Forgotten World (144): Lesotho
Lesotho – an African country with a population of less than 2 million – cannot be seen apart from South Africa. First, it is totally surrounded by the territory of the much larger state. Second, over the decades thousands of workers have been forced by the lack of job opportunities to find work at South African mines. Third, South Africa has on several occasions intervened in Lesotho’s politics, including in 1998 when it sent its troops to help quell unrest.
Lesotho is made up mostly of highlands where many of the villages can be reached only on horseback, by foot or light aircraft. Major construction work has been under way in recent years to create the Lesotho Highlands Water Project to supply South Africa with fresh water.
Since the former British protectorate gained its independence in 1966, it has had a turbulent, if not particularly bloody, period of independence with several parties, army factions and the royal family competing for power in coups and mutinies. The position of king has been reduced to a symbolic and unifying role.