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Item 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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.Item Promoting gender participation in wool and mohair industry in Lesotho(National University of Lesotho, 2024) Moeketsi, Tlalane;This study investigated the role of wool and mohair industry in promoting gender participation in the industry. The aim was to understand the extent and nature of male and female involvement, exploring the stages of participation, livelihood improvement, policies and initiatives and the relationship between the demographic attributes and stages of participation, livelihood improvement, policies and initiatives. Qualitative data was collected using one on one interviews with ten key informants and the results were used to inform the quantitative data collection from one hundred and twenty LNWMGA wool and mohair growers from Semonkong. Findings revealed significant gender disparities suggesting that wool and mohair industry had limit effect in promoting equal gender participation as women’s participation was limited by societal expectations and domestic responsibilities, and cultural norms, perceived expertise and lack of policies which favoured men in leadership roles, resulting in male dominance. The majority of growers (82.5%) confirmed men participate more while women’s participation was (16.7%). The chi square test was also used to determine the association between wool and mohair growers’ demographics and participation. The findings revealed that there is no association between the variables (equal participation, stages of participation, livelihood improvement and policies and initiatives) with gender, age, marital status and education. While, livelihood improvement, policies and stages of participation had the significant association with age and education. The wool and mohair industry does not promote gender participation especially equal participation.Item The impact of the language barrier on Lesotho democracy(National University of Lesotho, 2023-10) Mosotho, Makananelo;Regular multi-party elections are crucial in a democratic system, where an engaged and participatory citizenry is a hallmark of a thriving democracy. The current study aimed to investigate the impact of using mainly Sesotho as well as English during the 2022 Lesotho general elections on the participation of minority language speakers who do not fully understand both languages. To carry out this aim, a qualitative method was employed. Interviews were conducted with residents of Quthing and IEC officials, and a stratified random sample of 60 participants was selected from Basotho, Baphuthi, and Xhozas living in Quthing, as well as IEC officials. Stratified random sampling allowed for the representation of all ethnic groups in Quthing and IEC officials. Convenient sampling was also employed to select participants from the subgroups formed in stratified sampling as it provided readily available sources of data. To determine the effect of using mainly Sesotho as well as English on the participation of minority language speakers in the 2022 national elections, this study utilized the Critical theory along with the Sociological, Psychosocial, and Rational Choice models of voting behavior. The majority of the data was analyzed thematically. The results revealed that the use of mainly Sesotho as the main language during the 2022 national elections hindered the participation of minority language speakers who did not fully understand Sesotho. It became evident that some individuals who spoke minority languages were hesitant to bring language assistants with them to the voting booths because they were afraid that their choice would not remain confidential. Others chose not to vote altogether, and one of the reasons for this was that they avoided activities that required them to communicate in Sesotho, as they disliked using this language. Additionally, some minority language speakers cast their votes with little knowledge about the elections because the use of Sesotho made information about the elections difficult to access. Incompetence in Sesotho also resulted in some people failing to persuade other members of their party to elect them to certain leadership positions within the party. Furthermore, the language barrier hindered minority language speakers from effectively communicating their needs to politicians who manage the resources of the country, which resulted in the needs of these communities remaining unaddressed. The study suggests that the government of Lesotho should revise its election laws to include all indigenous minority languages spoken in the country. Additionally, the government should invest in creating linguistically accessible materials to ensure everyone can participate equally in elections. It is also recommended that the government should increase the representation of minority language speakers in parliament to encourage their engagement in the electoral process. Finally, Basotho should be encouraged to learn minority languages available in the country to improve inclusivity and eliminate the exclusion of individuals who speak minority languages in all national contexts.Item 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.Item Revisiting the role of neighbours as reflected in the selected Sesotho drama texts(National University of Lesotho, 2024-08) Lekhooa, Lydia;The study investigates the role of neighbours portrayed in the selected Sesotho drama books, written by Mahalefele (1993), Mokete (1997) and Khaketla (1954). This qualitative study seeks to investigate the significant societal concerns that are portrayed in the selected literary works within the Functionalism Theory. The situations include emotional abuse, child abuse, and family negligence. The results show that neighbours, motivated by a desire to lend a hand and offer social support, are important players in stepping in during these trying times. Their efforts to increase awareness and provide affected families with hope define their engagement. The study also reveals that the positive effects of these treatments include lowering the victims’ stress levels, helping them to overcome obstacles more successfully and encouraging positive habits in the community. The positive impacts also involve reduced stress, success and positive behaviour. However, the study also notes adverse effects resulting from neighbourly initiatives. The negative impacts of neighbourly interventions comprise forced marriages and teenage pregnancies, which might result from cultural pressures or misunderstandings of support. Further, this study emphasises the difficult relationships that exist between family struggles and the networks of support in