AGP Executive Report

Xenophobia and migration fears: South Africa-based Emaswati factory workers say employers have told them to stay home as anti-immigration pressure builds ahead of a June 30 deadline, while Lesotho’s foreign affairs ministry and consulates in Johannesburg and Pretoria urge Basotho and Emaswati to register and rely on official channels for safety. Regional economic diplomacy: Lesotho’s Prime Minister Ntsokoane Matekane leads the country’s delegation to the 9th SACU Summit in Cape Town, where leaders will review SACU’s strategic plan and discuss industrial development and trade integration. Mental health reform push: Lesotho’s parliamentary leadership says mental health has reached a crisis, calling for updated laws and stronger political commitment, as stakeholders urge a shift away from stigma and outdated beliefs. Governance and accountability: Matekane also says Lesotho will institutionalise a results-focused approach to public service delivery, with leaders held to measurable targets and transparent reporting. Biodiversity and rights: Lesotho launches Access and Benefit-Sharing Week to strengthen implementation of the Nagoya Protocol, linking traditional knowledge to fair benefit sharing. Local inclusion concern: A Lesotho visually impaired rights group warns some children are still hidden from education and healthcare, urging universal access.

SACU Summit Watch: Lesotho’s PM Ntsokoane Matekane leads the country’s delegation to the 9th SACU Heads of State summit in Cape Town, where leaders will review the SACU Strategic Plan and push regional integration, industrial development and trade cooperation. Mental Health Crisis: Parliamentary Chair of Chairs Mokhothu Makhalanyane says Lesotho’s mental health system is at crisis level and needs urgent law reform and political will, while Reverend Dr Mosiuoa Makhata urges a shift away from witchcraft explanations toward a more informed, holistic approach. Governance Push: PM Matekane wrapped up a National Leadership and Accountability Summit, calling for action over talk and promising measurable results through stronger accountability and transparency. Traditional Knowledge & Biodiversity: Lesotho is gearing up for ABS Week 2026 to strengthen implementation of the Nagoya Protocol, linking Basotho biodiversity knowledge with fair access and benefit-sharing. Rights & Inclusion: LNLVIP warns that visually impaired children are still being hidden from services like education and healthcare, urging full inclusion. Local Tech Boost: Starlink is now active in Lesotho after a 10-year licence, with satellite internet reaching police and remote areas. Regional Migration Tensions: South Africa’s anti-illegal immigration protests on 30 June are drawing fresh pushback and warnings against violence, with xenophobia fears spilling across the region.

Migration Tensions in South Africa: As June 30 approaches, anti-foreigner groups and police readiness are in the spotlight, with March and March leaders denying any “shutdown” call while community concerns grow over xenophobic violence and the impact on migrants. Lesotho Governance Push: Lesotho’s Prime Minister Sam Matekane says government will institutionalise accountability, transparency and measurable results, drawing lessons from Rwanda, while Lesotho also moves to strengthen protection of traditional knowledge under the Nagoya Protocol. ABS Week and Biodiversity Rights: Lesotho’s Access and Benefit-Sharing Week 2026 kicks off to build consensus on how Basotho knowledge and biodiversity benefits should be protected and shared fairly. Regional Integration: President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to open South Africa’s-hosted 9th SACU summit, bringing together Lesotho and other member states to push trade and industrial development. Digital Connectivity: Starlink is now active in Lesotho after receiving a 10-year licence in April 2025, with reports showing receivers on police vehicles and growing access in remote areas. Child Rights and Inclusion: Lesotho’s visually impaired rights group warns some children are still hidden from education and healthcare, ahead of Day of African Child.

