By Tsitsi Matope MASERU — Some desperate cancer-patients are resorting to the traditional way of treatment due to fear they might not survive the “complex” medical therapy. Most cancer patients are referred to Bloemfontein, South Africa, for advanced treatment, such as chemotherapy, radiation-therapy and surgery. However, the Lesotho Times has found out some patients are […]
By Tsitsi Matope SETIBING — Livestock-farming in the beautiful mountains of Ha-Chalalisa village in Setibing, has never been this exciting — thanks to the newly established Moleko Ambulatory Veterinary Services Clinic. The private clinic, owned by Dr Malefane Moleko, was opened in January and provides comprehensive veterinary care, including supplementary feed. Over the years, local […]
Tasked with bringing development, sanity on the roads By Tsitsi Matope MASERU — A minibus taxi parks right in the middle of the highway, while another makes a U-turn in defiance of traffic regulations before speeding towards Thabong Circle to pick-up passengers. Never mind the law or width of the road at this particular spot, […]
By Tsitsi Matope MASERU — It should take less than one hour to drive from Ramatseliso’s Gate Border Crossing to the Sehlabathebe National Park, but this is made difficult because of the bad state of the road. Traversing the rocky thoroughfare linking the two locations situated 50 kilometres apart in Qacha’s Nek District can be […]
By Tsitsi Matope QUTHING — The green mountains momentarily block the sun as it descends to retire for the night just beyond the Letšeng-la-Letsie wetland in Quthing district. The almost hypnotic descent is reflected in the sparkling streams flowing into this mythical lake situated in Mphaki, creating a scenery whose beauty is troubling as it […]
By Tsitsi Matope MASERU — It is 8am and 31-year-old Nthabeleng Ramone is one of the mothers already waiting for services at ‘Mabatho Clinic and Maternity Home in Maseru’s high-density suburb of Sea-Point. Ramone gave birth to a bouncing baby girl here six weeks ago and is back to have her checked while she also […]
By Tsitsi Matope MASERU — That many mothers have a chill down their spines each time they imagine what could happen if they decide to fall pregnant is a reality in Lesotho. According to the 2009 Demographic Health Survey, out of 100 000 deliveries, 1 155 of the women die of pregnancy-related causes — the […]
In Lesotho’s most remote areas where gynaecologists and obstetricians are but an alien species, falling pregnant could be as risky as traversing the high country in the middle of snowy weather. By Tsitsi Matope MASERU-It’s like in a violent Western movie depicting the 19th century American frontier —a heavily pregnant woman who is obviously in […]
Women in rural Butha-Buthe struggle to survive childbirth By Tsitsi Matope Butha-Buthe is a district in great need of baby-delivery services in the rural clinics. All clinics in the district’s rural areas do not provide such services and mothers have to travel to Butha-Buthe town when in need. However, this is not always the case […]
Ha-Mokoto Clinic is providing a critical service to impoverished Thaba-Tseka communities, but the delivery is not without its challenges. By Tsitsi Matope THABA-TSEKA – Ha-Mokoto Clinic is a sanctuary of hope in the middle of nowhere. Green-grey mountains tower menacingly over the health facility while far below, an angry river hisses in flood as it […]
The sad tale of Damaseka — a village in Butha-Buthe which gives a clear picture of what it means to live in a ‘hard-to-reach’ area in Lesotho By Tsitsi Matope BUTHA-BUTHE – The stench permeates the village of Damaseka and children can be seen covering their noses to protect themselves from the unbearable reek […]
When the serious business of fish creates a floating slum By Tsitsi Matope LAGOS – It never runs dry in Makoko—an informal settlement uniquely built on the stilts above the Lagos Lagoon. The floating slum, as it is called by many residents of Lagos, is home to more than 85 000 people whose livelihoods largely […]
The Ministry of Health is set to implement new innovations to turn around the sector By Tsitsi Matope MASERU — It is almost 14 years after the 189 countries that are members of the United Nations committed to achieving the eight International Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) following the Millennium Summit of the UN in 2000. Although […]
If you are seeking a holiday in the sky, look no further than the New Oxbow Lodge — an astounding place, situated in the enchanting Maluti Mountain Range in northern Lesotho By Tsitsi Matope BOTHA-BUTHE — Nothing beats the serenity of not only being away from the hustle and bustle of the capital Maseru, but […]
By Tsitsi Matope MASERU — The Central Bank of Lesotho (CBL) governor, Dr Retšelisitsoe Matlanyane, says the implementation of broad-based strategies aimed at developing the country’s economy should be prioritised by every stakeholder. Speaking on a wide range of economic issues this week, Matlanyane said stimulating the economy demands commitment, competence, focus and innovative solutions […]
