Faculty of Humanities

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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.
The analysis of parenting styles in the selected Basotho folk-tales
(National University of Lesotho, 2023-11) Mahlaka, Masetene;
Parenting is one of the sensitive and challenging processes to both parents and children. For this reason, it needs to be handled with great care. Since every society has its own ways of handling parenting, the study analyses parenting styles in the selected Basotho folktales, Mosimoli le Mosimotsane, Tselane and Molisa-oa-lipoli.The results indicate that in the folktale, Mosimoli le Mosimotsane, there are two parenting styles, which are authoritative and authoritarian parenting styles. The findings show that death punishment that ʼMamosimoli administer to Mosimoli is not acceptable. Moreover, the results state that in the folktale Mosimoli le Mosimotsane, ʼMamosimoli discriminates Mosimoli and loves Mosimotsane. There are other parenting styles reflected in the folktale Tselane. These parenting styles are permissive and neglectful parenting style while in the folktale Molisa-oa-lipoli, the parenting style discovered is negative parenting style. The results clarify that there is positive parenting where parents love, support and take care of children. However, there is also a negative parenting stylewhere the parents hate, murder, abuse and chase children away from home. Therefore, the study recommends that more studies could be conducted to educate parents on advantages and disadvantages of parenting. It will help the parents to choose positive parenting against negative parenting to protect children against all forms of abuse.
An analysis of the intricacies of political duties and obligations in light of civil disobedience
(National University of Lesotho, 2024-07) Tsooana, Khothatso Emmanuel;
The general understanding of a government is that of an artificial entity, created to escape a state of nature characterised by chaos and lawlessness, and which has been given a variety of mandates towards the people it governs. This implies that at the inception of such a government, there are a set of obligations and duties that it owes to the governed, who in turn have obligations towards the government itself. The thesis argues further that because the human person intrinsically and naturally craves for freedom, its lack thereof must be compensated through the benefits of being part of a civil state. If not, then it is more desirable to go back into the state of nature. This thesis, then, is an investigation into the intricate nature of the obligations and duties that the government and the governed have towards each other in the successful functioning of a polity. The thesis argues that the formation of a government is founded on a contractarian basis, from a social contract from which the obligations of both the government and the governed are derived. Arguing from this position, for this contract to work, both parties must abide by their obligations and duties which is the thesis’ conception of justice. An observation is made that power dynamics in the social contract between the government and its citizens are tilted in favour of the government, which has the potential to flout the terms of the contract since it controls coercive force. In the event that the government fails to fulfil its obligations and duties, thereby creating a travesty on this principle of justice, the thesis argues that the governed are under the moral imperative to abjure their obligations towards the state in an act of civil disobedience. In this light, the thesis argues that civil disobedience should be enshrined in the social contract as one of the measures to even- out the imbalance of power between the government and the citizens. Together with other measures to keep the government in check, the study argues that civil disobedience is one of thebest recourses to ensure that the shortcomings of the government are identified and promptly ameliorated. Through a comprehensive textual analysis and synthesis of literature on civil disobedience and the social contract, the thesis uses the Southern African country of Zimbabwe as a case study to demonstrate the veracity of its central arguments.
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.