the community within the framework of selected Sesotho drama texts.Item The role of Baylor and partner healthcare providers in Qacha’s Nek, Lesotho(National University of Lesotho, 2024-08) Thamae, Mpepuoa;Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) have been instrumental in filling the gaps caused by inadequate governmental funding and bad governance, especially in developing nations' healthcare systems. Despite obstacles including scarce resources and a labor shortage, they have developed into important suppliers of healthcare services in rural and underserved areas since the 1970s. Through creative and collaborative approaches, they have improved healthcare outcomes and access; made a substantial contribution to the advancement of rural development and healthcare, but they are nevertheless confronted with challenges including staff fatigue and scarce finance. This study investigates the efforts of Baylor and its partners to enhance healthcare outcomes through training programs, community engagement, and the recruitment and retention of rural health workers. Using purposive sampling, focus group discussions and individual interviews were conducted with healthcare professionals, community leaders, and lay counsellors in Qacha's Nek. Despite challenges like staff pressure and limited funding, the findings indicate that NGOs have made significant contributions to healthcare and rural development. The study concludes that NGOs play a vital role in addressing healthcare gaps and supporting sustainable rural development. The Lesotho government is advised to invest in technological innovations like the E-register and mobile applications for climate and agriculture, expand training programs to include economic development skills, increase funding for the recruitment of health workers, and strengthen community engagement through partnerships with local leaders and organizations to address these issues. Improving rural healthcare and development results would be made more integrated and efficient if government policies were in line with these recommendations.Item Towards a reconstruction of some aspects of the environmental History of the South-Sotho communities in the Sourthen Highveld, 1500-1800(National University of Lesotho, 2024-07) Mahao, Liako;Some aspects of the Environmental History of Sotho speaking communities in the Southern Highveld between 1500-1800 have not been well documented. So far, the main focus of existing literature of these groups is on the socio-political and economic history. There is less attention on their interaction with environment during this period. This study reconstructs some aspects of the Environmental History of these Sotho-speaking groups to examine their nature of their interaction with the environment. The study argues that the environment influenced their migration pattern, economic formations, political organisation as well as their belief systems. The study used available records and literature to carry out this research. The findings reveal that these communities were strategic and intentional about their choice of settlements. They selected landscapes that ecologically supported their trade patterns and survival. Political and socio- cultural forms were embedded and interwoven with their environment, with a strive to attain a degree of mutually reciprocity and sustainability. Not much was always in their control; conditions of ecological catastrophe and depletion often led to scarcity, poverty and internal conflicts that often bred secessions of various formsItem 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.Item Matriarchy, kingship institution and the question of succession in Lesotho(National University of Lesotho, 2024-07) Semuli, Ntefeleng;Lesotho’s royal system, a distinct cultural and historical phenomenon, faces several difficulties today, especially regarding succession by women. Using the example of Princess Senate Gabasheane Masupha, a well-known royal family member, this study investigates the organisation’s function, importance, and succession dilemma. By employing a qualitative research methodology that integrates interviews, archival research, and literature analysis, this study unveils the intricate relationship between culture, tradition, gender, and power in determining the institution’s course. The results emphasise the need for creative strategies to deal with succession concerns as well as the necessity for a comprehensive knowledge of the genesis of the matriarchy kingship institution and its current relevance. This study adds to the current conversations in Lesotho and elsewhere on gender, culture, and leadership by providing information for academics, legislators and cultural guardiansItem Femicide reflections in some selected literary Sesoto texts(National University of Lesotho, 2021) Phamotse, Maloka;ABSTRACT The study is about femicide reflections in some selected Sesotho literary texts. The main focus is to unpack how issues of femicide are mirrored in the selected literary texts and how such images of femicide in literature paint a picture that communicates back to society. On top of that, the study discusses the moral lessons that come as a result of images of femicide in the selected texts. To achieve the intended aim, the study is divided into five chapters. The chapter is an introduction and it contains the background and contextualisation of the study, the problem that prompted the carrying out of the study, the main question, its subsidiary questions, and their hypotheses. The significance of the study, the scope of the study, and the review of related literature are also part of this chapter. On top of that, the chapter contains the theoretical framework that guides the research, the methodology section, and lastly the organization of the study. Chapter two is the synopses of the selected texts and reflections of non-physical femicide. The first section deals with the synopses and the second section with the reflections of non-physical femicide in the selected texts. The discussions of non-physical femicide are categorised to make it easier for the reader to follow. Chapter three is the analysis of physical femicide as reflected in the selected texts. To make it easier to reflect the forms and the nature of physical femicide the chapter is divided into subsections that help to unpack issues of physical femicide in the selected texts. Chapter four focuses on the reflections of moral lessons from both the non-physical and physical femicide discussions. That is, the chapter shows the moral lessons that the reflections of issues of femicide as discussed in chapters one andtwo could bring to society. The last chapter is chapter five which gives the conclusions and recommendations.