Maseru - History

Although it is a young independent nation, Lesotho’s history goes back millions of years.

Fossilised dinosaur trails and discoveries of petrified wood testify to a long natural history, while later the San (bushmen) have left their cave paintings as relics of their later occupation.

A very rural country, the land that is Lesotho was first inhabited by small groups of people from the Nguni branch of the Bantu family, the Mapolane, the Maphetla and the Baphuthi.

The first Sesotho- speaking people were the Bafokeng, who lived side by side with their San neighbours.

The Basotho nation was forged by their first king, Moshoeshoe the Great. The early and mid 1800's was a time of great turmoil in Southern Africa, with groups of people moving around and much warfare and even cannibalism taking place. Moshoeshoe was a minor chief, and he' and his followers were defending a mountain fortress near Butha Buthe. The rivers of the Lowlands have carved the sandstone away and in some places have formed flat-topped, free standing mountains. A follower of Moshoeshoe discovered an ideal such site east of modern day Maseru, and Moshoeshoe moved there. It was a large flat-topped mountain with only seven ways up through the sandstone cliffs to the summit, and thus easily defendable. It had natural springs, and was so able to support many people (up to 3000 sought refuge there at times) and their animals.

They called the place Thaba Bosiu, meaning "mountain at night". From this fortress, Moshoeshoe was able to hold out against many attacks and, as his reputation grew, more people were drawn to his protection. Thaba Bosiu held out against attacks from the Ndebele under Mzilikazi, the Griquas, the Boers on several occasions and the British under the control of General Cathcart. His wise and compassionate way of dealing with those he defeated, particularly Cathcart, added to the reputation he had built up, and ultimately, his survival.

In 1867/8 the Boers from the Orange Free State again attacked and overran almost all of Moshoeshoe's lands. With the pressure mounting Moshoeshoe appealed to the British for protection and, in March 1868, the country became a British protectorate and thus the Basotho were saved. Under the terms of the agreement ending the war, the present day boundaries of the country were established. The Basotho lost much of their territory. They had previously occupied much good farming land west of the Caledon river which they were forced to cede to the Boers. This eventually led to many people migrating from these areas to the Lowlands. This population pressure gradually forced people to move further and further up the river valleys and deeper into the mountains. Here they came into contact with the last ren-mants of the San (Bushmen), and the hunter/gatherers were assimilated out into extinction.

For a time, Basutoland (as the country was then called) came under the rule of the Cape Colony, and this caused increasing friction. Eventually the Gun War of 1880/1 broke out, with most of the country in open rebellion. The final result of all of this was the return of the country to direct rule from London. This remained the situation until the country's independence in 1966, (they declined the opportunity to join the Union of South Africa in 1910). The country became a constitutional monarchy with Moshoeshoe II the king and the political power vested in an elected parliament. The Basuto National Party won the first elections, and chief Leabua Jonathan became Prime Minister.

The BNP were set to lose the 1970 elections to the Basotho Congress Party under Ntsu Mokhehle, but Jonathan suspended the constitution and remained in power until 1986. He was then overthrown by Major General Lekhanya in a military coup. Lekhanya himself was ousted in 1991 and the new military leader Major General Ramaeina, promised a return to democracy. Elections were held in early 1993 and were won resoundingly by the BCP. Ntsu Mokhehle finally got the job of Prime Minister of Lesotho.

Since the elections, Lesotho has suffered military, constitutional and political instability. The army and police were largely installed under previous BNP governments, and have chafed under BCP control. This has led to a number of mutinies and other acts of insubordination. There has also been change within the monarchy. King Moshoeshoe II went into exile during the military regime and his son, Letsie III, took over the throne. After the 1993 elections, there was much talk of Moshoeshoe returning.

In mid term, Letsie dismissed the BCP government and tried to install his own caretaker
administration. This collapsed due to much internal and external pressure and the BCP government was reinstated. Soon thereafter, Letsie abdicated in favour of his father who returned from exile in London. Moshoeshoe's second spell on the throne did not last long, he died in a car crash. Letsie III is Lesotho's king again. On the political front, Mokhehle was facing growing opposition from within his own party. Before this could come to a head at a party congress, he and a majority of MPs crossed the floor of parliament and formed a new political party. So Mokhehle is still Prime Minister. None of this turmoil seems to have any effect on life outside of Maseru. Elections are due in 1998 - we live in interesting times!!

The colonial past of Lesotho is clearly apparent in its major towns. All started off as administrative "camps," with district commissioners and all administrative functions. Only later did the Basotho come to live around these "camps" and urban areas formed. Thus most of Lesotho's towns have a nucleus of old colonial sandstone buildings housing government departments, post offices and banks.