Weekly Observer

01/11/2025

Legal Symposium Urges Lesotho to Innovate and Lead in the Digital Era Vodacom Lesotho on Thursday hosted the Legal Symposium on Law and Technology in Maseru under the theme “Leading the Future – Our Shared Role in Legal Evolution.” The event brought together key figures from Lesotho’s legal and technology sectors to explore the country’s role in shaping a responsive and inclusive digital future.

Delivering the keynote address, Vodacom Lesotho Chief Executive Officer Mr. Mohale Ralebitso challenged participants to embrace authenticity and innovation within their local contexts.

He urged legal practitioners and policymakers to become architects of Lesotho’s digital future, emphasising that while speed in innovation is important, direction and accountability are equally crucial. “A powerful engine needs brakes,” he remarked, stressing the importance of thoughtful regulation in emerging areas such as artificial intelligence and intellectual property. Ralebitso further called for inclusive legal frameworks that protect vulnerable populations and reflect Lesotho’s social and economic realities. He underscored the need for academic reform and digital literacy to prepare future legal professionals for the demands of a modern, technology-driven world. Importantly, he emphasised that transformation must be inclusive, of quality, and rooted in purpose, ensuring that no one — particularly rural communities — is left behind.

Speaking at the same event, the President of the Law Society of Lesotho, Lintle Tuke, reflected on the country’s longstanding traditions of conflict resolution, noting that Basotho practiced Khotla long before modern Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) systems were introduced. He announced that the Law Society will soon sign a Memorandum of Understandinghttps://weeklyobserver.online/2025/11/01/legal-symposium-urges-lesotho-to-innovate-and-lead-in-the-digital-era/

01/11/2025

African Writers Unite in Maseru to Celebrate and Empower Creativity

At the ongoing Africa Writers Conference hosted in Maseru, writers from Zambia, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Ghana, and other neighbouring countries have come together to share creative ideas and promote best practices in the literary world.
The conference, which began on October 27 and concludes tomorrow, November 2, 2025, is held under the theme “Celebrating African Narratives: Uniting Cultures and Empowering Creatives.”

Among today’s keynote speakers was Matšeliso Lesupi, celebrated author of Bophelo Ba Lillo and Leholimo la Phetloa, among other works. In her address, Lesupi congratulated fellow writers for their commitment to storytelling, noting that “they have already won because they have started writing — a true reflection that unity is strength.”
She urged writers to preserve Africa’s heritage by celebrating unity, culture, and creativity. “The role of literature,” she said, “is to influence, educate, and entertain. It is crucial for transferring knowledge, wisdom, and building curiosity.”

Lesupi further challenged young writers to make their work relevant and accessible within the education system, emphasizing the need for consistent creativity and cultural representation through writing.
The conference also explored themes of self-discovery, encouraging writers to find their unique voices and identities, with mentors serving as guides on that journey.

30/10/2025

Happening Now!
Vodacom Lesotho is hosting the Legal Symposium on Law and Technology in Maseru, under the theme “Leading the Future – Our Shared Role in Legal Evolution.”

30/10/2025

Legal Symposium Sparks Call for Innovation and Identity in Law and Technology

Vodacom Lesotho today hosted the Legal Symposium on Law and Technology in Maseru under the theme “Leading the Future – Our Shared Role in Legal Evolution.” The event brought together key players from Lesotho’s legal and technology sectors to explore the country’s role in shaping a responsive and inclusive digital future.

Delivering the keynote address, Vodacom Lesotho CEO Mr. Mohale Ralebitso challenged participants to embrace authenticity and innovation within their local contexts. Quoting American philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson, he said, “Envy is ignorance, imitation is suicide.”
Ralebitso explained that envy blinds individuals to their own potential, while imitation erases their uniqueness — a reminder especially relevant to smaller nations like Lesotho, where people often underestimate their ability to drive change and design home-grown solutions.

He urged legal practitioners and policymakers to become architects of Lesotho’s digital future, emphasizing that while speed in innovation is important, direction and accountability are equally crucial. “A powerful engine needs brakes,” he remarked, stressing the importance of regulation and thoughtful progress in fields such as artificial intelligence and intellectual property.

Ralebitso further called for inclusive legal frameworks that protect vulnerable populations and reflect Lesotho’s realities. He underscored the need for academic reform and digital literacy to ensure that future legal professionals are equipped for the demands of a modern, technology-driven world.

Importantly, he warned that the transformation must be inclusive, of quality, and rooted in purpose — ensuring that rural communities and those without financial means are not left behind.
The symposium set the stage for deeper national reflection on how to leverage legal evolution for economic growth, with Ralebitso cautioning that modern colonisation will not come with guns, but through systems and technologies. Only those prepared and informed will thrive.

30/10/2025

Lesotho Coin (LSCoin): The Gateway to Lesotho’s Digital Economy

Lesotho is stepping boldly into the future. From the heart of the Mountain Kingdom emerges Lesotho Coin — a symbol of ambition, innovation, and financial independence. Designed to power Lesotho’s digital transformation, LSCoin is more than a cryptocurrency; it is a movement that aims to redefine how Basotho connect with the modern economy.

