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Item Open Access The evolution of the Lesotho National Flag(National University of Lesotho, 2024) Senyane, Bohlokoa;The study analyses the evolution of the Lesotho national flag through the semiotic lens. The research is carried out with the aims to establish what each of the six colours of the Lesotho national flag versions represent. The study also aims to uncover the reasons that prompted the evolution of the national flag. Another aim is to establish the significance of the colours and the symbols of the three national flag versions. The research uses semi-structured interviews to collect data. The sample for the study is collected in three districts; Maseru, Berea and Leribe. The findings reveal that the representation of three of the colours of the national flag, blue, green and white are expressed in the national motto of Lesotho which is khotso, pula, nala. The study further finds that the interpretations of the colours which are used on the Lesotho national flags align with the global symbolism of the six colours. Among other reasons, the findings show that the evolution of the national flag of Lesotho was prompted by the change in political power. The reason influenced both the first and second evolution of the flag. The study also finds that the reasons for the evolution of the Lesotho national flag and the impact of such evolution on society align with those that influence the evolution of national flags globally. The findings reveal, among other things, that the significance of mokorotlo to the Basotho is that it shows prominence and national identity. The findings also reveal the significance of the Coat of Arms as preserving the monarchy and the tribal identities of the Basotho nation. The study recommends that further research be conducted on the Lesotho national flags to determine the criteria which were used when selecting the national flag design to use. The study also recommends that further research be carried out to determine the criteria which were used when deciding which national symbols to use on the three Lesotho national flags. Further research may also be conducted on the semiotic analysis of other flags and colours in Lesotho.Item Open Access Review of the culture of Ho khetheloa molekane (Parental choice of spouses) in Meokho ea Thabo, Liketso and Kotleloa Sehong(National University of Lesotho, 2022-08) Ncheke, Nthabiseng Grace;This research seeks to find out the significance of the culture of ho khethela molekane (parental choice of spouses) in the Basotho society. The study focuses on the rationale behind the culture of ho khethela molekane, its merits and the impact of the Western culture on the culture of ho khethela molekane. Three Sesotho novels were analysed to explore how the culture of ho khethela molekane (parental choice of spouses) is presented as a theme in Sesotho novels. The novels under study were published in different years: Meokho ea Thabo by Khaketla (1979), Liketso by Morojele (1987) and Kotleloa Sehong by Ramakhula (2005). The researcher purposively selected novels from 1979 to 2005 to find out how Sesotho authors of different times portray the culture of ho khethela molekane (parental choice of spouses). The study reveals that amongst the Basotho society, the culture of ho khethela molekane (parental choice of spouses) is practiced because it is deemed a parental duty to choose spouses for their sons and daughters, and the culture of ho khethela molekane is also practiced to preserve the cultural norms and practices of Basothosociety. Furthermore, the culture of ho khethela molekane (parental choice of spouses) has the following merits: helping in maintaining and strengthening family friendships as well as guaranteeing the unconditional support of the internal and extended family members of the married couple in Basotho society. The culture of ho khethela molekane also led to sustainable marriages. However, the study concludes that the Western culture has had a negative impact on the culture of ho khethela molekane. The factors of the Western culture that harm v the culture of ho khethela molekane are Christianity and the Western education system. Based on the conclusions drawn from the findings of this study, the researcherrecommends that more novels be published to portray the significance of the culture of ho khethela molekane (parental choice of spouses).Item Open Access Presentation of Bongaka (Indigenous medical practices) in Chaka by Mofolo, Meokho ea Thabo by Khaketla and Molahluoa by Tsasanyane-Ralengau(National University of Lesotho, 2022-08-31) Makhetha, Sefora;The study analyses the presentation of bongaka in the selected Sesotho texts. The purpose of this study is to investigate the presentation of bongaka (indigenous medical practices), the procedures used in administering bongaka as well as the perceptions of characters about bongaka in Chaka, Meokho ea Thabo and Molahluoa. The study is qualitative in nature. It employed documents as a method of data collection and used purposive sampling method. Data has been analysed thematically using Afrocentricity theory. The following aspects, centrality