Ntsoaki Motaung
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lejone Mpotjoane, has confirmed a distressing situation faced by Basotho living in South Africa, as their shelters were reduced to ashes, leaving them in urgent need of humanitarian aid.
Mpotjoane stated that the ministry was collaborating with independent organisations and the South African government to extend assistance to the affected Basotho.
However, he explained, the sheer scale of the crisis poses a challenge to mount a rapid response.
“Due to the high numbers of people affected, it becomes a challenge for us to respond within a short time but preparations for helping them are being made,†Mpotjoane asserted.
Lesotho, entirely surrounded by South Africa, is home to an estimated 2.2 million people. Annually, hundreds of Basotho migrate to South Africa in search of employment opportunities.
The history of labour migration from Lesotho to South Africa dates back to the nineteenth century when Basotho sought employment on farms and in towns in the Orange Free State and the Cape Colony.
Others were engaged as individual wage labourers in diamond mines, railway lines, and towns.
During a recent media briefing, the Chairman and President of the Lesotho Red Cross Society (LRCS), Harry Nkhetše, disclosed the tragic incidents that occurred in Pretoria, Rustenburg, and the Western Cape last month, where shelters belonging to Basotho were set ablaze, rendering many in dire need of humanitarian assistance.
NkhetÅ¡e emphasised the urgency of the situation, stating: “While Basotho were left vulnerable, LRCS was working tirelessly with the office of the High Commissioner of Lesotho in South Africa and the South Africa Red Cross Society (SARCS) to immediately arrest the situation in order to find a temporary solution for Basotho who are in distress.â€
He further detailed the immediate actions taken.
“We gave clothes to Basotho whose houses have been burned while SARCS provided food and temporary shelter. After receiving the assessment report, we are planning to assist with food parcels until those people can find comfort,†he explained.
According to Nkhetše, with the assistance of SARCS, investigations were underway to determine the extent of the impact and identify those in need.
Sechaba Mokhameleli, the acting secretary general of the LRCS, provided harrowing statistics, revealing that in Pretoria, at least three individuals lost their lives, two of whom were Basotho.
Among the affected, over 1,000 people were impacted, with more than 500 being Basotho as per the latest communication with the Lesotho Embassy in South Africa, Mokhameleli said.
“In Rustenburg, there are more than 500 affected people including adults and children. Some of the children are reported to have been forced to quit school because they no longer have homes. Most of them stay in shacks in the areas around mines,†he added.
Summary
- The history of labour migration from Lesotho to South Africa dates back to the nineteenth century when Basotho sought employment on farms and in towns in the Orange Free State and the Cape Colony.
- During a recent media briefing, the Chairman and President of the Lesotho Red Cross Society (LRCS), Harry Nkhetše, disclosed the tragic incidents that occurred in Pretoria, Rustenburg, and the Western Cape last month, where shelters belonging to Basotho were set ablaze, rendering many in dire need of humanitarian assistance.
- “While Basotho were left vulnerable, LRCS was working tirelessly with the office of the High Commissioner of Lesotho in South Africa and the South Africa Red Cross Society (SARCS) to immediately arrest the situation in order to find a temporary solution for Basotho who are in distress.
Welcome to Newsday Media – Your Trusted Source for News and Insights in Lesotho!
At Newsday Media, we are passionate about delivering accurate, timely, and engaging news and multimedia content to our diverse audience. Founded with the vision of revolutionizing the media landscape in Lesotho, we have grown into a leading hybrid media company that blends traditional journalism with innovative digital platforms.
Our mission is simple: to inform, inspire, and empower our readers by providing comprehensive coverage of local and global events, current affairs, and cultural happenings. Whether you’re looking for breaking news, in-depth analysis, or captivating storytelling, Newsday Media is your go-to destination for all things news-related.
With a dedicated team of journalists, editors, and multimedia experts, we are committed to upholding the highest standards of journalistic integrity and professionalism. We pride ourselves on delivering content that not only informs but also sparks conversation, fosters understanding, and drives positive change in our society.
From our flagship newspaper to our dynamic digital platforms, we offer a wide range of multimedia content to cater to the diverse interests and preferences of our audience. Whether you prefer to stay informed through print, online articles, videos, or podcasts, Newsday Media has something for everyone.
We believe in the power of storytelling to connect people, bridge divides, and inspire action. That’s why we’re dedicated to providing a platform for voices from all walks of life, championing diversity, inclusion, and authenticity in everything we do.
Thank you for visiting Newsday Media. We invite you to explore our website, engage with our content, and join us on our journey to inform, inspire, and empower our community. Together, let’s shape the future of media in Lesotho.