Across the world, blockchain technology is reshaping industries, empowering individuals, and unlocking new opportunities. For Lesotho, LSCoin represents a national leap into this digital frontier — a homegrown initiative with a global vision. It seeks to create an inclusive financial system where everyone, from local entrepreneurs to rural communities, can participate in and benefit from the digital economy.

At its core, LSCoin champions accessibility and inclusion. It aims to make digital transactions seamless and transparent while encouraging innovation across different sectors. The vision is clear: a connected Lesotho where digital currency becomes a bridge between traditional commerce and tomorrow’s digital markets.

But beyond its technology lies something far more powerful — purpose. LSCoin embodies the resilience and forward-thinking spirit of the Basotho people. It speaks to a generation ready to embrace new tools for progress, to unlock economic potential, and to take Lesotho’s place in the global conversation about digital finance.

As adoption grows and awareness spreads, LSCoin is setting the stage for new possibilities. Imagine borderless trade for small businesses, faster remittances for families, digital investments for youth, and easier access to global markets. This is the promise at the heart of LSCoin — a future where opportunity flows freely and technology connects everyone.

Lesotho’s journey toward a digital economy has officially begun, and LSCoin stands at the center of it. The gateway is open, inviting citizens, innovators, and investors to be part of a national transformation.
Lesotho Coin (LSCoin): Empowering Lesotho, Connecting Africa, and Shaping a Smarter Digital Future.

Lesotho is stepping boldly into the future. From the heart of the Mountain Kingdom emerges Lesotho Coin — a symbol

28/10/2025

Today marks the official activation of the upcoming Annual Member Engagement Forum 2025 (AMEF 2025)

Hosted by the Public Officers’ Defined Contribution Pension Fund (PODCPF), this year’s Forum is themed “Mmoho Katlehisong ea Bokamoso ba Hau” (Together in the Success of Your Future) — highlighting the shared mission of securing Members’ retirement futures through collaboration and trust.
Set for Wednesday, 5 November 2025, AMEF 2025 strengthens the Fund’s unwavering commitment to its core objectives of accountability and transparency, achieved through active stakeholder engagement with Members, Government representatives, and partners.

With a membership base of over 37,000 active public officers from the Teaching Service, Public Service, Local Government, and Disciplined Forces, the Forum ensures inclusivity through a hybrid format — combining in-person and virtual participation.

The event will be streamed live for FREE on the Fund’s website (www.pensionfund.org.ls), as well as via Microsoft Teams, Facebook Live, and Radio Lesotho, giving every Member an equal opportunity to take part and engage.

18/10/2025

Shaping Futures Through Sport: Lesotho Concludes Regional Forum on Quality Physical Education

Today marks the end of a Sub-Regional Forum on Quality Physical Education, bringing together policymakers, educators, and sports leaders from across the region. The event, which began on October 16, hosted in Lesotho, is organized by the Ministry of Tourism, Sports, Arts and Culture in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Training, the African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5, and UNESCO.

The discussions focus on the transformative role of quality physical education and sport in shaping the region’s future. Minister of Education, Professor Ntoi Rapapa, underscored the importance of integrating physical education into national education systems, aligning with UNESCO’s global priorities and the AU Sport Council’s development goals. About ten countries gathered in this forum.

He called for increased investment in sports from the grassroots level, emphasizing the need for innovative financing models to improve sports infrastructure and facilities. The Minister also highlighted the role of physical education in addressing social challenges such as substance abuse, excessive social media use, and the breakdown of family structures — all of which threaten youth wellbeing.

The Regional Director and Representative for the UNESCO Regional Office for Southern Africa, Dr. Nisha, noted that the forum comes at a time when children are becoming increasingly inactive. She stressed that physical education lays the foundation for an inclusive and quality life.
According to UNESCO’s 2024 Global Report on Education, while 97% of countries include physical education in their curriculum, only 20% implement it in ways that meet the standards of quality, equity, and inclusion.
UNESCO
Ministry of Education and Training - Lesotho
Ministry of Tourism, Sports, Arts and Culture
https://weeklyobserver.online/2025/10/17/lesotho-hosts-forum-on-quality-physical-education/

16/10/2025

Lesotho Faces Worsening Food Insecurity as Lean Season Approaches

Lesotho is bracing for a sharp rise in food insecurity, with new figures showing that more than 334,000 people—about 22 percent of the rural population—will struggle to meet their basic food needs between October 2025 and March 2026.

According to the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report, released on October 9, at least 258,000 people were already in “Crisis” (IPC Phase 3) between May and September this year. The situation is expected to worsen during the lean season, when most households run out of their own produce and rely heavily on food purchases.

Maseru, Mafeteng, and Mohale’s Hoek are currently the hardest-hit districts, but projections show that by early 2026, nine out of ten districts will fall into the Crisis category, with only Leribe remaining one step lower at “Stressed” (IPC Phase 2).

The report identifies several key drivers of this looming crisis. Late rains followed by dry spells and soaring temperatures led to widespread crop failure during the 2024/25 season. National maize production dropped by 19 percent compared to the previous year, compounding already high food and fuel prices. Outbreaks of livestock disease further eroded rural livelihoods.