or location and relocation have been used to examine the presentation of bongaka. The study discovers that the characters use bongaka for their health needs and personal problems. Diseases are also cured, and personal problems are solved. The study reveals that lingaka are presented carrying apparatus such as fly-whisk. They dress in their own way, which identifies them from other members of the society. They wear hats made of animal skins. Moreover, the efficacy of their services is visible. They use various methods of treatment that include divination to cure ailments and in addressing a patientʼs needs. They give instructions regarding the use of traditional medicine. Other characters believe that lingaka can cure their ailments and solve their problems. Lingaka are also presented as knowledgeable people. The study recommends that lingaka should be supported and acknowledged for their workItem Open Access "Lived poverty" in Lesotho(National University of Lesotho, 2023-08-04) Letsie, Lengau;Poverty is a multifaceted phenomenon that can be studied from different perspectives and this study used the ‘lived poverty’ index to study poverty. The purpose behind the study was to investigate the extent of ‘lived poverty’ in Lesotho as well as assessing the contribution of conditional cash transfers to alleviating it in Qibing, Mafeteng. The study used sequential explanatory mixed methods to collect data with quantitative data sourced from the Afrobarometer round 8 survey. Qualitative data was collected through key informant interviews and focus group discussions from a sample of 12 participants that was selected through purposive sampling. While quantitative data was analysed using SPSS 16.0, Qualitative data was analysed using Atlas.ti. using thematic analysis. The study’s findings showed that Lesotho has a significant amount of ‘lived poverty’ with income poverty, water insecurity, and food insecurity being the most rampant components concentrated in rural areas and affecting mostly females than males. The findings further revealed that conditional cash transfers contributed to ‘lived poverty’ alleviation by addressing two components, income poverty and food insecurity providing beneficiaries with stipends and training beneficiaries on food preservation. The study recommends that the government and NGOs come up with projects that aim to alleviate ‘lived poverty’ in rural areas targeting most females.Item Open Access The review of "Moetlo oa Lefu"death ritual on the bereaved Basotho women(National University of Lesotho, 2022-08) Maduna, Manthabile Cecilia;This study reviews moetlo oa lefu “death ritual” on the bereaved Basotho women using the African Feminism and Functionalism theories. The study selected some rural and urban villages in Leribe and Botha-Bothe districts in Lesotho. Data for the study was collected through semi-structured interviews. The study findings have revealed that moetlo oa lefu has a certain significance to the Basotho as a whole. The study has found that amongst others, moetlo oa lefu is used as an official confirmation about the passing on of a person; it allows the society to offer support to the bereaved and is used to integrate members of the bereaved back into the society. Although moetlo oa lefu is significant to the Basotho, the study has also found that it also has some psychological and economic impact on the bereaved Basotho women as the main mourners. Under the economic challenges, the study has found that the bereaved Basotho women have to renovate the mourning house for the arrival of the corpse, incur increased financial responsibilities, loss of property andincome. Societal and familial expectations force the bereaved Basotho women to overspend. On the psychological impact of moetlo oa lefu on the bereaved Basotho women, the study has found that the bereaved Basotho women are discriminated by some members of the society. The bereaved Basotho women also suffer from social phobia, depression, trauma and anxiety disorders. The study has recommended that issues related to mourning have to be discussed thoroughly during family gatherings rather than at funerals to reach a consensus in vii a relaxed manner. It has even recommended that the Government of Lesotho through the relevant stakeholders, should engage in programmes that reinforce the well-being of the bereaved Basotho women.Item Open Access Moshoeshoe II and struggle against constitutional Monarchy, 1960-1970(National University of Lesotho, 2019) Selebalo, Mahahabe;The goal of this study is to document Moshoeshoe II‟s struggle against constitutional monarchy in the period 1960-1970, during which he struggled to find a satisfactory position in both the pre and post-independence constitutions. The first decade of his reign was marked by his attempts to fight against Lesotho becoming a constitutional monarchy. In addressing this issue the study relied on primary sources that include oral interviews with those closest to Moshoeshoe II and members of political parties who were active in the 1960‟s. The study also relied on archival material like proceedings of the Basutoland National Council, press releases of the Government