Lesotho - African Countries | Gateway Africa Safaris

Lesotho map

Lesotho flag

Flag description: divided diagonally from the lower hoist side corner; the upper half is white, bearing the brown silhouette of a large shield with crossed spear and club; the lower half is a diagonal blue band with a green triangle in the corner.

Location: Southern Africa, surrounded by South Africa.

Geographic coordinates: 29 30 S, 28 30 E

Climate: temperate; cool to cold, dry winters; hot, wet summers.

Independence: 4 October 1966 (from UK).

Nationality: Mosotho (singular), Basotho (plural).

Capital City: Maseru.

Population: 2,143,141

Head of State: King LETSIE III (since 7 February 1996);

Area: 30,355 sq km.

Type of Government: parliamentary constitutional monarchy.

Currency: 1 loti (L) = 100 lisente; note - maloti (M) is the plural form of loti.

Major peoples: Sotho 99.7%, Europeans, Asians, and other 0.3%.

Religion: Christian 80%, indigenous beliefs 20%.

Official Language: English.

Principal Languages: Sesotho (southern Sotho), English (official), Zulu, Xhosa.

Major Exports: manufactures 75% (clothing, footwear, road vehicles), wool and mohair, food and live animals (1998).

History: Lesotho was sparsely populated by the SAN (Bushmen) until the late 16th century. During the 17th and 18th centuries refugees from tribal wars in the surrounding areas entered Lesotho. In the early 19th century, Paramount Chief MOSHESHWE, who ruled from about 1820 to 1870, welded the Basuto nation out of these diverse Bantu-speaking peoples. From 1858 to 1868 the Basuto were at war with the Boers.

The latter won a large piece of Basuto land, and to prevent further loss, Mosheshwe requested British protection. Thus in 1868 the kingdom became a British protectorate. From 1884 to 1959 it was, like Botswana and Swaziland, a British High Commission territory. On Oct. 4, 1966, independence was granted.

Until 1970, Lesotho was a constitutional monarchy, with a hereditary king who appointed the prime minister and cabinet. In 1970, following a disputed election, the prime minister, Dr. J. Leabua Jonathan, declared a state of emergency, suspended the constitution, and took away all political authority from the king, Mosheshwe II.

Meanwhile, relations with South Africa worsened. Lesotho, which had long admitted black South African refugees (including members of the outlawed African National Congress), refused to sign a non aggression pact with South Africa. In retaliation, South Africa imposed strict border controls that severely restricted the flow of food and other vital supplies into Lesotho. The resultant economic crisis and discontent with Jonathan's autocratic policies led to a military coup on Jan. 20, 1986. Gen. Justin Lekhanya, head of the new ruling military council, was more conciliatory toward South Africa.

In 1990 he stripped King Mosheshwe II of his powers, although the king remained titular head of state. In November he deposed the king, then in exile; the former king's eldest son became King Letsie III. Lekhanya was overthrown in another coup in April 1991. Mosheshwe II returned to Lesotho in July 1992.

The ruling military council would not permit the ex-monarch to resume the throne, even if his son abdicated in his favour, until after the country had returned to civilian rule under a new constitution. Elections were scheduled for Nov. 28, 1992, but were not held.

Lesotho - Countries in Africa.