By Tsitsi Matope BUTHA-BUTHE — It is a rugged environment, but one which the elderly Austin Sehloboko has enjoyed his entire life. Sehloboko has grown accustomed to the mountain’s biting cold, crisp but fresh air and the wind that shakes everything in its path, including the 150 sheep which have made the 68-year-old the envy […]
By Tsitsi Matope MASERU — The Private Sector Competitiveness and Economic Diversification Project (PSCP) will enter its second phase next month, following the successful implementation of the first phase between 2007 and June 2013. The Second Phase, which is funded to the tune of US$13.1 million (approximately M135 million) by the Government of Lesotho and […]
By Tsitsi Matope MASERU — The Maseru South West suburb (Masowe) is the latest giant housing project blossoming in the capital and promising to become one of the most attractive and well-planned settlement. The pride of the Lesotho Housing and Land Development Corporation (LHLDC), Masowe is expected to accommodate thousands of people, many of whom […]
By Tsitsi Matope MASERU — It is every town planner’s dream to apply their skills and ensure the development of well-organised and functional urban or rural settlements. A good town planner visualises a country’s economic and population growth and incorporates, in his works, vital aspects that ensures the authorities would still be able to respond […]
By Billy Ntaote MASERU — Seventeen subcontractors in a M568 million joint venture originally enlisted to build 101 health centres but which is now under provisional liquidation have petitioned the High Court in a seemingly desperate attempt to rescue the project and gain some value out of it. Trencon Building World Belela Joint Venture (TBWB-JV) […]
By Tsitsi Matope MASERU — Extolling the virtues of good nutrition is at the heart of Dr Mphaka Joane Sankoela Mphaka’s drive as a Herbalife Independent Distributor. The Bloemfontein-based Mphaka told the Lesotho Times in an interview this week that a balanced diet and good nutrition are key to a quality and productive life. Mphaka […]
By Tsitsi Matope MASERU — Keneoue Mohale is inconsolable as she narrates how her only 23-year-old daughter was shot several times by her ex-boyfriend in South Africa two years ago, killing her instantly. The former boyfriend also shot and injured a friend who had tried to stop the shooting, before he turned the gun on […]
By Tsitsi Matope MASERU — The Lesotho Tourism Development Corporation (LTDC) chief executive officer, Mpaiphele Maqutu said decision-makers are a major target in his organisation’s new marketing strategy. Maqutu told the Lesotho Times this week it was critical for the corporation to forge strong partnerships with all decision-makers from both the public and private sectors, […]
By Mohalenyane Phakela MAFETENG — Sesotho Media and Development trainee Mohapi Moshesha said abuse can lead to the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. Addressing Malealea community during the screening of a film in Mafeteng on Monday, Moshesha said those being abused in the communities are not aware of the situation. “There are […]
By Tsitsi Matope MASERU — There is no turning back when it comes to defining himself as a man in a woman’s body. The 32-year-old Matrix Support Group’s Dialogue and Advocacy Coordinator, Sheriff Mothopeng was named Lineo by his mother, who thought she had given birth to a female child. A few years later, Mothopeng […]
By Tsitsi Matope ROMA — After giving birth to seven daughters in a two-decade search for a son, 36-year-old ‘Makatiso Sam and her husband from Nyakosoba village in Roma finally got a son last year. It had never been this unemployed rural couple’s plan to have so many children but because of the need to […]
By TsitsiMatope MASERU — They say they have not seen any meaningful development in their area of Tšenola Lepereng for close to two decades; they are Maseru city’s forgotten community. Signs of residents’ daily struggle for survival are everywhere in this informal settlement of Maseru, more so their lack of running water. Over the years, […]
By Tsitsi Matope HA MASAKALA — The time is just a few minutes before 5pm and workers constructing the magnificent cable bridge in Ha Masakala are preparing to call it a day. That it is Friday could explain why the employees are in such a buoyant mood since the following two days would be a […]
By Tsitsi Matope MASERU-A water crisis is looming countrywide with the capital Maseru left with only a less than a month supply of raw water from Maqalika Dam. This year’s portable water supply shortage has been attributed to the drought experienced countrywide between January and March, this is despite the fact that Lesotho exports millions […]
. . . Some of the girls need sanitary ware, which the home is struggling to provide By Tsitsi Matope MOTSEKUOA — At last, 13-year-old Moliehi can now go to school content she would not have to sacrifice some valuable learning time to slave for her own upkeep, thanks to officials at her new home — the Andrew Blair Orphanage […]