Starlink in Lesotho: Elon Musk shared that Starlink is now active in Lesotho, after the country received a 10-year operating licence in April 2025—sparking fresh debate with South Africans who still lack similar access. Governance push: Lesotho is hosting a National Leadership Forum (21–23 June) and a July accountability summit, with Prime Minister Sam Matekane stressing measurable results, transparency and lessons drawn from Rwanda. Traditional knowledge protection: Lesotho is linking traditional knowledge to the Nagoya Protocol, with ABS Week 2026 aimed at building an Access and Benefit-Sharing mechanism for biodiversity and medicinal plants. World Bank funding: Lesotho and the World Bank signed three agreements worth over M840m for clean energy access, skills development and multisectoral nutrition. Rights for visually impaired children: LNLVIP warns some parents still hide visually impaired children, denying education and healthcare, ahead of Day of the African Child. Regional ties: Botswana and Lesotho vowed to deepen cooperation through the new Bi-National Commission, prioritising water, energy, trade and investment. South Africa migration pressure (regional spillover): Xenophobia and migration enforcement continue to drive fear and displacement, with King Misuzulu urging restraint and peaceful, lawful solutions.

Immigration Policy Deadline Pressure: South Africa’s Home Affairs has opened consultations on the future of the Zimbabwe Exemption Permit (ZEP) and Lesotho Exemption Permit (LEP) after a court ruling halted termination, but community leaders say submissions are still low as the extended deadline nears. Royal Call for Restraint: Zulu King Misuzulu urged people not to attack foreign nationals, saying immigration problems must be handled lawfully and peacefully. Migration Crisis in Durban: Reports from Sherwood, Durban describe thousands of migrants, mainly Malawians, sheltering in worsening conditions while awaiting processing and repatriation amid anti-foreigner tensions. Lesotho ABS Push: Lesotho is holding ABS Week 2026 to strengthen implementation of the Nagoya Protocol, linking Basotho traditional knowledge with rules for access and benefit-sharing. Public Accountability Drive: Prime Minister Sam Matekane says government will institutionalise accountability, transparency and measurable results through a national dialogue and summit. World Bank Financing for Lesotho: Lesotho and the World Bank signed over M840m in deals to expand clean energy access, skills development and nutrition outcomes. Connectivity Boost: Starlink has been activated in Lesotho, with the service now reaching police and remote areas.

Nagoya Protocol & ABS Week: Lesotho is gearing up to strengthen protection of traditional knowledge and genetic resources, with government, communities and experts meeting to build a practical Access and Benefit-Sharing mechanism under the Nagoya Protocol. Disability rights: The Lesotho National League of Visually Impaired Persons says some parents still hide visually impaired children, cutting them off from education and healthcare ahead of Day of African Child. Child wellbeing & hygiene: Officials launched menstrual health and hygiene support in Mafeteng, urging parents to discuss puberty openly and calling for better support for girls. World Bank financing: Lesotho and the World Bank signed M840m+ deals to expand clean energy access, boost skills development and improve nutrition outcomes. Digital push for youth: Lesotho launched an AI Skills Development Programme to help youth enterprises use e-commerce and AI tools. Governance & delivery gaps: An Auditor-General report flags weak performance in the CAFI project, citing low spending against targets. Regional ties: Botswana and Lesotho pledged deeper cooperation through a binational commission focused on water, energy, trade and investment. South Africa migration pressure (regional impact): Durban’s Sherwood crisis continues as thousands of migrants wait amid overcrowding and uncertainty, while political debate over immigration enforcement intensifies.

Regional Diplomacy and Governance: Botswana and Lesotho have launched a new Botswana–Lesotho Bi-National Commission, pledging action on water, energy, trade, investment, agriculture and security as both sides push for fewer cross-border barriers. Migration Pressure in South Africa: Durban’s Sherwood has become a large holding and processing site for thousands of migrants, with humanitarian groups warning of worsening conditions as anti-foreigner threats and deportation deadlines loom. Lesotho–World Bank Deal: Lesotho and the World Bank signed financing agreements worth over M840m to expand clean energy access, boost skills development and improve nutrition outcomes. Digital Connectivity: Starlink is now active in Lesotho after receiving a 10-year licence in April 2025, bringing satellite internet to police vehicles and remote areas. Public Health and Youth: Lesotho launched an AI Skills Development Programme to help youth enterprises use e-commerce and AI tools, while World Vision rolled out a child wellbeing strategy focused on ending violence against children and improving health, nutrition and water access. Fuel Price Clarity: Lesotho’s Petroleum Fund moved to correct public confusion, saying it does not supply petrol directly but monitors pricing and the supply chain.

