Listen to the Q&A:

Lesotho faces increasing challenges related to water conservation and land degradation, particularly in its critical catchment areas. To address these issues, the ReNOKA initiative was launched in 2020 with the mission to enhance sustainable management and preservation of natural resources across the country.

Through community-driven projects and partnerships with key stakeholders, including the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA) and the German development agency GIZ, ReNOKA is actively working to combat soil erosion, protect water sources, and promote sustainable land-use practices that benefit both Lesotho and the wider Senqu River Basin.

In this exclusive Q&A, Uncensored News Managing Editor Pascalinah Kabi sits down with ReNOKA Deputy Coordinator Matšolo Migwi to explore the program’s achievements, challenges, and its impact since ReNOKA’s inception.

Pascalinah Kabi:  ReNOKA is often described as a holistic and inclusive movement dedicated to protecting not just the land, but all natural resources in the region. Could you explain what this holistic and comprehensive approach entails?

Matšolo Migwi: Yes, we describe ReNOKA as a holistic, inclusive, and multisectoral process dedicated to protecting and conserving natural resources in Lesotho and the broader Orange River Basin. By “holistic,” we mean that we consider everything. In our planning and implementation, we focus on sustainable development, taking into account the social, environmental, and economic aspects of the entire landscape.

When making decisions, we always look at three key pillars: environmental sustainability, social inclusion, and the livelihoods of people. Additionally, we consider the economic impact. That’s why we emphasise a holistic approach. ReNOKA operates on principles such as inclusivity, using a participatory process where decision-making happens at both national and local levels.

We strongly believe that everyone must be involved in the management and protection of our natural resources. This means not just engaging communities, but empowering them to make decisions about their own resources. At the same time, we emphasise the importance of an evidence-based approach. We believe that science and evidence must guide decision-making, so we are dedicating systems and processes to ensure decisions are informed by the best available data to protect and conserve our resources.

Another key principle is recognizing that Lesotho is upstream in the larger basin, meaning we must collaborate with other member states. It’s important that Basotho actively participate in a collective approach to resource conservation, ensuring the protection of water resources throughout the larger basin. Ultimately, ReNOKA is establishing systems and processes to effectively safeguard and conserve natural resources across the country.

Pascalinah Kabi: I am curious to understand why it is so important for ReNOKA to involve communities—particularly ordinary citizens—in the program, especially in the protection and preservation of natural resources. As you mentioned, they need to be empowered and part of the decision-making process, but why is it crucial for them to be engaged every step of the way?

Matšolo Migwi: Numerous studies, both globally and regionally, have shown that the protection and sustainable management of natural resources can only be achieved by engaging communities at the local level. These are their resources, and they live within these environments. If they are not empowered to make decisions and plan for their own resources in ways that benefit them, we would make progress.

In fact, a 2021 World Bank report highlighted that the key issue surrounding natural resources in Lesotho and other developing countries is governance. When we talk about governance, we are referring to the institutions, processes, and systems needed to implement effective measures for resource management.

We conducted a meta-review of natural resources in Lesotho as ReNOKA, covering the period from 1970 to 2020, and it confirmed that the root cause of environmental degradation is governance. Communities lack the power to manage their own resources, which has contributed to the widespread degradation we see today.

As a country, we have also relied on a project-based approach, which doesn’t work. When we follow this logic, people see programs as having a clear start and end, and once the project concludes, everything—successes included—collapses.

That’s why we believe it is crucial to institutionalise these efforts, embedding them within local councils and communities. Decision-making must be deeply rooted in the processes of decentralisation and community empowerment. Without this, everything falls apart.

The report revealed that while many interventions were funded with significant amounts of money, we have not seen lasting benefits. This is because, as Basotho, our mindset has not been focused on owning and managing our resources. We often look to the national government or donors to do things that we are fully capable of doing ourselves. Changing this mindset is a key part of our work.

