Does Lesotho and Basotho Stands to Benefit from Dual Citizenship?

There is an old age debate in both Lesotho and South Africa about relations of the two countries.  We look at them differently and for different reasons, patriotism, opportunity, pride, policy and many others.  I just need us to weight our options and and see what would be the maximal benefit for the highest possible number of people looking at the scenarios below.

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      There are those who say that South Africa should return our Free State: The OAU Conventions which were signed just before most African Countries became independent from British and French Colonial Masters, resolved to leave the demarcations that were designed by Europeans.  The noble reason being that if they start meddling with the borders, Africa will be in civil wars over border disputes because some of them were really dubious and that Africa would be in deeper chaos than the Europeans left it.  This therefore means that Lesotho, being part of the OAU is part of this resolve and borders will NOT be re-negotiated.  If this was at all possible, it would have happened during Apartheid when RSA was an illegitimate state and if the world did not help us get Free State then, it definitely won’t help us now even those who continue this argument know this.   Chapter closed…

·         Lesotho should Join South Africa and Become A Tenth Province:  We may need a referendum for this one because I have a feeling that those who look at maximising the benefit for majority may look favourably at this option, but those with National Pride, Patriotism and Tradition, may not agree with the aforementioned statement.   Do recall that this will be two ways process where NOT only Basotho will move freely and get jobs in SA, but South Africans white, Coloured Indian and Black will also come into Lesotho, buy land properties and invest.  If you are already so paranoid about such a small group of Chinese, how Xenophobic  are you going to be with an influx of the whole Rainbow nation into Lesotho with the Madamara shoes, gold teeth and heavy accents?  How about the OuBasses with their Senqu shirts, Cowboy hats and Country Music? Some say  Lesotho will lose it sovereignty as a State.  My personal impression is: so? What if we lose our sovereignty as a State?  Do you need a hungry sovereignty or do we need Basotho who prosper under a different dispensation? I have made my decision and please also decide for yourself.
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      There are also those who say  Our King will lose his powers and be like Good Will Swelithini well isn’t he already?  Isn’t he just a ceremonial figure head right now? What is so bad then when he moves from under a Prime Minister (to be then called Provincial Premier)  to under a President of a rich developing country?   It may be good for him as a person because his budget to run the royal house will also increase if Lesotho becomes part of South Africa.   The King’s subjects will increase (Remember some say he is not a Lesotho King but a Basotho King) and he will probably have another palace in the Free State somewhere.

·         A third argument is Lesotho should remain as a Sovereign State but Basotho who have birth links or job links with South Africa should be allowed to sort both a Lesotho and a South African Citizenship.  That’s it… Get the best of both worlds…  There is a lot of Basotho who work in South Africa now who are Professionals and Executives of big companies in South Africa.  When South Africans were busy toy-toying, Basotho, Zimbabweans and other South African black were busy going to school.  You will be amazed at how BEE and other Workplace Reforms in South Africa have benefited all black Southeners from the diaspora.  This black elite with Basotho among them have the muscle to make a difference here in Lesotho.     They can invest: Business, houses, bring skills etc.  They can stay longer in Lesotho, use their money thus promote Lesotho Tourism as well... It seems like Lesotho stands more to gain from this arrangement than loose.  I do not forsee lots of birthright South Africans wanting to come to Lesotho, but Birthright Basotho who have citizenship rights in South African will more likely come back.


L    Lets us continue this debate beyond the politics and share this ideas with other people.  Mohlomong re ka fumana namane e nonneng le litba tsena tsa re tsoela mosola.  Morokhotla ha u okoloe mafura...