NEWSLETTERLesotho by Cindy Easterday |
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The Lesotho Network Welcomes New Coordinator, Ntate TMS Letela Following the departure of Lekhetho Phakisi as Coordinator of the Network in late January, the Executive Committee assigned a committee to pursue the process of finding a new program Coordinator. The result: the acceptance of an offer to Ntate Thabang (TMS) Letela to take on this critical function in April 2007. We welcome him not only to the Lesotho Network but also to the wider Joining Hands program! |
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Links: Profile JH partner network Kopano ke Matla Toant'song ea Bofuma |
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From the district of Berea, north of the capital city of Maseru,Thabang, commonly known as TMS, grew up and attended primary school in Sefikeng. Like most Basotho boys who are raised away from towns, he looked after livestock out in the veld both at home and, seasonally, at the cattle posts in the mountains. At the age of 15 his mother passed away after a long illness leaving him and his younger brother behind. His parents were subsistence and commercial farmers and, as such, were able to pay for his education through high school. Soon after he matriculated his father went into exile and TMS became the family breadwinner. He went to work in the mines of South Africa from 1982 to 1987 where he saw the tragedy of illiteracy among the mineworkers -- many had their families disrupted due to the lack of secrecy. He developed a keen interest in literacy teaching, first as a volunteer and later as a trained “Adult Literacy Tutor”. Back in Lesotho, he worked as a non-formal educator for the Ministry of Education and helped to establish several learning posts for herd boys who attended evening lessons in nine of the ten districts of Lesotho. Meanwhile he continued his own education and attained both a Diploma and a degree in Adult Education from the National University of Lesotho then a B.A Honours Degree in Development Administration from the University of South Africa in 2003. His areas of interest include community development, project management, development administration and training. From 1999 to 2006 he worked with World Vision as a project manager. A father of six children (a son and five daughters), TMS Letela is a practical crops and dairy farmer who enjoys the backing of his father (an ex-member of parliament 1998-2001). He is a devoted Christian who is always seeing opportunity and God’s fulfillment in whatever people deem to be obstacles. He enjoys working with the poor and the oppressed to encourage them with the scriptures of Jesus, the Lord and the Saviour for such disadvantaged people. Second Quarter Activities of the Network Factors leading up to the departure of our previous Coordinator and the lack of available funds until April disrupted the ongoing network activities, which were basically stalled into the second quarter. In many ways the new Coordinator is starting from square one as he seeks to understand who we are and what has developed to this point, our programs and membership. In mid May, a meeting of the Executive Committee was called followed by a general meeting of the membership with representatives from the districts to introduce the new Coordinator and bring the members up to date. It was agreed to meet again in November for the Annual General Meeting, at which time a way forward will be more clearly defined. In these coming months Ntate Letela will be visiting the districts and members throughout the country and efforts will be taken to continue the alternative farming methods program being funded by Geneva Global. |
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Season of Drought Hinders Members’ Harvest A visit to some members in the Leribe district during their harvest time revealed limited results following a season of drought and erratic weather conditions that rendered their plantings and application of their alternative farming methods training nearly fruitless.
But still they were not deterred! They talked excitedly about the training and what they had learned and how, with their neighbors, fifteen families had put their efforts together to plant and grow maize, sorghum, and various ground vegetables including tomatoes, cabbage and other basic foodstuffs. In fact, with the cold, winter season approaching they talked about what winter crops they would be planting! So, though the weather conditions were beyond their control and other methods to water were unavailable, they remained optimistic about how what they learned would continue to benefit them in coming seasons. |
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Concerns Continue as Questions of Fair Representation in Government by Opposition Parties Remains Unresolved Following the February elections and the apportionment of the remaining seats in Parliament to the opposition parties, grave questions were raised regarding the legality of the actions taken by the ruling party.
Seeking a fair and valid process to address these issues, the opposition parties approached SADC (Southern African Development Community), the regional body formed to promote development, economic growth, peace and security in the Southern African region. According to reports from our network office, the SADC report was presented at their recent meeting but will only be presented in Lesotho on June 16.
Concerns are high as to what the SADC report contains and their recommendations for a way forward. If the representation issue is not addressed in what will appear to be a fair way to the people, reflecting a broader scope of representation amongst the rival political parties, the fear is that there will be a backlash which could entail violence. That is not the desire of the majority of the people, however there is enough frustration with the current ruling party and the direction they are taking that another 5 years in power is just too much for many to accept. If SADC “sides” with the current ruling party it will be viewed as a purely political action, as Lesotho’s current Prime Minister is also currently the Chairperson of SADC. |
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