Faculty of Humanities

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Basotho and the mines
(University of Cape Town, 1995-09) Maloka, Edward Tshidiso;
This thesis examines how Lesotho came to depend on the export of its men to South African mines; what the experiences of these men were; and how all this impacted on Basotho society during the years between c.1890 and 1940. The thesis is divided into three parts. Part I focuses on the context and dynamics of labour migration and recruitment in Lesotho during the late 1880s to the late 1930s. This Part lays the basis for subsequent sections by showing which sections of Basotho opted for labour migrancy; and why it was men and not women who, initially at least, became migrants. In discussing the decline of the Basotho economy in the 1920s and 1930s, this section also shows how this was characterised not only by dependence on migrantsJ earnings, but also by the orientation to and concentration of Basotho labour on the Witwatersrand gold mines. Part II discusses various themes relating to life and conditions on the mines and in the compounds during the period up to c.1940. While specific note is taken of the African minersJ death and accident rate, most attention is devoted to the various ways which Basotho miners developed for dealing with the sickness, death and destitution befalling their compatriots in the compounds and on the mines. Conversion to Christianity was an important part of some miners experience, as church forums and the bible could be used for recreational purposes, while literacy classes imparted many with essential skills which could lead to promotion on the mine. But competition for promotion and favours, as well as conflicting survival strategies, often resulted in violent conflict among African miners. Although some scholars have mistakenly attributed such conflict to ethnic factors alone, this thesis argues for an approach which is simultaneously historically and materially grounded. Part III, by using the case of infectious and occupational diseases, and prostitution and commercial beer-brewing, traces ii and analyses the impact of the migrant labour system on Lesotho. The thesis shows how the spread to Lesotho of such diseases as syphilis and tuberculosis was directly linked to contact with South African towns and mining centres through wage labour. Beer canteens and brothels emerged and flourished in colonial Lesotho not only because of the decline of the countryJs economy and the breakdown of Basotho social structures, but also because these establishments serviced the migrant labour traffic itself. The significance of this study lies in two areas. Historiographically, this study seeks to contribute to migrant labour studies in Lesotho in particular and Southern Africa in general. Its approach stands between economism which attributes the causes of labour migrancy solely to economic factors, and those paradigms which privilege ideas and culture over material factors. There is a dialectical interplay between material factors and ideas, although the former ultimately determines the latter. Secondly, the significance of this study lies in the fact that many of the issues raised, especially those in Part III, continue to pose serious problems for Basotho people and their government to this day. Knowing something about the origins and history of these problems may contribute to finding lasting solutions. This study, therefore, is about Lesotho, Basotho, and the mines.
Reflection of history in Khaketla's dramas: A comparative analysis.
(University of the Witwatersrand, 1996) Phafoli, Lehlohonolo; Prof. Maake, Nhlanhla P.
"My texts refer to historical facts because I feel that they must have credibility. In this way they can arouse interest among the readers." (Khaketla, interview 25/04/1994) This study "Reflection of history in Khaketla's dramas .. A comparative analysis" elucidates the view that the playwright utilised the narrative imagination in order to reflect history. His works show imaginary resolution of real conflicts however he has significantly avoided certain areas of real experiences in pursuance of dramatic plot. In this work the two dramas Tholoana tsa Sethepu and Bulane are compared to historical episodes concerning Griffith's feud of succession 1926-1939 and the installation of Seeiso as paramount chief in 1939. Khaketla is believed to have been influenced by past historical experiences when writing the texts. The historical context is considered here as a situation around which the dramas were conceived. Boulton (1960) points out that the modern dramatist generally tries to take a plot from his own head or he may show his originality by taking a well-known historical episode and handle it so as to throw new light upon it. Boulton views history as a mine of good stories and that, with imagination a playwright can create a whole play of passion and conflict out of it. This view summarizes my approach to the analysis of Khaketla's plays which are considered as products of historical experiences.
Performance assessment of technical reports as a channel of information for development
(University of Natal, 2002-01) Moshoeshoe-Chadzingwa, M. M.; Prof. Stilwell, Christine; Prof. Kaniki, Andrew M.
