Completely surrounded by the Republic of South Africa, the Kingdom of Lesotho was known as Basutoland prior to achieving independence from the United Kingdom in 1966.
Lesotho is the home of the Basotho people, who originally lived in small tribes scattered throughout the plateaus in the area now known as Lesotho. The area was brought together in its current form under King Moshoeshoe, who united the tribes against British and Dutch colonists, forming what was then called Basutoland.
Missionaries from the Paris Evangelical Missionary Society, invited by King Moshoeshoe, developed a written language in the native Sesotho between 1837 and 1855, and assisted the new kingdom to establish diplomatic channels and to acquire weapons for its defense against European colonists and neighboring tribes, largely Trekboers from the Cape Colony.
The Basotho emerged victorious and united under King Moshoeshoe, who repelled several waves of invaders, European and African. After halting a few British incursions into Basutoland, King Moshoeshoe made peace with the British temporarily in the early 1850s. The British pulled out of Basutoland in 1854, but Moshoeshoe lost a large portion of the western lowlands to the Boers after a series of wars, ending in 1867. King Moshoeshoe appealed to the British for protection, and Basutoland became a British Protectorate in 1868.
The British signed a treaty with the Boers that defined the boundaries of Basutoland in 1869, ceding the western territories and reducing Moshoeshoe's kingdom to half its previous size. Moshoeshoe died in 1870, which marked the beginning of the colonial era for Lesotho.
Beginning in 1871, Britain treated Basutoland as it did the territories that had been forcefully annexed, moving administrative functions to Cape Colony. This change in status angered the Basotho, and leading to the Gun War in 1881. Also known as the Basuto War, the Gun War was largely over the rights of the Basuto people to bear arms. In 1881, Britain restored the status of Basutoland to that of a Protectorate, although it remained under direct rule by a governor appointed by the British. Had the Cape Colony retained control of Basutoland, it would have become part of the Republic of South Africa.
During the 1900s, the Basotho gained greater autonomy under British administration, and requested self-government in 1955. Political parties were formed. The Basotho National Party won the first Lesotho elections in 1965, the chief plank of its platform being independence from Britain. The BNP candidate, Chief Leabua Jonathan, was elected prime minister.
In 1966, Basutoland became independent from Britain, becoming the Kingdom of Lesotho. As was often the case post-independence, the new government did not travel an easy course. Chief Jonathan proved to be an unpopular ruler. After attaining power, he suspended the constitution, expelled King Moshoeshoe II, and banned opposition parties.
Chief Jonathan was deposed in a military coup in 1986, who restored King Moshoeshoe II as head of state. However, in 1990, the king was again exiled, this time by the coup leader. The king's son, Letsie III, ascended to the throne in 1992, but was allowed only ceremonial powers.
In 1994, Letsie III mounted a coup that deposed the Basotho Congress Party government, after the BCP refused to reinstate his father, King Moshoeshoe II, but the new government failed to receive international recognition, and the BCP rule was reinstated.
Other parties were formed, elections were contested, and other coups and attempted coups have taken place since the last being in 2014.
The Kingdom of Lesotho is a constitutional monarchy, with the prime minister as head of the government. The king serves in a ceremonial role, and is not permitted to participate in political initiatives.
Currently, a political movement within Lesotho calls for the annexation of the country by South Africa.
Although most of the country's population depends on subsistence farming or by agriculture, the country also produces garments for several American brands and retailers. Diamonds are also mined in Lesotho.
Nearly the entire population of Lesotho are Basotho people, and 90% identify as Christian. Lesotho's literacy rate is one of the highest in Africa and, unlike most other African countries, its female literacy rate is higher than its male rate. However, Lesotho has one of the highest HIV/AIDS rates in the world, a problem that is being addressed by its government and international organizations. This struggle is compounded by the fact that sexual violence is a serious problem in Lesotho, with more than 60% of women being victims at some point in their lives.
