NUL-Political & Administrative Studies Department

LESOTHO AT 60
1966 - 2026
A Concept Note for an Academic Conference Commemorating Sixty Years of Independence

Organised by:
Department of Political and Administrative Studies
National University of Lesotho
Conference Dates: 24-25 September 2026
Venue: National University of Lesotho, Roma Campus
1. BACKGROUND AND INTRODUCTION
The Kingdom of Lesotho gained independence from Great Britain on October 4, 1966. As in many postcolonial states, the end of European colonial rule was celebrated as a watershed moment, marking a decisive shift toward self-governance, sovereignty, and the reclamation of national identity. Uniquely among many African countries, Lesotho’s independence was achieved peacefully, without the violence typically associated with liberation struggles. This peaceful transition nonetheless carried the weight of enormous public expectations - of democratic self-determination, socioeconomic upliftment, and the affirmation of Basotho cultural identity on the world stage.
On 4 October 1966, Basotho witnessed the formal transition from the British Protectorate of Basutoland to the independent Kingdom of Lesotho through a combination of national ceremonies, official flag-raisings, and vibrant cultural displays. The annual commemoration of Independence Day has since become a fixture in the national calendar, a moment of both celebration and reflection. Sixty years on, in 2026, this anniversary assumes a heightened significance - it is an opportune moment not merely to celebrate, but to engage in rigorous, evidence-based stocktaking of what has been achieved, what has been lost, and what remains to be done.
Due to its almost entirely homogeneous Basotho population, Lesotho was largely spared the most acute nation-building challenges that beset many post-colonial African states. Yet state-building - the construction of effective, legitimate, and accountable institutions of governance - has remained an enduring preoccupation. The record is mixed: remarkable achievements in literacy, regional diplomacy, and democratic representation have been accompanied by persistent political instability, economic dependency, and growing social insecurity.
Among its notable achievements, Lesotho boasts one of the highest adult literacy rates in Africa, estimated at approximately 80%, reflecting decades of investment in primary and secondary education, including the historic role of missionary institutions and the Catholic Church. The country has made significant strides in advancing women’s political participation, with female representation in parliament and public office increasing substantially over the past two decades. On the international stage, Lesotho has established itself as an engaged member of the multilateral system, holding active memberships in the United Nations, the Commonwealth, the African Union, and the Southern African Development Community (SADC). It is within the SADC context that Lesotho played a notable diplomatic and logistical role during the struggle against apartheid in South Africa.
Yet these achievements must be measured against enduring structural challenges. Lesotho has been consistently characterised by chronic political instability, which has on several occasions resulted in the direct intervention of the military in politics - a phenomenon uncommon in Southern Africa and deeply corrosive of democratic governance norms. In recent years, Lesotho has experienced a serious internal security crisis, marked by rising homicide rates, the proliferation of illegal fi****ms, and the emergence of violent gang networks in urban and peri-urban areas. Economically, the country remains heavily dependent on South Africa for imports, remittances, employment, and trade - a structural vulnerability that constrains sovereign economic policymaking. High youth unemployment, persistent poverty, and growing inequality further challenge the optimism of independence.
It is against this complex backdrop - of genuine achievements and stubborn structural difficulties - that the academic conference, proposed by the Department of Political and Administrative Studies (PAS), situates itself. The sixtieth anniversary of independence offers a uniquely compelling occasion for scholars, researchers, policymakers, and civil society to convene in critical dialogue about Lesotho’s past, present, and future.
2. OBJECTIVES OF THE CONFERENCE
Among others, the conference aims:
• To provide a rigorous, multidisciplinary academic platform for the critical assessment of sixty years of Lesotho’s independence across political, economic, social, cultural, and security dimensions.
• To generate original, evidence-based scholarly contributions that document Lesotho’s developmental trajectory and identify key drivers of progress and persistent constraints.
• To facilitate constructive dialogue between academic researchers, policymakers, civil society organisations, and development practitioners on priority challenges facing Lesotho.
• To celebrate and critically examine Basotho cultural identity, national heritage, and the resilience of Lesotho’s society across six decades of independence.
• To produce a corpus of peer-reviewed academic papers suitable for publication in a recognised journal, thereby building the scholarly literature on Lesotho for future researchers and policymakers.
3. THEMATIC AREAS
i) Politics and Governance
ii) Economy and Development
iii) Youth and Unemployment
iv) Gender and Women’s Empowerment
v) Civil Society and Democracy
vi) Church, Education, and Social Development
vii) National and Public Security
viii) Culture, Identity, and National Heritage.

4. PUBLICATION PATHWAY
The organising committee will identify a credible peer-reviewed journal - or pursue a special edited volume with a reputable academic publisher - to which papers presented at the conference may be submitted for formal peer review and publication. Authors of accepted abstracts will be notified of the selected publication outlet ahead of the full paper submission deadline. All manuscripts will undergo double-blind peer review consistent with international academic publishing standards.
5. SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Contributions may take the form of an abstract of no more than 250 words with a short bio of 100 words to: [email protected] stating the appropriate subtheme that best suits their submission, as well as institutional affiliation. Upon acceptance of abstracts, presenters are expected to send 10-page slides and a well-researched manuscript of between 6,000 and 8,000 words, inclusive of footnotes and endnotes but exclusive of references and appendices.
6. IMPORTANT DATES
Submission of abstracts (250 words + 100-word bio): 31 May 2026
Notification of abstract acceptance: 12 June 2026
Conference dates: 24-25 September 2026

7. CONTACT INFORMATION
All enquiries regarding abstract submissions, registration, sponsorship, and general conference matters should be directed to Conference Secretariat: [email protected], +266 62670959

We look forward to welcoming scholars, researchers, practitioners, and public intellectuals to Roma
as we collectively mark, reflect upon, and reimagine sixty years of Lesotho’s sovereign journey.
Khotso. P**a. Nala.