The applicability of the Western social contract theory to the Sub-Saharan African political context
(National University of Lesotho, 2024-08) Mahlatsi, Monaheng Joseph;
While much of the world is constantly progressing towards economic, political and social development, Sub-Saharan Africa is generally characterized by persistent political instability that has culminated into an incessant vicious cycle of poverty, conflict and a development deficiency. Colonialism and its attendant legacy in Africa are frequently cited as the main reason why these states have failed to achieve any noticeable accumulative growth. This thesis engages this idea from a social contract perspective. From this standpoint, the thesis is premised upon two observable facts; that state formation is artificial and that no state in the world has ever progressed significantly on a foundation that is politically, socially, culturally and ideologically borrowed. On the first assumption, the thesis argues that state formation is a function of the social contract theory, wherein individuals come together to agree on the type of state they would want to live under, specifying the concomitant obligations on all parties to the contract. The thesis argues that the advent of colonialism led to the formation of a colonial state through a social contract that was deliberately designed to recognize the humanity of the colonizer as superior, and the native Africans as inferior, thereby deserving subjugation andoppression. From this dimension, the social contract that led to the formation of the colonial state was Western-based, catering only to Western interests, and not designed for the native African. On the second assumption, the thesis argues that upon attaining independence, the new African states did not take time to formulate a new social contract based on African experiences, but simply adopted the colonial social contract with minor changes. The thesis demonstrates how this has immensely contributed to the problems that currently bedevil sub- Saharan Africa. It argues for the bold claim that there is need to have a complete overhaul ofthe colonial Western-based social contract, and for the formulation of a new social contract that is founded on authentic African principles. The widely recognized African principle of Botho, is identified as a source of inspiration for the African based social contract theory. Botho’s recognition of the humanness of others is isolated as the most important foundational principle that an African based social contract theory is to be founded. The recognition of the humanness of others is argued for as inculcating principles of governance that are based on accountability and the adoption of social, political and economic principles that promote human well-being for the citizens. In particular, the thesis argues that this kind of social contract theory would be instrumental in ending the cycle of poverty and instability that currently characterizes Africa. Finally, the thesis argues for a Bothocracy, ‘a government of and for the humane’ as the best form of government that should arise from an authentic African social contract theory.
Assessing the impact of rural-urban linkages on rural economies
(National University of Lesotho, 2023-07-23) Duma, Tsitso;
Issues related to rural inaccessibility, which include low levels of information flow and poor economic performance, constitute some of the current global concerns that have prompted the establishment of international agendas such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Against this background, this study aims to assess the impact of rural-urban linkages on rural economies, specifically road and communication networks and their economic implications on thelivelihoods of Mateanong community. The research is qualitative in nature and has used interviews, open-ended questionnaires and focus group discussion as its main data collection methods. The study unearths that provision of proper rural road and communication networks enhances rural economic activities through increased market access, and also paves way for inclusive development by bridging rural-urban disparities. The findings of this study further show that lack of proper road and communication networks in Mateanong community council perpetuates issues related to poor agricultural productivity, poverty and lack of access to essential services prevailing in the area. This study concludes that rural-urban linkages promote the economic livelihoods of rural residents through enhanced accessibility, mobility and information flow. The study recommends that in order to promote rural livelihoods, the Government should enhance better funding for rural road and communication networks, develop effective project follow-up initiatives, and also prioritize performance-based tendering
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.
Basotho sex work in the light of Basotho traditional moral values
(National University of Lesotho, 2023-11-23) Tiheli, Celestina Makopano;
The purpose of this study was to interrogate sex work in Lesotho in the light of Basotho traditional moral values premised on the Relational Moral Theory. This study aimed at finding out how sex workers view sex work in consideration of the Basotho traditional moral values; and examined circumstances that lead to sex work. Basotho traditional moral values provide norms for good conduct practiced openly and proudly as part and parcel of Basotho way of life. When it comes to sex work, it is rather a recent phenomenon whose practice is covered with secrecy and obscurity in Lesotho. It is in this case that this study is aimed at conscientising and sensitising the government of Lesotho about the state of sex industry and to intervene where necessary. Of the utmost importance in the analysis, the study looked into sex workers’ views on sex work in the light of Basotho traditional moral values. Sex workers shared their opinions on sex work as far as Basotho traditional moral values are concerned, such as sex work as a slavery, sex work as dirty work and sex work as evil and sex workers’ views that support sex work. It also looked into ways and strategies that can be employed to combat sex work situation in Lesotho, for instance factors that contribute to sex workers in Lesotho such as: child-headed families which includes the death of parents and divorced parents. Abduction, lack of education, unemployment, poverty, and migrant labour are also factors. The study addressed ways and strategies to combat the sex work situation in Lesotho. The strategies have been sourced from the sex workers themselves through interviews. These include counselling sessions for sex workers, job creation workshops and subsistence farming projects for sex workers. In order to address the above intentions of the study, the study implored qualitative approach. Therefore, this approach was selected in order to understand the attitudes, beliefs and get some other important information from the participants. The study employed two sampling methods namely: purposive sampling and snowball sampling. The researcher purposely chose some new sex workers and some veterans (old sex workers) in order to get different experiences and information. The snowball sampling technique was suitable for the researcher as the population under investigation is sensitive and hidden (Browne, 2005: 1). For the collection of data, the study employed focus group discussions. A focus group is more appropriate in this study since it helped the researcher to understand how sex workers think and feel.