Pascalinah Kabi: I love the idea of ownership, of ensuring that future generations find our environment as pristine as it once was—or at least as close as possible.

Matšolo Migwi: Exactly. We need to understand that while we use our resources today, we must also consider the needs of the future.

Pascalinah Kabi: Since the inception of ReNOKA, what would you say are some of the biggest achievements we can point to today?

Matšolo Migwi: Our biggest achievement has been rallying local communities around the cause, especially at the grassroots level where we have piloted the program.

We have launched projects in six sub-catchments: Hlotse, Khubelu, Likhetla, Makhalaneng, Maletsunyane, and Senqunyane. In these areas, if you visit the local communities, you will see the energy and enthusiasm of the people. They now understand the link between their resources and their livelihoods, and they feel a sense of ownership over the process. It all started with voluntary participation, and that spirit of voluntarism has been key to our success.

I am particularly proud of our work with local communities, especially our close collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government and the Department of Decentralisation. We have worked together to empower councillors to take ownership of the process. This is one of ReNOKA’s major achievements because, in essence, our approach is helping pilot the decentralisation agenda in the country.

While decentralisation has always been part of the plan—to enable local areas to plan and implement effectively—there were barriers in the way. Now, we are working closely with the Ministry to establish systems and pilot what they have long aimed to achieve at the local level.  That is one of the biggest milestones we have reached so far.

However, when it comes to tangible implementation at the local level, we are still behind. But I am hopeful that this year will bring visible progress on the ground.

Pascalinah Kabi: I can personally attest to the impact of community empowerment. Back in June or July, I was in Khubelu, Mokhotlong, and by chance, I witnessed one of the trained ReNOKA volunteers speaking to local villagers. It was really impressive. Listening to her and interviewing her gave me a real sense of the achievements you’re talking about.

Now, I would like us to shift focus to ReNOKA’s emphasis on gender sensitivity. Could you elaborate on how this is incorporated into your program?

Matšolo Migwi: At ReNOKA, we prioritise inclusivity, and gender issues are crucial to our program. We place a strong emphasis on gender balance in everything we do because we believe that everyone must benefit equitably from the management of resources and their associated benefits. Natural resources are closely tied to the livelihoods of the people, so we cannot overlook gender considerations.

It’s essential to recognise that, as Basotho, we operate within a patriarchal system, and we have seen the harm it can inflict at the local level. Often, we donot fully realise how gender dynamics negatively impact the wider community.

When we talk about gender, we are not just referring to males and females; we are also addressing marginalised groups, such as herders. Our goal is to adopt a holistic and gender-sensitive approach in planning for our resources. A key component of ReNOKA is facilitating community collaboration, where residents come together to envision their future and devise measures, they believe can help achieve that vision.

In this process, we must be very mindful of gender considerations to ensure that the interventions we implement do not marginalise anyone. Gender inclusivity is vital, which is why we have developed gender-sensitive guidelines to help incorporate diverse groups into our planning. We are committed to working closely with the Department of Gender and the Department of Youth, as engaging youth is also essential in our efforts to claim and manage our resources effectively.

Pascalinah Kabi: Could you briefly explain how you plan to implement the gender-sensitive strategic plan you just mentioned? What role does each group play in this implementation?

Matšolo Migwi: Yes, we have developed guidelines that outline the actions and processes for creating our Integrated Catchment Management (ICM) plan and the natural resources plan. In our approach, we often segregate women, men, and youth into separate groups to provide a safe space for them to express their concerns.

We carefully structure our questioning and capacity-building efforts to help each group understand their roles in the discussions. For example, when planning activities for rehabilitating catchments, we recognise that certain tasks, such as stone lifting, can be very gender-sensitive, often benefiting men more than women.

