… as water relief bypasses students
A humanitarian effort to bring water relief to drought-stricken schools in Mafeteng has been met with both gratitude and disappointment.
While one school celebrates a new water source, another feels left high and dry.
In February 2025, Newsday highlighted the severe water crisis affecting Mafeteng town and surrounding villages, including schools such as Mafeteng High School and St John’s A.C.L. High School.
Following the report, Sechaba Milling Company announced plans to install boreholes in the most affected schools, inviting the public to suggest which schools should receive aid. Both Mafeteng High and St John’s were popular choices, and the company confirmed site visits to both institutions.
The outcomes, however, have diverged sharply. While St John’s High School now has a sustainable water supply, Mafeteng High School’s principal, Ramahetlana ‘Matli, told Newsday on Tuesday during a follow-up visit to the school that they were promised help but received nothing.
‘Matli said that after the initial visit, Sechaba Milling Company failed to communicate. When he finally reached out, he was told the company would no longer help because the school’s enrollment of 326 students was below their 500-student threshold.
“They told me they were no longer going to help because our school roll is lower than 500,” Matli said. “What was left in my mind as a question was, ‘Is it okay for school children to suffer because they are not many?”
Matli is concerned about the upcoming summer season, fearing his students will face the same water challenges as before.
Meanwhile, St John’s High School Principal, Tumo Moshesha, confirmed to this publication on Tuesday that Sechaba Milling Company had followed through on its promise.
The borehole has significantly reduced the school’s water bill, dropping from M10,000 to just M500.
“They have really helped us, and we have nothing to worry about,” Moshesha stated.
However, the school is now facing a new problem as the pump is believed to be blocked by mud.
Moshesha explained that he has reported the issue to Sechaba Milling Company, and he is actively seeking a solution, even considering taking the pump to Bloemfontein, South Africa, for maintenance.
Bofihla Nneko, on behalf of Sechaba Milling Company, on Thursday, said the company was always willing to assist when there is a crisis, and the Mafeteng water crisis prompted them to do something, and then they decided they could start by helping schools.
The minimum budget for assisting St John’s High School was M25,000.
Nnneko indicated that with St John’s High School, the company resuscitated an already existing borehole, provided a tank and assisted with the connection.
“For Mafeteng High School, after our analysis was realised, their school roll was very low and did not allow us to assist when looking at our principles. We decided to put the project on hold,” he said.
He indicated that Sechaba Milling Company is committed to helping communities in crisis, and they are reviewing to look into where they will extend a helping hand should Mafeteng experience the same crisis in future.
Summary
- While St John’s High School now has a sustainable water supply, Mafeteng High School’s principal, Ramahetlana ‘Matli, told Newsday on Tuesday during a follow-up visit to the school that they were promised help but received nothing.
- Bofihla Nneko, on behalf of Sechaba Milling Company, on Thursday, said the company was always willing to assist when there is a crisis, and the Mafeteng water crisis prompted them to do something, and then they decided they could start by helping schools.
- He indicated that Sechaba Milling Company is committed to helping communities in crisis, and they are reviewing to look into where they will extend a helping hand should Mafeteng experience the same crisis in future.
Ntsoaki Motaung is an award-winning health journalist from Lesotho, specializing in community health stories with a focus on sexual and reproductive health and rights, as well as HIV. She has contributed to platforms like “Be in the KNOW,” highlighting issues such as the exclusion of people with disabilities from HIV prevention efforts in Lesotho.
In addition to her journalism, Ntsoaki serves as the Country Coordinator for the Regional Media Action Plan Support Network (REMAPSEN). She is also a 2023 CPHIA Journalism Fellow.