Cabinet shake-up: Prime Minister Ntsokoane Matekane has dismissed two ministers and reshuffled portfolios, with the rationale still unclear and government saying it can’t fully explain the changes. World Bank funding: Lesotho and the World Bank signed three agreements worth over M841m to expand clean energy access, boost skills development and improve nutrition outcomes. Border and migration pressure: South Africa’s tightening immigration enforcement is driving mass displacement, with thousands of migrants sheltering at Durban’s Sherwood Hall amid fears of renewed xenophobic violence. Digital connectivity for police and remote areas: Starlink is now active in Lesotho after the country’s 10-year licence, bringing satellite internet to police vehicles and hard-to-reach communities. Environment and accountability: The Ombudsman has criticised the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority over displacement and compensation failures in Polihali, while a Maseru clean-up initiative is restoring a neglected site for public use. Education and jobs: Lecturers warn competency-based education won’t work unless teacher training, classroom delivery and assessment are aligned, as Lesotho also launches an AI skills programme to spur youth enterprise.

Sherwood migrant crisis in Durban: A quiet hall in Sherwood has turned into a large holding and processing site for thousands of Malawians, with police presence initially creating a sense of safety that later gave way to overcrowding, long queues for food and water, and sanitation breakdowns. Connectivity push: Starlink says it is now active in Lesotho after the country granted it a 10-year licence in April 2025, with police and remote areas among early beneficiaries. World Bank funding for Lesotho: Lesotho and the World Bank signed three agreements worth over M841m to expand clean energy access, boost skills development, and improve nutrition outcomes. Women’s health education: Parents and guardians were urged to discuss puberty and biological changes with daughters as Lesotho rolls out a menstrual health and hygiene project. Fuel price confusion: Officials clarified that Lesotho’s Petroleum Fund does not supply petrol, but monitors pricing structures and the supply chain as costs rise. Education delivery warning: Lecturers warn competency-based education won’t work unless teacher training, classroom instruction, and assessment are aligned. Governance and accountability: The Auditor-General flags slow spending and weak results in Lesotho’s CAFI project, while an Ombudsman report criticises LHDA over displacement and compensation failures in Polihali. Regional ties: Botswana and Lesotho reaffirmed plans to deepen cooperation through a binational commission focused on water, energy, trade, and investment.

Starlink Rollout: Elon Musk reposted that Starlink satellite internet is now active in Lesotho, after the Lesotho Communications Authority granted Starlink a 10-year licence in April 2025—bringing faster connectivity to police vehicles and remote areas. World Bank Financing: Lesotho and the World Bank signed three agreements worth over M840m to expand clean energy access, boost skills development, and improve nutrition outcomes. Menstrual Health Push: Deputy Prime Minister Justice Nthomeng Majara urged parents to talk openly with daughters about puberty and biological changes, as Lesotho launched a menstrual health and hygiene project. Child Wellbeing Strategy: World Vision Lesotho unveiled a 2026–2030 child wellbeing strategy focused on ending violence against children, improving health and nutrition, and strengthening water and sanitation. Fuel Price Confusion: Officials moved to clarify that Lesotho’s Petroleum Fund does not supply petrol directly, as rising fuel costs continue to drive up transport fares and basic goods prices. Education Accountability: Lecturers warned competency-based graduates won’t improve unless teacher training, classroom delivery, and assessment are aligned. Governance Watch: The Auditor-General flagged CAFI’s weak spending and implementation, while the Ombudsman renewed criticism over failures in prison and mental health conditions.