We closely examine various issues, even when assisting with community gardens. For instance, once they have generated income from selling their produce, we examine how that money is utilised. Is the decision-making process gender-sensitive? Who is making those decisions? It is a comprehensive chain of activities that we undertake in collaboration with the Department of Gender to explore what gender mainstreaming truly means. We are not just addressing surface-level concerns; we are delving into the nitty-gritty of the issues on the ground.

While I am not a gender specialist, I have observed the efforts being made. Even when questions arise, they are approached with a strong focus on gender sensitivity. That is essentially what our guidelines aim to address.

Pascalinah Kabi: Thank you so much. Earlier, you mentioned evidence-based and scientific approaches. How have technological and scientific innovations been incorporated into ReNOKA’s work?

Matšolo Migwi: I am proud to say that we have developed data tools in collaboration with the FAO (Food and Agricultural Organization), notably the Land Cover Atlas. This tool utilises advanced remote sensing and data products to assess land cover across the country. It can be updated annually, providing vital information to various stakeholders across different sectors, including agriculture, forestry, environment, and water management. This initiative has fostered collaboration among diverse groups to work together toward common goals.

The Land Cover Atlas also provides statistical information on an annual basis, making it an essential tool for informing future planning and tracking interventions implemented not only by ReNOKA but also by other stakeholders, such as the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, which has already begun utilising these tools. Other initiatives, like the Regeneration of Livelihoods and Landscapes (ROLL) project, are also leveraging this collaboration with the FAO, marking a significant achievement in the natural resources sector.

We recognise that data-related challenges in the country are substantial, with issues surrounding data sharing and collection. Often, we lack the resources for physical data collection, but this tool enables us to access vital information without the need for on-the-ground data gathering. This represents a major advancement for our efforts.

Another significant achievement is the rallying of individuals from various sectors who have been trained in this process. It requires considerable effort for them to become the driving force behind data management. In 2023, these trained individuals successfully updated the data without external consultants, demonstrating our progress in institutionalising data management. This shift will enable data to inform future planning, addressing the previous gap between our plans and the evidence provided by collected information.

We have also collaborated with the Departments of Forestry and Soil and Water Conservation, which had already developed soil information data. By linking these databases, we are creating a comprehensive database that will serve multiple sectors.

I would be pleased to see all sectors actively engage with these resources developed in the country. I am hopeful that the newly formed data reference group will garner support from various ministers.

We launched these data tools at Ha Ramarothole in May or June, making them accessible to all sectors. This initiative allows academia and both public and private institutions to utilise these free tools for their planning and interventions.

Pascalinah Kabi: I am interested in understanding the role of the private sector, particularly in sectors whose daily operations have a direct negative impact on our environment. What is their role in this context?

Matšolo Migwi: As I mentioned earlier, this program is designed for everyone, and the private sector must play an active role. Public institutions cannot tackle these issues alone; the private sector needs to collaborate with us. There is a principle of stewardship that emphasises their responsibility to manage their operations sustainably.

The private sector must recognise that if our country fails in environmental management, it will ultimately affect their economic activities. Since the program’s inception, sectors like mining have expressed interest in participating. However, we are still navigating this relationship cautiously, as their engagement has not been robust.

I believe the challenge is global, as many private sector entities struggle to identify the best path for making meaningful contributions to environmental sustainability. This year, we are engaging with Liqhobong mine to explore collaboration opportunities in their operations, leveraging our expertise to mitigate the impacts of their activities. It’s still a learning process.

If we can successfully partner with one institution, it may pave the way for others in the private sector. Additionally, we have collaborated with LEGCO (Lesotho Electricity Generation Company) at Ha Ramarothole, a public-private entity, to identify synergies in our activities. As you’ve observed, the Ha Ramarothole solar plant has been established in a challenging area, so we are working together to address and reverse the environmental degradation there.

Ultimately, effective environmental management must consider business realities. When companies pursue their operations, they need to balance profitability with sustainability; they should not navigate this challenge alone. Our collaboration at Ramarothole may serve as a model for other private entities looking to engage in similar efforts.

