LESOTHO'S SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGES FOR THE 21ST CENTURY: A GEO-POLITXCAL PERSPECTIVE

ABSTRACT

Research into development prospects for Lesotho indicates that the country faces formidable sustainable development challenges for the 21st century. The country's geo-political situation as an enclave of South Africa poses constraints in terms of diversity of foreign trade and foreign relations necessary for sustainable development. Environmental degradation is on the increase due to inter alia, unfavourable climatic conditions, land degradation, population increase and poor rural land use planning and management which have resulted in uncontrolled rural and urban settlement. The country's high population growth poses a serious threat to sustainable resource utilization and management in the twenty first century.

Over bureaucratization, inefficiency, corruption, nepotism, self-aggrandizement and lack of accountability have plagued Lesotho since independence and hampered efforts to achieve sustainable development. More recently, Lesotho's efforts at sustainable development were dealt a final blow by the September 1998 political riots, which destroyed infrastructure meant for the sustainable provision of economic and social services, leaving the country more dependent on South Africa.

This paper argues that the search for sustainable development in Lesotho for the 21st century, amongst others, must be sought in the reduction of foreign economic dependence and manpower and administrative inefficiencies. Furthermore, the strengthening of public accountability, and a sustainable democratic government and political system are necessary for good governance.