The study aims to assess performance of TRs as a channel of information for development in the Lesotho context. It concurrently evaluates how a specialized information unit of ISAS has performed in its obligation to devise adequate mechanisms for managing the report literature and meeting the development-related needs of users. In order to achieve that aim, the study contextualized development as a process, state, and condition and highlighted some development indicators for Lesotho. Agriculture and gender were selected as sectors of development. Global conferences, as one of the many development strategies that generate TRs heavily, were used as a benchmark. In the performance and impact assessment methodologies, case study techniques were applied with ISAS as a site and one unit of analysis. TRs on Lesotho were studied. Triangulation approaches were applied in sourcing data. The academics, information workers, government officials, NGOs and aid agencies based in Lesotho were surveyed. Research questions that guided the study centred on the productivity, distribution of TRs, their management by intermediaries, use, non-use and the effects thereon. Seven types of TRs feature in the development process, namely Academic, Project, Conference, Survey, Enquiry, Official and Special Committee Reports. TRs are produced at varying levels depending on needs and approaches to development by producers or commissioning bodies. Academic Reports are authored mostly by the academics. The Government, Aid agencies and NGOs produce widely through external consultants/experts, who utilize centres such as ISAS where commissioning bodies do not have information services. TRs productivity is high and diverse in Lesotho, but capacity to manage the output is seemingly low, and hence under-utilization results; ISAS’s out-dated mission, lack of, or limited resources and de jure national support in the form of acts and statutes affect the Institute’s TRs’ services. Production is gender biased, thus making for imbalance in reporting on development. Agriculture as a sector is heavily researched and reported about, with little or no commensurate benefits to the populace. Restricted materials are estimated at 30%, but most of the TRs are unaccounted for. Hoarding and poor records or information management leave a vacuum that leads to a duplication of previous studies and production. The study confirmed that TRs are required by all the surveyed groups. TRs are not of a transient nature even though they reach a peak of topicality and use at certain periods. Where the channel conveys factual data timeously, there are developmental benefits. Low or non-use is common where there are no specialized information services especially within the civil service. Such negative factors cause delays and infrequent currency, inadequate reporting and erroneous budgetary allocations, for example. Seemingly there is no clarity on what restricted, secret and limited materials mean. Major recommendations were made One concerned an integrated approach to managing the channel. This would involve preparing a Manual for the production of TRs which would clarify how to prepare them; for instance, the calibre of personnel/experts who should author reports, the conditions to be observed, the timeliness production, reliability of data used, and centres that would be acknowledged to then qualify for commensurate financial and other support. The other proposes that the envisaged National Research Council be given the powers to enforce the guidelines of the manual and related functions. The last recommends assigning to the documentalists for classified TRs, the role of managing classified items. Consideration should also be given to important issues raised in the study, being the role of ICTs, sectors of development to be attended to, training and networking in TRs. Further studies are also recommended mainly for the causes and effects of the closures of information services that managed TRs’ in southern Africa; longitudinal studies on the impact of non-use of technical reports in major sectors of development like Agriculture; comparative studies on the impact of specialized centres in the developed and developing countries. Further action is urged under the aegis of bodies like the Standing Conference of Eastern, Central and Southern African Librarians (SCECSAL), Standing Conference of National and University Libraries (SCONUL) and the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA).
Analysis of character portrayal of female characters in selected Sesotho literacy texts by female authors
(National University of Lesotho, 2007) Martins, Thabo Paul; Prof. Mokitimi, M. I. P.; Mr. Phafoli, L. S.
The study makes a critical analysis of portrayal of female characters in selected Sesotho contemporary texts by women authors. The study’s main thrust is to show how contemporary Basotho women writers portray female characters. The study has five chapters. Chapter one is an introduction. It gives the problem that prompted the undertaking of this study, the purpose, research question and hypotheses, review of related literature, theoretical framework, and methodology, organisation of the thesis, study scope and significance. Chapter two makes a critical analysis of how girl characters are portrayed. Explanation of terms such as characterisation and character are also provided. The names of the selected girl characters are provided. A synopsis of each text is given before discussing the characters that are present in it. Chapter three focuses on analysis of character portrayal of women. The names of the selected characters and the titles of the novel and short story books in which they are found are given. The character traits that the women characters have are also provided and analysed accordingly. Chapter four makes a critique of how the selected Basotho women authors portray female characters. The chapter is divided such we deal with the female characters as portrayed by a single author. Chapter five gives the conclusion, research findings, remarks and recommendations.