“Food is available in the markets, but affordability is the real challenge,” the IPC analysis notes. “Poorer households are already employing negative coping strategies, such as selling livestock or skipping meals.”
READ MORE: https://weeklyobserver.online/2025/10/15/lesotho-faces-worsening-food-insecurity-as-lean-season-approaches/

07/10/2025

Trans-Africa Tourism and Unity Campaign Pushes for Visa-Free Africa

This morning, the Trans-Africa Tourism and Unity Campaign, led by Mr. Ras Mubarak from Ghana, held a media conference in Lesotho, calling for a united and borderless Africa.

The campaign, driven by volunteers from Ghana and supported by private corporations, advocates for a Visa-Free Africa to promote free movement, tourism, and economic cooperation among African nations. Lesotho marks the 13th country visited out of the planned 39 African nations. However, due to security concerns, a few countries will not be part of the initiative to avoid potential conflicts.

Mr. Mubarak emphasized that a Visa-Free Africa would open doors for Africans through cultural exchange, sustainable job creation, and increased economic opportunities. He highlighted that tourism currently generates 1.1 billion dollars across Africa, noting the continent’s untapped potential in this sector.

“In the 1960s, Kwame Nkrumah, former President of Ghana, envisioned a well-connected Africa to boost economic growth. Yet, decades later, we are still not there,” Mubarak said. He added that the campaign seeks official endorsement from governments to formalize support for the initiative.

He further remarked that global leaders, such as former U.S. President Donald Trump, prioritize their nations’ interests — a mindset Africa must also adopt.

01/10/2025

Henry McCarter of the SADC National Peace Commission expresses serious concern that the Lesotho High Commissioner has refused their formal request for the urgent release of Dr. Tsepo Lipholo, citing his deteriorating health and unlawful detention. McCarter warns that the government's inaction could be seen as a deliberate attempt to cause Lipholo's death, emphasising his role as a member of opposition.
He references UN Resolution 1817 (1961) to stress the international community’s duty to intervene when justice and human rights are at risk, concluding with a reminder that “the world is watching.”

Follow link to watch full video: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaRvftXAe5VqLkuzwt15/324

30/09/2025

Billions Spent on Corridors — But the People Along Them Still Don’t Have Water

MASERU — Southern Africa is pouring billions into economic corridors while neglecting the one resource that makes development possible: water.

At a high-level gathering in Maseru this week, hosted by the Government of Lesotho and attended by ministers, development partners, and climate experts, Andrew Takawira, Global Water Partnership Southern Africa Interim Executive Secretary, warned that water continues to be treated as an afterthought rather than a strategic pillar.

“We cannot speak of corridors while ignoring the rivers and wetlands that feed them,” Takawira said in his keynote address. “We risk laying down asphalt while drying out livelihoods.”

The disconnect is already visible across the region. Highways cut through villages where women still walk kilometres to fetch water. Energy pipelines bypass smallholder farmers whose crops fail with every drought. Border posts facilitate trade, yet informal traders along those same routes struggle to access clean water for cooking or sanitation.

“A corridor that only moves trucks is incomplete,” Takawira said. “A corridor that protects rivers and wetlands builds resilience, inclusion, and long-term stability.”

He framed water governance not as an environmental concern but as “an economic necessity and a peacekeeping instrument across shared basins.”

Takawira stressed that development which bypasses the people living along corridors is not true development.

“Water is their way in — and right now, we are shutting them out,” he said.

He urged governments to abandon siloed planning and align water, energy, agriculture, and infrastructure under one shared purpose. Without this, Southern Africa’s corridors, while impressive on paper, will remain fragile, unjust, and unsustainable on the ground.
READ MORE: https://weeklyobserver.online/2025/09/30/billions-spent-on-corridors-but-the-people-along-the

30/09/2025

Basotho Migrants in South Africa Face New Challenges Under Immigration Amendment Bill

For thousands of Basotho living and working in South Africa, the recent passage of the Immigration Amendment Bill B8-2024 has added a new layer of uncertainty to their lives. While the bill aims to align immigration practices with constitutional standards, many migrant workers see it as a reminder of their fragile position in a country where opportunities often come with vulnerability.

The amendment, which updates the 2002 Immigration Act, introduces mandatory judicial oversight of detention within 48 hours, an “interests of justice” test for detention, protections for vulnerable groups such as children, and streamlined deportation procedures. On paper, these changes are designed to safeguard human rights. However, for many Basotho migrants—many without full documentation or work permits—the reality is far more complex.

One major concern is the increased risk of detention and deportation. Although the law requires undocumented migrants to be brought before a court within 48 hours, enforcement remains uneven. Many migrants face prolonged detention in overcrowded or rural facilities where court processes are slow. For Basotho working in informal sectors, the threat of sudden arrest disrupts livelihoods and places their families back home at risk.

READ MORE: https://weeklyobserver.online/2025/09/30/basotho-migrants-in-south-africa-face-new-challenges-under-immigration-amendment-bill/