Water For Justice

A Nursery is developed for Semonkong Herd boys

The thrust of local government, as visualized by the Government of Lesotho, is to improve service delivery and bring services closer to the people. Districts are in charge of general district affairs, granting expert support to councils and forging links with the central government. The functions of local councils are provided and clearly spelt out in the Local Government Act 1997.These functions form the basis against which Councils can plan, budget and appropriate resources.

Chiefs have specific functions as proscribed under The Constitution of Lesotho; the Chieftainship Law 1968; the Animal/Livestock Theft Act 2003; and the Administration of Offenders and Provision of Evidence Act 1981.

Their functions include:

• Helping people identify lost items including livestock
• Upholding the rule of law
• Preventing crime
• Charging offenders
• Protecting community development projects
• Working towards peace and tranquility
• To serve as the first contact person for the community in cases of crimes
• To keep records of births, deaths and marriages of his/her people
• To be the custodians of Basotho culture and traditions

The Local governance officer from TRC, whose job is to empower communities on local government issues, went to Semonkong on a field trip to help the herd boys with the development of a Nursery Project. The project is the initiative of TRC, the Telle Community Council and the Semonkong herd boys.

TRC had realized that councils are unable to kick-start development plans, which do not necessarily need assistance from the government, plans which can be done at the local level under the supervision of the counselors.

The council together with the local chiefs identified a site which would be used for the development of a nursery for the herd boys.

Apart from generating income and keeping the herd boys away from committing unlawful acts, the project also intends to raise awareness to the Councilors, Chiefs and the community at large, that with commitment and participation from all, any projects could be established.

The herd boys and the community welcomed the project and promised to work together towards its growth and development