulsory between the ages of 6 and 13. Public schools are not free, however in 2000 a fee elimination plan for public schools was implemented in phases. Many primary and secondary schools are administered by NGOs, mostly Christian.

Health Care

There is a public healthcare system in Lesotho but it is woefully under-funded and ill-equipped. As a result there is a huge reliance on NGO assistance (much like the education system). For example, the Christian Health Association of Lesotho (a part of Global Ministries) provides one-third of the health care to the country.