We have also been engaging with the leaders of a trade zone in Mafeteng that has been earmarked for cannabis-related businesses in the Tšakholo area. Although I cannot recall the exact name, this initiative is in collaboration with the Lesotho National Development Corporation (LNDC). We are working to establish a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to explore how we can collaborate with businesses in that area, providing insights from a business perspective to identify synergies. However, this initiative has not yet begun due to some hiccups.

Additionally, we are collaborating with Aranda to create a partnership where a portion of the sales from their ReNOKA blankets, and potentially other blankets, will contribute to the ReNOKA Fund. This fund is intended to assist in implementing measures on the ground, though discussions regarding the specific percentage are still ongoing.

We have also engaged with South African businesses about their use of water sourced from Lesotho. While our focus is not on treaty issues, we approach this from a business perspective. South Africa depends on water from Lesotho’s catchments, and local communities often sacrifice their own needs to ensure a steady water supply not only for the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) but also for downstream areas that rely on it for large-scale farming.

It is essential for these businesses to recognise the importance of protecting the water sources at their origin. Therefore, we are discussing what we call transboundary water stewardship, emphasising the need for these businesses to invest back into the communities from which they source their water.

Pascalinah Kabi: I know this question was not included in the ones I sent earlier, but I’m eager to know: what is the status of our rivers and wetlands in the areas covered by ReNOKA? Are they degrading, and are we able to restore them? Should we be concerned as a nation about their health?

Matšolo Migwi: To be honest, we have every reason to be very worried as a nation. We need to take these issues extremely seriously. As I mentioned regarding the data on land cover, we are closely monitoring the condition of wetlands. Reports from 2017 to 2022 and again from 2022 to 2023 reveal alarming trends.

In the areas where we are active, we have observed that some wetlands have shrunk by more than 50 percent from 2017 to 2023. This is a significant decline that requires urgent, concrete action to address the status of our rivers. The health of our rivers involves more than just waste management; sedimentation is also a critical issue.

When waters are highly turbid, the overall health of the river suffers significantly. Additionally, the rapid silting of our dams is a concern. For example, Metolong Dam has silted up in a very short time, drastically reducing its lifespan.

What does this mean for our country? These are critical issues that we, as decision-makers and as a nation, must acknowledge and take steps to reverse. The condition of our wetlands and rivers is indeed in a bad state, largely due to our land use practices and various other contributing factors.

Pascalinah Kabi: What are some of the biggest challenges ReNOKA has faced since it began its work?

Matšolo Migwi: One of the biggest challenges for ReNOKA is overcoming the silo mentality that exists within different sectors. People tend to be very territorial about their areas, often resisting collaboration and feeling that others are encroaching on their space. This has been a significant hurdle for ReNOKA since the program’s inception.

We anticipated this issue and recognised the need to address it at the highest levels of government to facilitate breaking down these silos. However, it remains a long journey ahead.

Pascalinah Kabi: What does the future look like for ReNOKA?

Matšolo Migwi: I believe the future is looking bright for ReNOKA. The past four years have been quite challenging, but we are starting to feel heard. We are making progress and gaining traction.

We have successfully integrated our needs into the water resources bill which is being revised. It is important to note that ReNOKA is not just a project; it is a long-term program for the government of Lesotho. Being included in the law will enable us to carry out our work more effectively.

I have also observed that donors and cooperating partners are more willing to support interventions when they see established systems and processes in place. As we demonstrate our effectiveness, I am hopeful that securing funding will become less of a challenge, as long as we continue to show that we have the necessary systems to address these issues.

Pascalinah Kabi: Thank you so much. Is there anything you feel we have not covered that you would like to highlight?

Matšolo Migwi: I appreciate the challenging questions you have asked, as they have effectively highlighted the processes we are addressing within ReNOKA. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you feel something is missing while writing. If I think of anything else, I will be sure to let you know.