of Lesotho and newspaper articles. This study demonstrated that the concept of constitutional monarchy in Lesotho originated in the 1950‟s. This was a period of great political and constitutional development. The study identified five factors which influenced the beginning of constitutional monarchy in Lesotho. The development of three political parties in the 1950‟s was one of the first indicators that Lesotho was heading towards constitutional monarchy because they represented alternative leadership to the Paramount Chieftainship. During this period administrative reforms were also introduced which greatly undermined the power of the Paramount Chieftainship. Britishconcern over native administration in Basutoland led to the formation of the Administrative Reforms Committee which was formed to investigate native administration and make recommendations. The exclusion of the Legislative Council from the report of the committee led to the Basutoland National Council demanding legislative powers. This demand for legislative power by the Council became another indicator that Lesotho was heading for constitutional monarchy. The regent Paramount hieftainess ‟Mant e o eeiso did not do much during this time to fight for the power of the Paramount Chieftainship. When Moshoeshoe II became Paramount Chief in 1960, he had to perform his duties as dictated by the constitution. A situation he was unwilling to accept.Moshoeshoe II‟s early life and education had a great impact on his struggle against constitutional monarchy. He was a product of a polygamous family and was brought up by his step mother the regent Paramount hieftainess ‟Mantse o and his own mother ‟Ma ereng. The two had completely different views of how he was to e raised and clashed often. The installation of Moshoeshoe II to the Paramount Chieftainship was surrounded by much controversy. The regent Paramount Chief and her advisors wanted his installation delayed until he completed his studies at Oxford ut his mother ‟Ma ereng fought for his immediate installation with the help of some of his uncles and the leader of the Marema-Tlou Party Seepheephe S. Matete. After much struggle he was eventually installed to the Paramount Chieftainship on the 12th March 1960. The key players in his installation became key players in his struggle against constitutional monarchy. The main player being Chief Leabua Jonathan who had served as one of the advisors of the Paramount Chieftainess but had resigned and went on to form the Basutoland National Party, a party that led Lesotho into independence. By the time Moshoeshoe II was installed as the Paramount Chief the country had undergonepolitical and constitutional reforms that made it difficult for him to change the position of the Paramount Chief in the Constitution. Soon after his installation in 1960 Moshoeshoe II embarked on a series of activities in an attempt to change the constitutional position of the Paramount Chieftainship. He had to rely on the approval of the National Council, which had become a Legislative Council, to have the constitution amended. This presented a challenge because at that time the Paramount Chief could only nominate fourteen members to the Legislative Council and forty out of the eighty members of the Legislative Council were commoners who were members by virtue of the District Council elections. In 1962, two years after his installation to the Paramount Chieftainship, Moshoeshoe II set up a Constitutional Commission with the aim of finding out the view of the people on the kind of constitutionhey wanted for independent Lesotho. The people who made up the commission were mostly members of political parties who had their own views on the constitutional future of Lesotho and the monarchy in particular. When the Commission published its report, it was with the recommendation that the Paramount Chief in Lesotho should have powers similar to those of the British monarch. Two constitutional conferences were held in London following the publication of the report, the first one was in 1964 and it was followed by the 1966 Constitutional Conference. Both these conferences enforced the recommendation of the Constitutional Commission to give the Paramount Chief limited power in government. Despite Moshoeshoe II‟s attempts to fight against Lesotho ecoming a constitutional monarch, on the 4th of October 1966 Lesotho gained her independence and Moshoeshoe II became a constitutional monarch. Moshoeshoe II continued with his struggle even after independence leading to a confrontation between him and Prime Minister Leabua Jonathan. The overall conclusion is that after independence, the Prime Minister used the College of Chiefs and the Senate to bring Moshoeshoe II under the control of government. He also introduced laws like the Chieftainship Act 1968, which made it impossible for the chiefs tosupport Moshoeshoe II in his struggle against constitutional monarchy. Moshoeshoe II‟s struggle against constitutional monarchy ended in 1970 when Prime Minister Leabua Jonathan declared a State of Emergency and suspended the constitution.Item Open Access Analysis of a Sesotho verb phrase(National University of Lesotho, 