Cabinet Shake-Up: Prime Minister Ntsokoane Matekane dismissed two ministers in a major reshuffle, reassigning portfolios after King Letsie III’s approval, leaving the public still waiting for clear reasons. Public Finance Watch: The Auditor-General says Lesotho’s CAFI project is effectively stalled, with only 41% of its revised budget spent by March 31, 2024, despite its goal to boost private-sector competitiveness and financial inclusion. Human Rights & Accountability: The Ombudsman reports government failures to fix prison and mental health conditions, with almost none of 2023 recommendations fully implemented. Child Protection Push: World Vision Lesotho launched its 2026–2030 child wellbeing strategy, targeting about 650,000 vulnerable children with a focus on violence prevention, health, nutrition, water and sanitation. Environment in Focus: Clean-up efforts in Maseru restored a neglected site and aim to turn it into a recreational park, while highlighting ongoing waste disposal problems. Regional Cooperation: Botswana and Lesotho vowed to deepen strategic ties through a new binational commission, prioritising water, energy, trade and investment. Cross-Border Rules: SARS ended the long-standing SACU vehicle exemption, requiring Lesotho commuters to declare cars as temporary imports when entering South Africa. Fuel Price Clarity: The Petroleum Fund moved to correct public confusion, stressing it does not supply petrol but oversees pricing structures and monitors the supply chain.

Taxi Fares Shock: Maseru commuters face a looming 79% taxi fare jump, with city routes rising from M13 to M23 and long-distance charges climbing—sparking fears households will be priced off the road. Disability Exclusion: Advocates warn the hike is a “triple blow” for Basotho with disabilities, who often need transport for rehab, physiotherapy and medication, with costs hitting them, their assistants and wheelchair users hardest. Public Accountability on LHWP: The Ombudsman has criticised the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority over displacement in Polihali, citing broken promises, weak consultation and poor compensation that left families destitute. Education Delivery Gap: Lecturers warn Lesotho’s competency-based curriculum will fail unless teacher training, classroom instruction and assessment are aligned—calling out “same medicine, different bottles” problems. Government Finance Reality Check: Auditor-General findings highlight CAFI’s implementation failure, with spending capacity at just 41% of its revised budget, despite its goal to boost private-sector competitiveness and financial inclusion. Environment Cleanup in Maseru: Clean Lesotho Initiatives restored a neglected Maseru site by clearing waste and overgrown vegetation, with plans to turn it into a recreational park. Regional Diplomacy: Lesotho and Botswana reaffirmed plans to deepen cooperation through the Bi-National Commission, prioritising water, energy, trade, governance and people-to-people links. Health & Youth: World Vision launches a child wellbeing strategy in Berea, while Lesotho also rolls out an AI skills programme for youth enterprises with US support.

Cabinet shake-up: Prime Minister Ntsokoane Matekane has dismissed two ministers and reshuffled portfolios after King Letsie III’s approval, leaving many in Maseru asking what drove the sudden changes. Public finance scrutiny: The Auditor-General says the Competitiveness and Financial Inclusion Project (CAFI) has spent only 41% of its revised budget, despite being meant to boost private-sector growth. Human rights watchdog: The Ombudsman reports government failures to fix prison and mental health conditions, with almost none of 2023 recommendations fully implemented. Transport squeeze: A proposed 79% taxi fare jump has sparked commuter fury, with disabled Basotho warning the hike will deepen exclusion. Border rules hit daily life: SARS is set to end SACU vehicle exemptions, requiring Lesotho-registered cars to be declared as temporary imports when entering South Africa. Water and displacement: The Ombudsman also slams the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority over displacement in Polihali, citing poor consultation and compensation failures. Health and jobs push: Lesotho launched an AI skills programme for youth enterprises, while the Ministry of Health unveiled a M2.3bn investment case targeting maternal and child health, family planning, and GBV.