A rhetorical analysis of african unification oratory
(National University of Lesotho, 2009) Mwangi, Catherine Waithera;
This study investigates how leaders aligned with the Monrovia and Casablanca blocs attempted, between the years 1957 and 1963, to secure adherence to their views on how to achieve African unity. It analyzes the published speeches that Kwame Nkrumah, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa and Julius Nyerere delivered at the Conference of African Heads of States and Governments held in Ethiopia in May 1963 and the published speech that Robert Sobukwe delivered at the Basutoland African Congress Conference held in Basutoland in December 1957. The study utilizes elements of selected classical and modern rhetorical theories to examine the speeches. It examines the context of these speeches, the appeals in each speech, the organization of each speech and the style of each speech. It also compares and contrasts the appeals, organization and style in these speeches. The study finds that these speeches rely on logical, pathetic and ethical proof for persuasiveness as well as on style and organization. The study also finds that these speeches are inspired by earlier Pan-Africanist literature as well as by English Literature.
Analysis of the language techniques and thematic Aspects of the Basotho accordion music
(University of Free State, 2009-12) Phafoli, Lehlohonolo; Rofessor Moleleki, Mohlomi
by the functionalist perspective, the study analyzes the Basotho accordion music over the period 1980 – 2005. Of particular importance are the various themes addressed by the verbal text that comes up in the music. Specifically, the study analyzes the language used in the composition of the songs accompanying the Basotho accordion music; the rationale behind the use of such language. The study also looks at the status of the composers or artists of the music as well as the role of their music among Basotho; and last, it looks at the reception of the Basotho accordion music by Basotho. In order to address the above purposes of the study, the qualitative method was used to interpret the songs. The population of the study was all the Basotho artists, radio presenters of the music, shop owners selling the music, street vendors and the public that listens to the music and buys it. A stratified random sampling method was used to select with the subjects of the study. A total of 100 songs were analyzed while 81 subjects were interviewed for this study. The findings of the study on the issues investigated are that, Basotho accordion music promotes or helps in the aesthetics of the Sesotho language; that it is a reservoir of rich language. The recurring themes in the music range from social, political and economic issues. The music forges patriotism among Basotho by promoting customs, norms and values of the nation. In terms of status, the artists are either illiterate or semi-literate and the music is their main means of livelihood. On the whole, most Basotho are receptive to Basotho accordion music in many different ways. The study concludes that Basotho accordion music is part of the oral traditional music of Basotho since it retains some features of oral traditional music. Accordion music is very rich in a variety of linguistic techniques common in oral traditions of Basotho. The music also reflects the lifestyle of Basotho because of its historicity and coverage of concerns of the nation.
Gendered consc iousness as watershed of masculinity: Men's journeys with manhood in Lesotho
(University of South Africa, 2011-02) Phohlo, Tlali Abel; Dr. Kotze, D.J.; Prof. Phillips, A.P.