The PAS Department is excited to introduce its newest member:

**Mrs. Suzan Thulo-Gadilatolwe**

**Qualifications:**
- BA in Public Administration and Political Science (National University of Lesotho)
- Master of Public Administration in Human Resource Management (University of Botswana)
- PhD in Public Administration (ongoing at the University of Botswana)

**Bio:**
Mrs Thulo-Gadilatolwe is a Lecturer in the NUL-Political & Administrative Studies Department at the NUL. She teaches courses in Introduction to Public Administration, Human Resource Management, and Rural Development.

Mrs Thulo-Gadilatolwe has experience in the private sector, non-governmental organisations, and international organisations. She served as a Human Resource Fellow at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and has expertise in consultancy, project management, and strategic organisational leadership.

Her research interests encompass public sector governance, human resource management, and organisational ethics, particularly in strengthening accountability and integrity systems. Additionally, she focuses on anti-corruption mechanisms, with a special emphasis on whistleblowing and whistleblower protection.

Don't let this pass if you're in tertiary. SADC Tertiary Essay competition for 2026.

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𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗦𝗔𝗗𝗖 𝗧𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗘𝘀𝘀𝗮𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) is pleased to announce the 2026 SADC Tertiary Institution Essay Competition, aimed at fostering greater awareness and participation of young people in advancing the region’s goals of cooperation, integration, and socio-economic development. The competition, open to all tertiary-level students across SADC Member States, is centred on the topic: “Compare and contrast the challenges faced by the SADC founders in the 20th century against the current challenges. Which lesson(s) from the SADC Founders would you advise or adapt to address today’s regional dilemma(s)?”

The top three regional winners receive prizes as follows; The First Regional Winner gets a prize of US$2,000, the Second Winner gets US$1,500, and the Third Winner gets US$1,000 and Certificates. The deadline for submission of entries to Ministries of Education in respective SADC Member States is 31st January 2026.

SADC encourages all tertiary students, educators, parents, and academic institutions to support and participate in this important regional initiative, which seeks to empower youth as key contributors to the sustainable development and unity of the SADC region.

The deadline for submission of entries to Ministries of Education in respective SADC Member States is 31st January 2026. The deadline for submission of entries to the SADC Secretariat by Ministries of Education, through their respective National Contact Points, is 28th February 2026.

For more information visit the SADC website at: https://www.sadc.int/latest-news/call-entries-2026-sadc-tertiary-institution-essay-competition

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Candidates for the Master of Arts in Public Administration for the 2025/26 academic year are warmly invited to the orientation on November 19, 2025, at the ISAS auditorium at 9:00 am. Your journey begins here, and we encourage you to return the acceptance forms by November 17, 2025, to embrace this exciting opportunity.

The NUL-Political & Administrative Studies Department, a department that leads 👏👏

NUL - UNDP HOSTS GROUND-BREAKING SYMPOSIUM ON WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP

In a landmark effort to champion gender equity in leadership, the National University of Lesotho (NUL), in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), hosted a high-impact Symposium on Women in Public Service Leadership at its Roma campus on Wednesday, 15th October 2025.

The event brought together a diverse array of leaders from government, academia, civil society, and the private sector to confront one pressing question: How can women be empowered to lead boldly and effectively in public life?

Opening the symposium, NUL Vice-Chancellor Prof. Olusola Fajana reaffirmed the university’s commitment to inclusive governance and gender equality. Despite global frameworks like the Beijing Declaration and SDG 5, Lesotho still sees women occupying just 15% of cabinet roles and 25% of parliamentary seats, underscoring the need for systemic change-though recent milestones, such as the country’s first female Deputy Prime Minister, signal progress.

The full-day event featured keynote addresses, panel discussions, and research-based policy presentations. Core topics included women’s political representation, economic participation, career advancement in public institutions, and institutional barriers across the judiciary, executive, and legislature.

Participants, including senior officials, councillors, academics, students, and allies, echoed a unified call to action: gender parity in leadership is not just a goal—it’s a growing movement.

The symposium solidified NUL and UNDP’s roles as key drivers of inclusive governance and gender transformation in Lesotho’s public service sector.

The NUL-Political & Administrative Studies Department is delighted to announce the release of a new book edited by our esteemed professors, Prof. Hoolo 'Nyane and Prof. Motlamelle Anthony Kapa. Many will recall that these professors previously edited and published their inaugural work titled “Coalition Politics in Lesotho” in 2022. Their latest publication is titled “Local Governance and Decentralisation in Lesotho.” This book features contributions from scholars and practitioners from both Lesotho and South Africa, addressing significant governance issues within Lesotho's local governance framework. It comes highly recommended for students, practitioners, and those engaged in governance and development.

The book will be officially launched at the Transformation Resource Centre on October 9, 2025, at 10 a.m., with copies available for purchase at M300 during the event. Following the launch, copies will be sold at TRC for M350. Additionally, we would like to remind you that copies of “Coalition Politics in Lesotho” are still available for purchase at TRC.
National University of Lesotho NUL Research and Innovations NUL- Public Administration And Political Science Association

PAS received visitors from the University of Johannesburg Department of Politics and International Relations.

In this relaxed peer meeting students and lecturers exchanged conversations around Political Studies teaching and learning; especially at the National University of Lesotho

The discussions were mainly about Lesotho politics, use of artificial intelligence (AI) in learning, sponsorship etc.

It's finally back by popular demand. The Master of Public Administration (MPA) is now open for enrolment for the upcoming Academic Year 2025/2026. Apply online at www.nul.ls

Our department has a job opening for a Lecturer/Senior Lecturer position. Apply and join our dynamic erudite team.

📌 Join us at 10am