24 December 2022 by Pascalinah Kabi Bertha Foundation Fellow Letšeng Diamonds, Lesotho’s most lucrative mine, has awarded contracts worth M6.7 billion to MGC Mining, a company that is ultimately owned by Prime Minister Sam Matekane. The value of the contracts was disclosed in a 16-page response by Letšeng to a number [...]
13 October 2022 by Pascalinah Kabi Bertha Foundation Fellow A confidential report that flags harmful levels of toxic mining effluent in Lesotho’s key rivers feeding the Lesotho Water Highlands Project (LWHP) has raised uncomfortable questions in the government and set the cat among the pigeons in cabinet, as ministries shift the blame [...]
11 October 2022 by Pascalinah Kabi Bertha Foundation Fellow Lesotho’s Director of the Department of Environment, Motsamai Damane’s bombshell admission that mining companies are polluting water sources that rural communities rely on has triggered a blame game in government. While departments try to dodge being held accountable for not monitoring mining operations, [...]
As Lesotho steps up its efforts to curb rates of teen pregnancy, young mothers warn against dumping the responsibility for a complex social and health issue on girls alone. 23 August 2023 by Pascalinah Kabi Peer Educators pose for a picture with UNESCO official Matsooana Sekokotoane with radios used to tune [...]
HIV activist, ‘Malijo Baji, was five months pregnant when a private doctor in Maseru told her to abort her baby and get sterilised because of her HIV+ status. Her story has thrown a spotlight on the pressure HIV+ pregnant women are being put under by medical facilities to get sterilised. [...]
Memories of a bad 2010 epidemic are spurring on the country’s health workers, as leaders say the campaign will run until every child is reached. 9 May 2023 by Pascalinah Kabi Nurse Kekeletso Motiki addresses a measles campaign drive at Ha Jimisi on 20 April 2023. Credit: Pascalinah Kabi “Do not blame us, [...]
Lesotho’s village health workers are doing everything in their power to ensure Basotho children are vaccinated. 9 September 2022 by Monyane Khau Some of the northern region Village Health Workers attending a function in Berea. Credit: Lesotho Times Immunisation is one of the most impactful and cost-effective public health interventions available, averting more than [...]
Despite floods and landslides, Basotho are finding a way to get vaccinated. 16 March 2022 by Monyane Khau A group of people crossing what used to be a bridge connecting the Ha Ramapepe people with their counterparts over the river. Credit: Monyane Khau Despite torrential rains leaving a trail of destruction across the [...]
1 August 2022 by Pascalinah Kabi Bertha Foundation Fellow Landlocked Lesotho, is currently experiencing severe food insecurity as a result of a deal to meet neighbouring South Africa’s ever-increasing water needs. The Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) was billed as one that would bolster Lesotho’s position in the regional political economy and [...]
17 May 2022 by Pascalinah Kabi Bertha Foundation Fellow ‘Mapontso Lematla explains the real time Letšeng Diamonds Mine pollution captured on camera in March 2023. Credit: Retselisitsoe Khabo Sitting in her modest hut in the rural enclave of Patising in Mokhotlong, Lesotho, the 52-year-old ‘Mapontso Lematla says she first spotted the discoloured [...]