If we govern ourselves, whose son is to govern us? : youth independence adn the 1960s in Lesotho
(Saint Louis, Missouri, 2011-05) Flessner, John Aerni; Parsons, Timothy
Sources and Application of Professional Knowledge amongst Teacher Educators
(University of Pretoria, 2011-07) Lefoka, Pulane Julia; Prof. Slabbert, Johannes; Prof. Clarke, Anthony
In Lesotho, there are no formal opportunities for professional training of teacher educators. Consequently, the majority of teacher educators have not received a training that could equip them with professional knowledge base that is foundational to any profession. Therefore the question: what are the sources and application of professional knowledge among teacher educators appeared justifiable. Arguably, the teacher educators’ professional knowledge is intricately linked to education practice. Teacher educators have to address the discrepancy between education policy and practice through the training of student teachers who, in turn, have to contribute to the quality of the Lesotho education system. An interpretivist approach was followed in undertaking this study. Data was collected through: narratives, observations of teacher educators and analysis of the curriculum and assessment documents. The unit of analysis was eight teacher educators who are based at the National University of Lesotho’s Faculty of Education. Verification of the extent to which the topic was researchable was through undertaking a pilot study with six teacher educators who were based in the department of Educational Foundations in the same faculty. The analysis of the data revealed an immersion in the teacher educators’ professional landscape provides them ample opportunities to learn from an array of experiences. They accumulated experienced-based professional knowledge relevant to their world of work as they learn to teach, construct, apply and model it in the context that is uniquely teacher education. They have learned to teach teachers mainly from existing education practices which perpetuate what already exists. They face numerous challenges; their teaching is biased towards conventional teaching techniques of a transmissive nature and to a less extent interactive techniques; construction of professional knowledge remains a complex and challenging undertaking. Opportunities to construct own teaching research-based knowledge and supervision of student research are limited. In practice teacher educators have to rethink their pedagogy. Engaging in research adopting a “self-study” approach is unavoidable. Research will enhance their professional development and the quality of the student teachers. Key words: constructing knowledge, episteme, learning, metalearning and metacognition, modelling knowledge, phronesis, practical knowledge, propositional knowledge, professional knowledge, student teacher, teacher educator.
Healing, Counselling and Anti-Retroviral Therapy
(In the Name of Jesus: Healing in the Age of HIV, 2013) Leshota, P. L.
Reading the Draft National Disability & Rehabilitation Policy in the light of Foucault�s notion of Governmentality
(African Journal of Disability, 2013) Leshota, P. L.
In the area of disability studies, models have been at the centre of debates, influencing social policies, practices and legal frameworks. The former Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in the Kingdom of Lesotho was not an exception. In its efforts to tackle issues of disability, it produced The National Disability and Rehabilitation Policy: Mainstreaming persons with disabilities into society in 2011. This policy document is rooted in the social model and seeks to address long-standing problems and challenges of people with disabilities in the Kingdom. Using ideas from Foucault, particularly the technologies and regimes of power, which work through language and practice, this article examined ways in which people with disabilities are constituted through state knowledge and government policies, and concluded that these constructions form the basis for alienation and marginalisation in society.
State intervention to revive foreign international languages in Lesotho
(Journal of Humanities, 2013) Thamae, C. G.
Church and State Relations in Lesotho: A Theological Reflection on Catholic and Reformed contributions 1833-2007
(University of the Western Cape, 2013-11) Leanya, Rethabile Benedict; Prof. Lombard, C.
The relationship between church and state in the history of the Kingdom of Lesotho is an important yet neglected study. This thesis explores how this relationship has played itself out with particular interest in contributions made by Catholic and Reformed traditions. These particular approaches to Church and State relations are of particular interest because of the closeness of both churches to the state in Lesotho during different eras and how they influenced the politics and shaped the history of Lesotho as a country. Sesotho culture and tradition versus western tradition and Christianity also comes under the microscope as investigation into the effects of Christianity and Culture. To accomplish the aims of the thesis, viz. a survey of the history of church and state from the time of King Moshoeshoe until the newest situation of an emerging democracy under the monarchy, with conclusions about the road into the future, a literature survey of Lesotho’s history from 1833-2007 has been used. The thesis also places the history of the church in Lesotho within the “mainstream history” of Lesotho as a country. A comparison of traditional approaches to church and state relationships from leading Catholic and Reformed theologians and an assessment of how they played out in the history of Lesotho if they were applied at all. Furthermore, the thesis suggests a new way in which the Church and State can work together in the future so that mistakes of the past do not hinder either party from actively staying relevant and unhindered by the other in carrying out its duties.
The Informal Sector and Human Capacity Building for Sustainable Development
(Scholarlink Resource Centre, 2014) Mots'oene, K. A.
