Lesotho
Lesotho: baseline information
Kingdom of Lesotho
Population [WHO 2006]: 1.8 million
Annual population growth [WHO 2006]: 0.7 %
HDI (and rank out of 177) [UN 2005]: 0.497 (149th)
Life expectancy at birth [WHO 2006]: 41 years
Currency: Loti
Main exports: clothing, wool, livestock
Capital city: Maseru
Provinces/ districts: 10 districts (Berea, Butha-Buthe, Leribe, Mafeteng, Maseru, Mohale's Hoek, Mokhotlong, Qacha's Nek, Quthing, Thaba-Tseka)
Links to more Lesotho resources
Background
(a) Social, economic and political
In terms of the constitution, Lesotho is a multi-party democracy. However, in practice, the country is a monarchy, which over the past decade, has been characterised by extreme political fragmentation.
A revised electoral system combining proportional representation and first-past-the-post model was used in the April 2002 election, which passed off peacefully.
Genuine multiparty democracy is needed but paradoxically small, weak political parties are beginning to mushroom.
The recent local government elections in April went fairly smoothly but more needs to be done about better representation of women and rural areas.
Rule of Law is weak and judiciary is not entirely independent.
GEM reports 81% increase in Letseng sales
Tacy - Ramat Gan,Israel
Gem Diamonds, which owns 70 percent of Lesotho’s Letseng mine, has reported an increase of 81 percent in totals sales from the mine to US$152 million for the year ending December 31, 2007. The diamond mining company says that 76,873 carats were sold from Letseng during the year, a 45 percent increase from the 52,998 carats that were sold during 2006. The Lesotho
Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP)
Inter Press Service (subscription) - Rome,Italy
JOHANNESBURG, Jan 30 (IPS) - The Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) was conceived and built primarily to supplement the water supply of the industrial hub of South Africa. The additional water has however, provided an important benefit beyond the original aims of the project -- it is reducing the salinity of the Vaal Dam reservoir.
Lesotho: ABC backs mediation efforts
AFP -
MASERU (AFP) — Lesotho opposition leader Tom Thabane gave his backing Thursday to a bid by ex-Botswana premier Ketimule Masire to mediate an end to a standoff with the government in the troubled African mountain kingdom. Masire is due to hold talks with government and opposition figures next month in his second trip to Lesotho since the country was plunged into crisis
Vodacom reflects 4.7% growth
MyADSL - Melville,South Africa
As at December 31, 2007, Vodacom Group recorded 33.0 million customers across its networks operating in South Africa, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lesotho and Mozambique. This reflects a 4.7% increase in the three months since September 30, 2007. The growth in the customer base is a result of high gross
Extreme weather conditions in Lesotho
ReliefWeb (press release) - Geneva,Switzerland
By Mark South In the wake of a freak tornado, the Lesotho Red Cross are stocking up on tents in case of a repeat strike. The twister which struck the country in early January is just one example of the extreme weather Southern Africa has been experiencing over the past few weeks, in many cases the
Lesotho: health cooperation with China
Kaiser network.org - Washington,DC,USA
Lesotho hopes to increase cooperation with China on HIV/AIDS treatment and other health issues, Lesotho's ambassador to Beijing, Anthony Thibeli, said ... China's first medical team to Lesotho arrived in 1997, and the second
Anti-Chinese sentiment in Lesotho
IRINnews.org - New York,NY,USA
MASERU, 24 January 2008 (IRIN) - For 14 years, Mathabo Mabekhla was one of Lesotho's most successful entrepreneurs. Her ladies' clothing boutique sold dresses, blouses and slacks imported from neighbouring South Africa ... dwindling
Lesotho uncovers "assassination plot"
Mail & Guardian Online - Johannesburg,South Africa
The government of Lesotho believes it has uncovered a plot by opposition political parties to assassinate some government ministers and business people, government spokesperson Mothejoa Metsing said on Friday ... "I have a list of the names of government ministers and some business