Biographies of Lesotho authors and music artists
(National University of Lesotho, 2016) Phafoli, Lehlohonolo;
The research on the Biographies of the Sesotho authors and music artists is lone venture of the National University of Lesotho through one member from the Department of African Languages and Literature. The National University of Lesotho granted funds to the sum of M40, 895.00 to Dr. Lehlohonolo Phafoli who became the Principal Researcher and the overseer of the whole process. The Principal Researcher worked closely with research assistants from the ten districts who coordinated and interviewed informants. The following were responsible for this mammoth task;  Mrs. Nthabiseng Koatsa  Mrs Magaret Lerotholi  Mrs Theresia Lekota  Ms Martha Seobi  Mr. Khoase Motsoafa  Mrs `Mathabelo Nkune  Mr Maloka Phamotse  Ms Nthabeleng Sekhonyana  Ms. Selimoleng Setsomi  Mr Mone Ramone The actual business was done through pre-arranged appointments which were followed by visiting areas and interviewing & recording the information from the authors and music artists. With regard to accountability, the Principal Researcher made regular financial accounting of activities that enabled the release of funds on a regular basis until the last cent. The principal researcher collected 55authors and 147 + music artists within and outside Lesotho. The biographies were transcribed, typed and edited to a certain extent, and they are currently stored in both the soft and hardcopy. In conclusion, it could be said that the exercise was a success. The hardcopies have been spiralled in a form of booklet for further proof-reading and production of final copy. The main obstacle was that the funds dried up before further activities could be completed.
Chaka in fact, in mystery, and in fiction
(National University of Lesotho, 2023-10) Thulo, Mojalefa;
The present study analyses the use of fact, mystery, and fiction as portrayed in the novel Chaka. The study employed a secondary data method for data collection and the data was collected from the documented sources. The findings of the study revealed that the factual events employed in the novel about the affairs of Chaka's life let the message of the book stay close to factual history. The fictional events are used to produce the desired effect and to suit Mofolo's purpose in writing the novel Chaka. Mofolo uses the mysterious events to overstate the factual events and to produce comic effect. All these three factors are employed to create dramatic tension, to generate intensity, and also to suit Mofolo's purpose in writing Chaka. The study concludes that not all events depicted in the novel should be taken as literal representations of facts. Instead, readers ought to recognise that certain events depicted in the novel are fictional, even bordering on the mystical.
Christian missions and healthcare in Basutoland
(National University of Lesotho, 2023-08) Khanyetsi, Bohlokoa;
The central aim of this study is to explore the history of St. Joseph’s Mission Hospital in Roma, Lesotho within the context of the larger role of Catholic Missions in the health care system of Lesotho during the colonial era. Thus, the thesis examines the origins, development, and operations of the hospital within the broader religious, political, and socio-economic context of the colonial period. This study joins broader historiography conversations on the role of the church, and missionaries in African societies, particularly scholarly points of view regarding circumstances that led to their involvement in the African health sector. When St. Joseph’s Hospital was established in 1937, it started as a small clinic but developed into a well-established hospital serving the Roma community and other neighboring communities as well. The study argues that the mission’s agenda, from its inception, was to use the hospital as a tool for converting Basotho to Catholicism. This thesis further argues that the hospital was established to fulfill the responsibilities of Holy Family Sisters and Oblates Fathers whose main goal was to offer health services as an inroad to converting patients to their Church. The study concluded that there were minimal political ambitions in the establishment and operations of the hospital during the period under review.
