Matlala Sefale, Grade 12
UWCSA (Waterford)
How often do you hear good stories about a time of conflict? In my lifetime, only more times than I can count - about one period of conflict. 1998 remains the most memorable year in the recent history of the Kingdom of Lesotho, mostly not for good reasons. It is notorious for the lives and infrastructure that ended with it. What interests me the most about this year, however, is the contradictory sentiments that Basotho have about it.
The national elections of 1998 had a very controversial outcome; it was believed by some that the elections were rigged. This led to an outbreak of nationwide protests against the ruling party by civilians. Businesses were looted all over the ten districts, but mostly in Maseru, the capital. Hundreds of people ran around the towns carrying bags of food or pieces of furniture on their heads and shoulders from burning stores. One of my neighbors still has a table as a reminder of that time.
The Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) also rebelled against the new government in the wake of this political instability. The newly-elected prime minister, Dr. Pakalitha Mosisili, called for intervention to stabilize the nation from the Southern African Development Community (SADC). In response to his request, the SADC ordered the deployment of South Africa and Botswana’s soldiers to the small kingdom that is completely landlocked by South Africa. The military personnel battled the Lesotho army and civilians mostly around the country’s urban areas where the protests were more prominent. This resulted in a lot of casualties. No wonder the victims who made it to tell their stories are convinced that the intervention was nowhere near peaceful.
In contrast, in villages far behind the frontlines and the hills, 1998 is remembered by some as the best year of their lives. Growing up, my grandfather and uncles used to reminisce about the days when the “SADC soldiers” would drive through their village in large trucks and tanks towards their hideouts in the depths of the Maluti mountain range. They told my cousins and I about the huge parcels of foods the soldiers would drop at their doorsteps. They told us about the smiles the soldiers always wore across their faces, the effort they put into learning Sesotho so they could connect with the locals better. They told us about the laughs they shared with the soldiers at playgrounds as they kicked a brand-new ball that the soldiers gave them. In their hearts and eyes, the soldiers brought nothing but peace.
This is the year I would go back in time to if I had a time machine. I would want to witness the passion of the men and women of Lesotho as they fought in the frontlines for what they believe in - justice, honesty and peace. This is not something Basotho do as much anymore, although the need for it has never faded. I would love to see us as a nation stand up to our political leaders and make our voices heard to restore the stability of our kingdom and our status as one of the most peaceful states in the world.
I would want to make it out of the protest alive and well when the sun heads to seek refuge behind the tall mountains in the west. I would want to help a friend or relative carry home whatever they scavenged out of the looted buildings. When I get home, I would want to find a couple of “SADC soldiers” holding my grandfather’s gate open for me to enter. We would exchange smile-laced greetings and head inside and talk about the day while sharing a warm meal made from the food parcels they brought.
The reason I would want to go back in time to this year is so for the first time in my life, I could witness acts of kindness from members of security forces up-close. These days we mostly hear about police brutality and the bad of conflict. It is difficult to believe that anything good can come out of situations of conflict; hence I would want to go back in time to experience the 1998 Military Intervention in Lesotho myself.
The national elections of 1998 had a very controversial outcome; it was believed by some that the elections were rigged. This led to an outbreak of nationwide protests against the ruling party by civilians. Businesses were looted all over the ten districts, but mostly in Maseru, the capital. Hundreds of people ran around the towns carrying bags of food or pieces of furniture on their heads and shoulders from burning stores. One of my neighbors still has a table as a reminder of that time.
The Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) also rebelled against the new government in the wake of this political instability. The newly-elected prime minister, Dr. Pakalitha Mosisili, called for intervention to stabilize the nation from the Southern African Development Community (SADC). In response to his request, the SADC ordered the deployment of South Africa and Botswana’s soldiers to the small kingdom that is completely landlocked by South Africa. The military personnel battled the Lesotho army and civilians mostly around the country’s urban areas where the protests were more prominent. This resulted in a lot of casualties. No wonder the victims who made it to tell their stories are convinced that the intervention was nowhere near peaceful.
In contrast, in villages far behind the frontlines and the hills, 1998 is remembered by some as the best year of their lives. Growing up, my grandfather and uncles used to reminisce about the days when the “SADC soldiers” would drive through their village in large trucks and tanks towards their hideouts in the depths of the Maluti mountain range. They told my cousins and I about the huge parcels of foods the soldiers would drop at their doorsteps. They told us about the smiles the soldiers always wore across their faces, the effort they put into learning Sesotho so they could connect with the locals better. They told us about the laughs they shared with the soldiers at playgrounds as they kicked a brand-new ball that the soldiers gave them. In their hearts and eyes, the soldiers brought nothing but peace.
This is the year I would go back in time to if I had a time machine. I would want to witness the passion of the men and women of Lesotho as they fought in the frontlines for what they believe in - justice, honesty and peace. This is not something Basotho do as much anymore, although the need for it has never faded. I would love to see us as a nation stand up to our political leaders and make our voices heard to restore the stability of our kingdom and our status as one of the most peaceful states in the world.
I would want to make it out of the protest alive and well when the sun heads to seek refuge behind the tall mountains in the west. I would want to help a friend or relative carry home whatever they scavenged out of the looted buildings. When I get home, I would want to find a couple of “SADC soldiers” holding my grandfather’s gate open for me to enter. We would exchange smile-laced greetings and head inside and talk about the day while sharing a warm meal made from the food parcels they brought.
The reason I would want to go back in time to this year is so for the first time in my life, I could witness acts of kindness from members of security forces up-close. These days we mostly hear about police brutality and the bad of conflict. It is difficult to believe that anything good can come out of situations of conflict; hence I would want to go back in time to experience the 1998 Military Intervention in Lesotho myself.
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