Botswana–Lesotho ties: Presidents Duma Boko and Prime Minister Sam Matekane pledged to deepen cooperation through a new binational commission, with priority focus on water and energy, trade and investment, agriculture, education, defence and natural resources—plus plans for a Lesotho dam and hydropower link, and Botswana’s pledge of 100,000 foot-and-mouth vaccine doses. Child wellbeing push: World Vision Lesotho launched a new child wellbeing strategy in Berea, aiming for community-driven, low-cost high-impact support, including ending violence against children and improving health outcomes. US–Lesotho partnership: A US Africa Command envoy reaffirmed strong friendship despite trade tariffs affecting jobs, highlighting talks on border security, possible drone use, and a disaster-response command centre. Fuel and fares pressure: Officials moved to clarify the Petroleum Fund’s role as a pricing watchdog (not a fuel supplier) as costs rise; meanwhile, Lesotho faces transport strain with reports of a major taxi fare hike and concerns it will hit disabled people hardest. Public finance and rights: An Auditor-General report flags CAFI’s weak spending (41% of budget) and an Ombudsman follow-up says government largely failed to act on prison and mental health recommendations. Education and governance: Lecturers warn competency-based education won’t work without aligned teaching and assessment; and a cabinet reshuffle dismissed two ministers, leaving questions over the rationale.

Migration & Border Pressure: Durban’s Sherwood site is packed with migrants awaiting processing and repatriation, with residents describing filthy toilets, heavy smells, and worsening sanitation as queues stretch and uncertainty drags on. Regional Trade Push: Botswana and Lesotho are using a business forum in Gaborone to push intra-African trade, investment and safer movement of business people despite inflation and commodity shortages. Lesotho-US Tech Leap: Lesotho and the US move to build an AI future, with youth-focused digital training also getting a boost through a new AI skills programme tied to the Sebabatso initiative. Public Finance Reality Check: The Auditor-General flags CAFI’s weak delivery, with only 41% of its revised budget spent by March 2024, deepening concerns about implementation capacity. Fuel Price Confusion: The Petroleum Fund says it does not supply petrol, only monitors pricing and the supply chain—amid rising transport fares and basic goods costs. Transport Costs Hit the Vulnerable: A proposed taxi fare hike is drawing backlash, with disabled Basotho warning they face a “triple blow” because transport is not optional for them. Governance & Accountability: The Ombudsman slams the LHDA over displacement in Polihali, citing poor consultation and compensation failures. Education & Inclusion: Lecturers warn competency-based education will fail unless teaching, classroom delivery and assessment are aligned to local realities and learners’ needs.

Cabinet shake-up: Prime Minister Ntsokoane Matekane has dismissed two ministers and reshuffled portfolios after King Letsie III’s approval, leaving the rationale unclear and raising fresh questions about direction and internal loyalty. Public finance scrutiny: The Auditor-General says the Competitiveness and Financial Inclusion (CAFI) project is effectively stalled, with only 41% of its revised budget spent by March 2024, despite claims of clean books. Local governance pressure: The Ombudsman has slammed the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority over displacement in Polihali, citing poor consultation, weak transparency, and compensation failures that have left families destitute. Cost of living and transport: Officials moved to clarify the Petroleum Fund’s role as a regulator—not a fuel supplier—as fuel prices keep pushing up fares and basic goods. Transport inclusion crisis: Disabled Basotho warn a proposed taxi fare increase will hit them hardest, with advocates calling for fares to be redesigned for affordability. Education and assessment: Lecturers warn competency-based curriculum will fail unless teaching, classroom practice, and assessment are aligned to local realities. Youth and jobs: The Sebabatso ecosystem is getting an AI Skills Development Programme to train youth enterprises in e-commerce and AI tools. Health investment: Lesotho launched a M2.3bn investment case targeting maternal deaths, child marriage, and gender-based violence, promising returns for every US dollar invested.