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.
Climate change adaptation strategies and their challenges in Lesotho
(National University of Lesotho, 2023) Moshesha, Pulane;
While most studies focus on climate adaptation strategies, very little research exists on why most strategies do not succeed hence the topic; climate change adaptation strategies and their challenges in Lesotho: the case of Makaung community in Mafeteng district. The qualitative research study is guided by the Action Theory and designed as a case study with the main goal to explore why the residents in Makaung still struggle to get used to climate change yet there were different adaptation strategies introduced in that area. The objectives of the study were; (a) to examine the causes of climate change in Lesotho, (b) to assess how climate change has affected the daily practices, (c) to investigate what strategies has Lesotho applied so far, (d) to explore the challenges to adaptation and (e) to evaluate the legal framework that support climate change adaptation…Only fifty (50) residents from the selected six villages through purposive and quota sampling were interviewed. Through observation and credibility, it was revealed that Makaung is a very dry area with no infrastructure at all which affects the implementation of different climate change adaptation strategies introduced in the area. However, all strategies significantly differed from those that were introduced in the past years. The findings show that mitigation projects were introduced by the Lesotho government in collaboration with development partners (IACOV, WFP, WAMPP and ReNOKA) as a means to prevent soil erosion by building walls across the inside of dongas and planting trees and grass in the veld but were destroyed by livestock and heavy rainfalls and extreme draughts. The residents were also taught about climate change adaptation through public gatherings and trainings, introduced key-hole gardening, food-for-work (fato-fato) and short cycled livestock but few residents applied those strategies. Most of them complained about absence of water in the area for irrigation and livestock as they already struggle with drinking water. There is also lack of law enforcement to protect the projects. The recommendation is that the government should formulate clear policies that guide the projects and enforce law on people who destroy implemented projects. Before introducing the project, project managers have to learn more about the geographical features and the culture of people in the area before implementation.
Climate-smart agriculture and food security in Lesotho
(National University of Lesotho, 2023-07-28) Tsese, Motebang;
Climate change is the main issue affecting global food security. To address the effects of climate change on agricultural production and food security, Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) has been pushed as a solution. The purpose of this study was to get an understanding of how CSA contributes to food security in the Lesotho Thaba-Tseka Urban Council. Two theories, the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework and Resilience Theory, served as the theoretical foundation for this investigation. The theories' guiding principles supported how the results were interpreted. The study used a qualitative research methodology and the interpretivist paradigm. A case study design was used, and interviews were conducted with 30 purposively sampled smallholder farmers engaging in climate-smart agriculture in Thaba-Tseka Urban Council. According to the findings, implementation of CSA methods including keyhole gardening, conservation agriculture, water collection, suitable animal housing, and training by extension service providers have a big impact on food security. The findings also showed that, despite the existence of numerous tested, workable CSA response alternatives and related polices, Lesotho does not have a CSA policy. The study concludes that CSA helps to ensure food security and suggests that Lesotho develops a CSA policy. The study recommends that smallholder farmers use CSA techniques to the greatest extent possible in order to improve agricultural productivity and raise their prospects of achieving food security
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.
The Communicative strategies, the significance, the content and the role of the performance of mangae a makoloane a basotho (basotho boy initiates’ music)
(University of the Witwatersrand, 2020) Martins, Thabo Paul; Dr. Zungu, E. B.
