Former Lesotho Ambassador to Italy, Chief Thesele ‘Maseribane, has raised concerns over the country’s substantial expenditure on subscriptions to international organisations while failing to fully utilise the opportunities they offer.
Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, ‘Maseribane, who is also a former minister, noted that in many cases, opportunities meant for Lesotho remain untapped, allowing other nations to benefit instead.
“Lesotho pays subscriptions to organisations such as the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the World Food Programme (WFP), among others. These institutions offer a range of opportunities, including jobs, scholarships, internships, and grants, yet we are not taking full advantage of them,” he said.
He emphasised that proper utilisation of these opportunities could help address the country’s unemployment crisis, particularly among the youth.
“Each of these organisations has employment quotas for member countries, but Lesotho rarely fills its slots. If we actively pursued these opportunities, we could significantly reduce unemployment because we have capable people,” he stated.
‘Maseribane highlighted that Basotho could benefit greatly from these organisations, especially given the government’s prioritisation of agriculture. He urged the government to review its foreign policy to ensure more Basotho secure jobs abroad.
He pointed out that Lesotho’s diplomatic mission in Italy is based in a region where agriculture is a major economic sector. To leverage this, he suggested that Lesotho should appoint an agricultural attaché with expertise in the field.
“If we facilitate more Basotho working abroad, they will eventually return home with valuable skills, establish businesses, and create jobs,” he said.
‘Maseribane further noted that Italy has adopted innovative agricultural practices, including waste recycling, which Lesotho could replicate.
“In Italy, treated waste, including sewage, is applied to agricultural land to boost production. There is also a strong emphasis on supporting smallholder farmers in organic food production,” he explained.
He added that given Basotho’s agricultural knowledge, the country should capitalise on international assistance, including Israel’s commitment to supporting Lesotho’s agricultural sector, particularly in irrigation.
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.