2024) Lepheana, Tseliso Emmanuel;This qualitative study employs the mixture of the X-bar and RTM theories to analyse a Sesotho VP. The previous academics concentrated on different linguistic features and dimensions, in various languages. Their studies are also limited to the syntactic rule representation of a VP. This study has discovered that the concept of VP is ambiguous to Sesotho learners, teachers, and linguists studying Sesotho language. The study also discovers that the Sesotho VP’s unclear structure, which consists of multiple components, is a cause of this ambiguity. This study, therefore, aims to uncover the Sesotho VP syntactic structure, the constituents it carries, its grammatical functions, as well as the resolutions to its syntactic ambiguity in sentences. The findings of this study disclosed various Sesotho VP syntactic structures, such as V, V + AdvP + QualP, V + NP, V + PP, V + AdvP + AdvP, V + NP + QualP + QualP + AdvP, and V + AdvP. The grammatical functions of the Sesotho VP were revealed as; functioning as the predicate of the sentence, as the complement of a VP, and as the complement of the qualificative, which includes the AdjQual, RelQual, InterQual, as well as POSSQual. Furthermore, disambiguation mechanisms such as the principle of modification, the use of punctuationformal signal), and the change of word order principles, were identified as the strategies used to resolve the Sesotho VP syntactic ambiguity.Item Open Access A qual-quantitative exploration of translanguaging impact of ESL teachers and learners' performance in three selected primary schools in Quthing District(National University of Lesotho, 2025-07) Tapole, Tsepo Emmanuel;This study offers insights into the impact of translanguaging on English Second Language (ESL) teaching and learning with the aim of enhancing performance in ESL. The impact of translanguaging is focused on teachers and on the learners in diverse bi-multilingual classroom contexts in Quthing district in Lesotho. Translanguaging strategies are explored to indicate the manner in which teachers and learners can employ them in enhancing ESL teaching and learning academic content, interactive skills and communicative competences. The study reports on the dimensions of translanguaging phenomenon, their impact on the teaching and learning of ESL and it also examines the views about the effects of translanguaging on ESL teachers and learners’ performance in the selected primary schools of the Quthing district. The reports are based on the motivation and urge to curb the problem of learners’ poor performance in ESL in a diverse linguistic context in Quthing district. Drawing upon traditions of social constructivist theory and ethnographic enquiry about a phenomenon such as translanguaging, this study adopts a qual-quantitative comparative case study approach. Through translanguaging lens, Cummins’s (2000) Dual Iceberg theoretical framework is juxtaposed with translanguaging pedagogical strategies. This theoretical framework bears reference to Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills (BICS) in L1 and Cognitive/Academic Linguistic Proficiency (CALP) in L2. A total of 194 learners from the three selected schools participated in the study. Using purposive sampling, the researcher conducted a total of 24 interviews with 3 teachers and 18 learners who formed 3 focus groups. All classroom observations from three primary schools were video recorded. Qualitative and quantitative data were analysed thematically and numerically. Constant Comparative Method (CCM), Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) as well as Conversational Analysis (CA) were used for data analysis. The findings reveal that there are four dimensions of translanguaging phenomenon in three selected primary schools in the Quthing district. These are instructional foundations, collaborative work, multilingual ecology and translanguaging resources. However, instructional foundations ought to be planned strategically to enhance ESL teaching, learning and performance. Moreover, teachers and learners viewed translanguaging as a potential and alternative pedagogical strategy for ESL learning, teaching and improved performance for intermediate /emergent bi-multilingual learners in diverse educational classrooms. The study recommends for a contextualised, relevant, responsive and linguistically sensitive curriculum and syllabi that nurture “Ubuntu translanguaging” to enhance ESL performance in bi-multilingual settings. Specifically, the study recommends the implementation of the 10th amendment Act with regard to minority languages in Lesotho in line with Lesotho Education Language Policy (LELP) that is inclusive of indigenous languages such as IsiPhuthi and IsiXhosa in the Quthing district.Item Open Access History of aggregate mining in Lesotho, 1967-2022(National University of Lesotho, 2024-07) Mokoena, Ithabeleng;Owing to the ever-increasing importance, particularly in public and private construction, the global demand for aggregates has been increasing. The extraction of sand and gravel, however, has had adverse environmental consequences in the global south. In this light, this