The study investigated the contemporary performance of mangae in order to find the communication strategies, the significance, the content and the role they perform. By rendition and style, the performance of mangae is considered as total theatre. Despite only a pure vocal performance of mangae, a consolidation of styles is blended to form a contemporary oral style of mangae. The union of styles during the performance of mangae reproduces a new trend of performance-within-performance during rendition. Traditional and modern theatrical actions are fused in, either concurrently or sporadically within the performance of the songs. The performance of mangae demonstrates a serious flexibility and turn-around by incorporating the resources from two different art spaces. In the process, it successfully strikes a balance between the two cultures; it does not totally shed off all the traditional artistic qualities while at the same time it does not fully and exclusively rely on modern-day resources. The balance that the performance of mangae strikes between the traditional and modern-day culture marks it as the popular culture of the Basotho. Thus, the contemporary performance of mangae uses popular discourse to place it within modern day popular culture of Basotho. It draws from the bank of traditional language as well as from the modern-day library and blend them to mark a contemporary art of the performance of mangae. This strength of the performance of mangae to fuse the two cultures together is important for the conservation, conformity and continuity of the culture. The topics that form the contemporary performance of mangae include industrialisation, modern politics, unemployment and social life of the contemporary Basotho. Obsolete as well as modern day terminology and expressions are used among other things to delineate the new self-identities, self-righteousness, masculine virility and heroic identities of the initiates. The performance of mangae invariably uses language, popular discourse and themes accessible both to youth and the old populace of the Basotho. It also relates to modern-day popular music, dances styles, christian liturgy and biblical stories, themes alluding to cognisance of the impact of modern-day and social media technologies to cite a few. The modern-day performance of mangae is the renowned cultural heritage of the Basotho upon which a combination of styles is presented during its presentation. Despite the complex of styles found among the Setšekha, Senotši/Sesotho and Sekaota style, the contemporary performance of mangae reproduces subjects and themes relating the social, economic, political, climatic and psychodynamic aspects of human life. It also alludes to some indigenous knowledge base of the Basotho, for example, the rain making and stopping capabilities. Thus, the performance of mangae serves as a repository of the worldview and thought of the society within which it is rendered.
A comparative analysis of breathing rates of stutterers and non-stutterers
(National University of Lesotho, 2019) Letsie, Maky; Ekanjume-Ilongo, Beatrice; Thuube, Raphael
This set out to establish whether or not there is any relationship between breathing rates and stuttering so as to propose a way forward eliminating stuttering. The observation that there is no stuttering during singing motivated the current study to assess the breathing rates of stutterers and non-stutterers both during singing and speaking. The findings of this study reveal that the two groups (stutterers and non-stutterers) use different breathing rates when singing and speaking. Therefore, the current study suggests that it is possible to reduce or eliminate stuttering through regulated breathing rates depending on the severity of the problem and the breathing pattern. The aim of the current study was to identify and assess the breathing rates of stutterers and non-stutterers to see if there is a difference so as to recommend the breathing range for stutterers. Based on the findings and observation of this study, breathing ranges are proposed for stutterers as an attempt to reduce and/or eliminate stuttering. It is the hope of the researcher that further studies will be done in this area to create more awareness in relation to the phenomenon of stuttering, as well as to provide long lasting solutions to eradicate stuttering
Confluences of Lithoko, Religious and Traditional Beliefs and Western Poetry in Modern Sesotho Poetry (Msp): An Intertextual Perspective
(University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, 2016) Maimane, K. C.; Mathonsi, N. N.; Zulu, N. S.
From an intertextual perspective, this study analyses the lithoko, religious beliefs and practices and western poetry confluences in modern Sesotho poetry. In this analysis, modern Sesotho poetry texts covering a period of seventy-nine years (79) from 1931 to 2010 have been selected. Of the utmost importance in the analysis are the intertextual manifestations in modern Sesotho poetry. These include the lithoko oralformulaic style in modern Sesotho poetry which focuses on form, structure and content. The study also looks into echoes of texts indicative of religious beliefs and practices (both local and foreign) in modern Sesotho poetry, the host-parasite relationship between Western poetry and modern Sesotho poetry, the emerging trends and the evaluation of modern Sesotho poetry in relation to its poeticness or literariness. In order to address the above intentions of the study, the qualitative library approach was employed to critically examine the identified intertextual features from the population of twelve (12) modern Sesotho poetry texts selected through both the cluster and purposive sampling techniques. The following are the findings of the study on the issues investigated: modern Sesotho poetry is an intertext as texts from lithoko Christian, traditional beliefs and practices as well as western poetry are present in it at varying levels of form structure, content and traditional images in virtually recognizable forms as Barthes (1981: 39) asserts that the literary position of any text is an intertext in which other texts are present in varying levels and more or less recognizable forms. Both proto, transitional and open forms attributed to lithoko and western poetry are present in modern Sesotho poetry. Modern Sesotho poetry has also been found to have diverse emergent trends not only in terms of structural forms but also in content and linguistic devices in the form of traditional imagery. As an intertext, modern Sesotho poetry has emerged to be poetic considering aspects of poetic function and poetic language as elements of poetry in the evaluation of its poeticness. The study concludes that modern Sesotho poetry is an intertext which is a text of convergence where the presence of the four predecessors is manifested at varying levels and in more or less recognizable forms.