Recommended Resources
The official Visa website for the Kingdom of Lesotho allows those wishing to visit the South African country to apply for a visa online, make payments, and receive their visa confirmation through the site. The site offers general information about the country, its visa application and passport requirements, passport guidelines and required documents, tourist information, and contacts.
http://evisalesotho.com/
Packaged tours to the South African country of Lesotho are highlighted, including their duration, photos and other details, prices, and contacts. Shorter-term sightseeing packages are also included, offering the same details. Activities and promotional offers are featured, along with a list of recommended hotels, transportation options, and a gallery of photographs. Guest testimonials are included.
http://www.travellesotho.com/
Government Directory of Lesotho
Powered by African Directory Services, the site lists Lesotho government institutions alphabetically by location and sector, each listing including the organization or agency's name, a brief description, its vision and mission, contact people, phone numbers, email and web addresses, photographs, and other information. Its terms and policies, contacts, statistics, and a profile of the business is included. Advertising opportunities maybe available.
http://www.lesothogov.net/
Created and presented by the Lesotho Tourism and Development Corporation in Maseru, Lesotho, the website offers a guide to tourist attractions and tourist routes in Lesotho, along with a downloadable tourism brochure, adventures, activities, and events within the country, a list of guest accommodations and a map showing their locations. Other resources include an interactive map of attractions, a detailed road map, travel tips, and recommendations to travel agents.
http://www.visitlesotho.travel/
Lesotho restaurants, shopping venues, law firms, real estate agencies, contractors, hotels, schools, and other businesses and services are listed in this guide, which includes addresses, phone numbers, business descriptions, and URLs. Content may be found by browsing topic categories or location, or by searching by keyword or location. New content may be submitted to the site for consideration.
http://www.lesothoyp.com/
The LRA was established by the Lesotho Parliament in 2001 and charged with the assessment, collection, and remittance to the government of public revenues in Lesotho. Its mandate, services, and authority are outlined on its site, along with its office locations, hours, and contacts. Other resources include legislation and policies, electronic customs, and an overview of its anti-fraud programs.
http://www.lra.org.ls/
The electronic edition of the print newspaper covers news and sports highlights, business and economy issues and events, entertainment venues, opinion columns, letters to the editor, and other features. A subscription to the print newspaper may be purchased through the site, or full access to its content is available in PDF format with a subscription. Advertising opportunities are presented.
http://www.lestimes.com/
National University of Lesotho
Situated in Roma, southeast of Maseru, the capital of Lesotho, the university is government operated, and includes faculties and departments for agriculture, education, health sciences, humanities, law, science and technology, and social sciences. Its accreditation status, academic and alumni programs, library services, institutes, research facilities and programs, admissions policies, schedules, and contacts are posted.
http://www.nul.ls/
The Highlands Journey - Lesotho
The tourist guide to Lesotho offers information about passport and visa requirements for visiting the country, its currencies, vehicle requirements, customs regulations, local customs, and recommended clothing, as well as recommended places to visit within the country, guest accommodations, and a map of the country. Lesotho parks and national heritage sites are highlighted, along with embassy locations and contacts.
http://golesotho.co.za/
The official website of the Kingdom of Lesotho offers a profile and history of the South African country, its departments and ministries, administrative offices, and services, along with information about education within Lesotho, health services, and the economy, as well as a guide to places of interest within the country, with a focus on tourism. Its legislature, executive branch, and judiciary are outlined.
http://gov.ls/
Located in Maseru, the capital of the Kingdom of Lesotho, the American embassy offers a variety of services to United States citizens within the country, including travel advisories, emergency notifications and messages, passport and visa issues, and other services. The embassy also serves to represent the United States and offers services to Lesotho citizens wanting to do business or study in the United States.
https://ls.usembassy.gov/
A map showing the location of the Kingdom of Lesotho, as well as its primary cities, is presented by the United States Central Intelligence Agency. Other resources include a profile of the South African country, its geographical features, government, people, language, and culture, as well as an economic profile, energy, and communications infrastructure, transportation issues, and military and security matters.
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/lt.html