study examines the history of aggregate mining in Lesotho between 1967 and 2022. It explores the evolution of the policy framework that governed aggregate extraction and the socio-economic and environmental imperatives that shaped these policies. Moreover, the study examines the interface between state policy and communal responses and initiatives within an evolving socio-economic and environmental background. Using archival records and oral sources, this study will explore the intersection of economic and environmental issues as they shaped aggregate mining from a historical perspective. It draws from and seeks to join the growing historiographical conversations on the environmental history of Southern Africa and the imperatives, particularly those studies that unpack the link between economic development, rural livelihoods and environmental sustainability. In the main, this study argues that, notwithstanding the espousal of environmentally sensitive policies to govern the two industries over time, aggregate mining continued to have an adverse environmental impact due to an overriding need by communities to sustain theirivelihoods, hence the proliferation of an illegal but thriving industry during the period under review.Item Open Access Medicinal cannabis cultivation and rural lielihoods in Bela-Bela, Berea, Lesotho(National University of Lesotho, 2024-07) Lenkoe, Tsepiso Albertina;Traditional marijuana cultivators have been largely affected by cannabis legalization. The main issue is centered on the fact that legalisation of medicinal marijuana in Lesotho came with raised expectations that it would create opportunities for small illegal growers to enter the legal market and benefit from it. However, In Lesotho illegal marijuana growers have continued to be marginalised and the widespread growth linkages that were anticipated have not accrued. This dissertation presents the study findings on the impacts of medical cannabis cultivation on rural livelihoods in Bela-Bela. The research employs a qualitative approach, incorporating data collected through surveys, interviews and field observations. The study concludes that due to a lack of other options for employment, traditional marijuana producers in Bela-Bela mostly rely on the production of cannabis. These local growers have not reaped significant benefits from the medical cannabis operation, despite it creating some jobs. Rather, it has brought about economic challenges such as land loss and insufficient payment, which has made their food and economic security worse. The community's experiences and opinions regarding the Verve Dynamics project were investigated through the use of the qualitative research method in this study. Additionally, the study collected data using primary and secondary sources. The data collection approaches employed in this study included face-to-face interviews, focus groups, and interview schedules with open-ended questions. The researcher was able to choose and sample the 24 study participants in order to represent Bela-Bela community with its distinct clusters by using stratified and purposive sampling approaches.Item Open Access Women's domestic work and its implications on their informal enterprises(National University of Lesotho, 2024-08-16) Nkhabanyane, Mahene;Globally, women’s gender roles are a barrier to women’s participation in economic activities. Against this background, this study assesses how women’s domestic work impact their informal enterprises in Hlotse. The study used qualitative research methods to collect data, specifically interviews, which involved fifteen participants and open-ended questionnaires for twenty-five participants. The study found that a combination of limited time, restricted access to resources, and societal norms place significant barriers on women in handcraft businesses, limit women’s potential to participate in handcrafts businesses. Women have restricted hours to dedicate to their businesses due to the demands of childcare, this limitation is a barrier to productivity, it reduces women’s ability to fully engage in handcraft businesses and opportunities for the growth of the business. The study concludes that women’s participation handcraft businesses is largely limited by domestic responsibilities such as housework and childcare. The study therefore recommends that the policy makers should implement policies with a focus on women in handcraft businesses to address barriers they face in trying to balance between domestic work and handcraft businessesItem Open Access Morphosyntactic variation of tenses in students'academic texts(National University of Lesotho, 2024-07) Ntlhaba, Mamotena;This study set out to explore the morphosyntactic variation of tenses in students’ academic texts at the target higher-learning institution in Lesotho. Premised on the qualitative paradigm, the study used the sociolinguistic interviews and documentary sources as data collection methods in order to answer the research questions and achieve the research objectives. Drawing from the methodology, findings and evaluation sections datasets of the academic texts, the study revealed the systematic and salient use of