Caswell Tlali
TS’A-KHOLO — Yearning for the good old days!
That was the case of 88-year-old ’Malisema Mokorosi who braved the chilly morning to cast her vote at Ts’a-Kholo Primary School in Mafeteng.
For Mokorosi, no government beats the British colonial rulers in terms of creating jobs and opportunities for self-employment.
She said the present government had neglected rural communities particularly in her area where Ts’a-Kholo Dam (which means “the great dam” in Sesotho language) had for ages provided sustenance to the people.
“In the past we used to catch fish from Ts’a-Kholo Dam for domestic and commercial purposes,” Mokorosi said.
“Whites from Bloemfontein would come here and buy fish and ducks from us.”
She added: “Young men found employment at this dam.
“The dam has now dried up because it has been neglected.”
Mokorosi said under British colonial rule the dam was well maintained.
But today the once great dam has now been filled with sand, with a small stream flowing past it, she said.
Mokorosi, who was sitting beside the road after casting her vote, said if the government was serious about creating jobs it would consider resuscitating natural dams like Ts’a-Kholo.
“Even if weather conditions are beyond our powers, the government can do something to catch running water during rainy seasons,” she said.
Lesotho was a British protectorate until the country attained independence in 1966.
British rule was however deeply resented by the Basotho.
Comments are closed.