The paper argues that with the increasing urbanization and unemployment in Maseru, the proliferation of the informal sector is visible acrossthe city, but it only serves to mitigate the severity of poverty in poor households by enabling them to meet survival needs ratherthan inducing savings that canbe translated into human capacity building through education and skills. It is through savings that people can be able to finance their development in terms of acquiring knowledge and skills critical to their wherewithal in society. The paper analyses the intricate nexus between the informal sector and human capacity building and sustainable development in Maseru, the capital city of Lesotho. The paper addresses this missing link in the literature, at the same time showing how important the informal sector can be in improving people�s lives through capacity building and eventually lead to sustainable development. Communities of Thibella, Motimposo and Sekamaneng formed the sample in this study where 120 poor households which participated in the informal sector were interviewed.The paper therefore exposes the intrinsic problems of the informal sector in Maseru for failing to make realizable changes in the lives of the urban poor population which often participates in the sector
The Morphology of the Sesotho form /-bo/ : An explanatory study
(Journal of Linguistics and Language in Education, 2014) Moloi, Francina L.; Thetso, M. L.
This paper examines the morphology of the noun in Mashami, a Tanzanian Bantu language (E62) spoken on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, and describes the various ways in which a noun may be formed. Mashami illustrates the continuing modification of the grammatical and semantic structure of the Bantu noun class system, showing that the system has become quite arbitrary and is comparable to grammatical gender systems in many languages of the world. At the same time, an underlying semantic motive is clearly operative and gets exploited in creative ways to derive new forms for the lexicon. And this creativity, based on shifting and expanding worldviews, wreaks havoc to the traditional distinction between inflection and derivation.
Exocentric Compound Neologisms Processing in Southern African Newspapers
(Hunan University, 2014) Kolobe, M.
Urbanization and Aging : The Survival of the Aged in an Urbanizing City, Maseru, Lesotho
(Scholarlink Resource Centre, 2014) Mots'oene, K. A.
The paper analyzes the elderly survival strategies in an increasingly urbanizing city of Maseru in the period 2009-2012 using the household survey conducted on poor elderly in the three urban communities of Thibella, Sekamaneng and Motimposo. It seeks to understand the impact of rapid urban growth of Maseru on the elderly and the possible range of responses to this change and poverty The analysis shows that the elderly people living in poverty have devised means of survival while a few increasingly depend on social welfare grant provided by the government to cope with poverty. Despite this good effort, more than 50 percent of the population still lives in poverty. The burden of caring for orphans particularly in female elderly headed households exposes them to more poverty. Lifting the elderly group out of poverty will require a continued growth based policy and further expansion of social services. This paper serves as a basis for policy review so that the needs of the elderly are fully addressed. Furthermore, the paper seeks to fill the existing gap in the literature on the elderly survival in Lesotho as no studies have yet been done. The paper is composed of four sections. First, it introduces urban growth and features of poverty in the context of the developing world including Lesotho. Second, it deals with the general perspectives on urbanization and its impact on the elderly in Africa. Third, it discusses the observed repercussions of urbanization on the elderly living in Maseru and their coping strategies. The fourth section presents the conclusion and suggested ways of improving the lives of the elderly living in Maseru. The paper considers the elderly as people who are aged 60 and above.
Taboos in the Upbringing of a Mosotho Child
(Journal for Folklore Studies, 2014) Thetso, M.; Qhala, T.
Teaching and Learning English at the National University of Lesotho: Challenges and Difficulties.
(Hunan University, 2014) Ekanjume-Ilongo, Beatrice
Communication by Non-Humans : The Case of the �Talking Drum� in the Bokossi Community
(US-China Foreign Language, 2014) Ekanjume, Beatrice. Ilongo.
As an aftermath of globalization and also as a response to the call of the UNESCO to preserve our languages and cultures as part of the intangible heritage for humanity, many African countries have become keenly aware of the need to document their languages and cultures. The knowledge of such cultures can fully give a strong basis to African future generations to propose better legal practices for Africans that are rooted in their own cultures. It is in line with this that the present paper seeks to document one of the traditional practices of the Bakossi people who make use of the talking drum to exchange various messages. The paper explores different usages of the talking drum by the Bakossi people and shows that it is indeed a means of communication within their community.

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