the simple past tense over the simple present tense. Further, the study found the sporadic use of the present perfect tense. Based on the findings, the study concludes that while morphosyntactic variation particularly on tenses, has been noted across the texts, the phenomenon seems to pose some challenges on the clarity and objective of the texts thus necessitating measures such as a need for contextualised learning of tenses. Thus, this study could contribute towards the corpus of morphosyntactic studies.Item Open Access An Investigation of multilingual translanguaging in digital communication(National University of Lesotho, 2024-07) Moleleki, Lieketseng;This study sought to investigate the linguistic features of multilingual translanguaging practices of university students in Lesotho within their Facebook group pages. The two theoretical frameworks that guided the study were digital discourse analysis and translanguaging as theory and practice. The study employed a qualitative methodology to investigate and evaluate the language pattern using content analyses, in which information was studied, debated, and understood in terms of themes. Three university students’ Facebook sites provided data collecting platform for digital ethnography. From these pages, 60 communicative messages were sampled, with 20 texts per Facebook group page. The results showed that in their digital communication, students often display their linguistic repertoire by code-switching, code- mixing, and code-mashing Sesotho with English, isiZulu, isiXhosa, and Afrikaans for special emphasis. Different forms of translanguaging, such as intra-sentential and inter-sentential translanguaging, were produced by alternating inside sentences. The transition frequently fits in with the conversation’s subject, the relationship between participants, and the target audience. This transition reflects several translanguaging strategies like borrowing, language crossing and convergence among others, which are achieved by them not adhering to the traditional or codified language rules. The study provides insights into pedagogical strategies that can support multilingual learners, promoting inclusivity and better educational outcomes in diverse linguistic contexts. Since it emphasises the importance of recognizing students’ full linguistic repertoires in academic settingItem Open Access The semantic effects of causative verbal extensions on Sesotho verbs and sentences(National University of Lesotho, 2024) Ratsiu, Thabiso;This qualitative study employs the Image Theory of Meaning (ITM) to investigate the effects of the causative verbal extensions on Sesotho verbs and sentences. It aims to unveil the strategies that can be used to overcome these effects. The data in the form of sentences that contain causative verbs used for analysis in this study were derived from both the primary sources and the literary selected linguistic Sesotho texts. The study observes that the effects of the causative verbal extensions include ambiguity in Sesotho verbs and sentences, which leads to communication problems such as misinformation and confusion, resultant in communication breakdown between the speaker and hearer. The current study has also unveiled the possible ways in which the focal effects can be avoided for effective communication among the Sesotho speakers. The study concludes that, context consideration and the avoidance of the use of causative morphemes may bring an end to the linguistic effects caused by the use of the causative morphemes on verbs in Sesotho sentences.Item Open Access Reskol Diamond Mining (PTY) LTD, mining in Kolo, Lesotho, 1991-2022(National University of Lesotho, 2024-07) Ts'ele, Rorisang;The role of private capital in natural resource extraction and economic development in the Global South has attracted significant debate among scholars and development practitioners. In this light, there has also been debate surrounding the Reskol Diamond Mining in Kolo-Mafeteng in Lesotho, due to worries about job possibilities, environmental degradation, and insufficient corporate social responsibility initiatives. There are also problems with the company's compensation and relocation of impacted homes, in addition to the exhumation of ancestral graves. Against this background, this dissertation critically examines the history of diamond mining in Lesotho, using the case of Reskol Diamond Mining in Kolo-Mafeteng in Lesotho, within the context of development or dispossession. Using historical records, legal sources, life histories, and secondary sources, this dissertation examines the nature of the government collusion in the mining of diamonds and its impact on the livelihoods of local communities over time. In this way, it draws from and seeks to contribute to ongoing scholarly debates on resource curse and nationalism against the background of the question of development or dispossession. Although the discovery of diamonds was initially viewed as an economic blessing for Basotho, the activities of Reskol Mining Company proved otherwise, due to the accompanying dispossession, largely manifested in environmentalchallenges, lack of Corporate Social