The contribution of climate finance on livelihoods of agro-pastoralists in the Sebapala sub-catchment
(National University of Lesotho, 2024-07) Lesetla, Mokoa;
Climatic change and variability is a developmental issue facing the world, particularly the developing countries that sustain livelihoods through the environment. Climate change is an issue in Africa, with many agro-pastoralists dealing with its different facets from desertification, drought, land degradation and extreme weather events such as unpredictable rainfall and unforeseen temperatures. Many developing countries have benefited from climate finance initiatives to enhance development and livelihoods. Lesotho, like other developing countries, receives climate finance to enforce the development of livelihoods. However, no study has been conducted to determine the impact of climate finance on the livelihoods of the agro-pastoralists in the Sebapala sub-catchment, in Tsatsane villages, within the Tosing Community Council. The main objective of this study was to determine the impact of climate finance on the livelihoods of the agro-pastoralists in the Sebapala sub-catchment within the Tosing Community Council, Tsatsane. It has identified the kind of livelihoods that existed in the council before the inception of the project. The study further determines the impact of climate finance on agro-pastoral livelihoods and assesses the participation of agro-pastoral farmers in projects. The researcher used a mixed method case study research design to address the problem: whether the impact of climate finance on agro-pastoral livelihoods has led to a partial contribution to the socio-economic development of the community. The study reveals that agro-pastoral livelihoods, including those in Lesotho, have been dominant production systems. For instance, in sub-Saharan Africa, agro- pastoralist farmers engage in crop and livestock farming as well as non-farm activities to sustain their livelihoods. There are some challenges which the study also unpacks. These include land degradation, drought and encroachment of rangelands. They may lead to the demise of the agro- pastoral production systems. The study is intended to contribute to policy development. That is, it may inform processes of policy formulation and enactment of laws on issues of disaster management and livelihoods. Notably, the study is intended to contribute to the Sebapala Integrated Watershed Management (IWM) project considering that no evaluation has been conducted since project implementation.
Contribution of cultural tourism to the socio-economic development of Thaba-Bosiu community's livelihoods
(National University of Lesotho, 2023-08) Makuru, Tebello Ernestina;
Cultural tourism has been recognised for its significant contribution to the economies of various countries. However, there remains a lack of investigation into its role in the socio-economic development and livelihoods of communities. This study investigated why cultural tourism was struggling to improve the socio-economic conditions of the Thaba-Bosiu communities at Ha- Khoabane and Majakaneng, using the lens of Community-Based Tourism theory. The study employed a qualitative research approach. Since the qualitative technique allowed people to express themselves, the researcher was able to investigate and gain experiences and feelings revealed by participants. The data collected from primary sources were analysed using a qualitative thematic approach. The study addresses three research questions: (1) How does skills and knowledge affect cultural tourism in its efforts to improve livelihoods in Thaba-Bosiu? (2) What is the effect of cultural activities at Thaba-Bosiu on the livelihoods of the community? and (3) How do tourism policies impact cultural tourism's ability to improve the livelihoods of local people? The findings revealed that cultural tourism was not fully successful in improving the livelihoods of the Thaba-Bosiu community. It attracted cultural activities and tourists to the area creating employment opportunities but these activities were reported to be too few and far apart to sustainable improve community’s livelihoods

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