Responsibility, exhumation of the dead, and absence of economic empowerment, among others. Therefore, the dissertation examined Reskol's failures, which are often denied or concealed even by the government who always acted in collusion with the company. It is expected that the findings of this dissertation will bring about further research into accountability and transparency in natural resource management in Lesotho and other African countries.Item Open Access Feminine impact of water scarcity on rural livelihoods(National University of Lesotho, 2024-08-18) Mpatlise, Refuoe;Water scarcity is a pressing issue in most developing countries where water resources are scarce with little support from the government. This study intended to investigate the feminine impact of water scarcity on rural livelihoods with specific focus on Majapereng Electoral Division. In order to gain in-depth insights into the subject matter, the study employed the qualitative research methodology. The findings of the study revealed that women participate in livelihood activities such as agriculture, livestock production and brewing traditional beer. Women have experienced a decline in agriculture, poor livestock production including low quality of wool, mohair, and meat as a result of the of water scarcity in Majapereng Electoral Division. The government, non- governmental organisations and the communities within Majapereng Electoral Division have adopted innovative strategies such as water harvesting, installation of solar powered community taps and construction of community dams to address water scarcity incidence in Majapereng Electoral Division. The study concludes that ensuring water availability and accessibility to women reduces the disproportionate burden placed on women and sustains their livelihoods. The study recommends collaboration between the Ministry of Gender, Youth and Social Development to address policies related to the Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) andincorporate gender in all stages of policyItem Open Access The socio-economic impact of COVID-19 on workers and managers of accommodation facilities in Maseru urban(National University of Lesotho, 2023-09) Matjelo, Mothala Joyce;The COVID-19 pandemic outbreak remains a significant issue for the world’s economies and societies. Since its inception, its dire consequences were seen in various sectors, particularly in the tourism accommodation facilities. As such, this study’s findings are premised on the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19, and the strategies that were deployed both during and post that era. The data collected from the accommodation facilities in Maseru urban was analysed using the qualitative thematic approach. The findings therefore revealed that COVID-19 widened the societal strata gap, which became visible in employability, thus leading to the aggravated stress levels. The study concluded that this health crisis paved way to hospitality industry’s economic meltdown, which manifested in drop of sales and low room occupancy. The study further established that socially, retrenchments caused the workers and managers a lot of stress, thus increasing the workloads for those that continued serving in those businesses. The study further recommends that financial and taxation policies should be amended to resuscitate the economy of the hospitality sector.Item Open Access Exploring grammatical cohesion in Grade 10 learners' academic texts at two selected schools in Maseru(National University of Lesotho, 2024-08) Chere, Matseliso Mary;Writing practices in academic texts have piqued the interest of academics worldwide. Educators teaching English as a second language (ESL) have endeavoured to address writing difficulties their learners encounter. However, not much attention has been drawn to cohesion in writing in Lesotho. This study aimed to investigate grammatical cohesion in Grade 10 learners’ academic texts at two selected schools in Maseru. Based on the qualitative research design, the study adopted semi-structured interviews, diagnostic tests and documentary sources for data collection to achieve the overarching aim of the study. The study has, therefore, identified various cohesive devices used by students, such as references and conjunctions. Specifically, using the aforementioned instruments to collect oral and written data from the target participants, this study discovered that personal references were the most frequently used types of references and additive conjunctions were also often employed by students from both schools. The usages identified include systematic salient patterns of redundant, missing, misused cohesive devices and zero articles by the participating students. This study, therefore, concludes by highlighting the challenges faced by learners with regard to cohesion and coherence in academic writing, thus calling for language practitioners in high schools in Lesotho to reconsider their approaches to teaching cohesive devices for enhancing students’ writing practicesItem Open Access 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.Item Open Access 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.