Right to Fair Compensation and Resettlement
Transformation Resource Centre facilitated a session between dam affected communities, government, LHDA, members of parliaments (MPs) and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) at St Rose in Peka on the 22nd September 2018. The aim of the session was to advocate for equitable communal and individual compensation for Polihali dam affected communities. Communities presented their problems regarding the compensation policy, resettlement and development to members of parliament from Mokhotlong, Minister of water, LHDA, the minister in the Prime Minister and other relevant stakeholder with the hope that their concerns will be addressed and stakeholder commitment will be secured. The session strengthened the Centre’s advocacy in fulfillment of developments in the polihali dam project location and necessitate policy change through the re-evaluation of compensation and resettlement agreements established between the LHDA and the Polihali dam affected communities.
- Published in local news
TRC capacitates Members of Parliament
The Transformation Resource Centre through the unit of Public Participation and Parliamentary Affairs will held a one day session on the 18th September 2018 for Members of Parliament (MPs) from the selected constituencies in Maseru, Mafeteng, Botha- Bothe and Mokhotlong districts. The selected constituencies are: Thaba-Bosiu, Machache,Thaba-Putsoa, Kolo, Mafeteng, Likhoele, Maliba-Mats’o, Peka, Matlakeng, Hlotse, Maputsoe,Motete, Qalo, Butha-Buthe,Malingoaneng, Bobatsi, Senqu, Mokhotlong and all the constituencies within the Maseru City Council.-namely Qoaling, Lithabaneng, Lithoteng, Thetsane, Maseru Central Stadium Area, Khubetsoana, Motimposo , Abia, Mabote. The aim of the session was to strengthen and support MPs on making proper plans or schedules that will enable them to ensure that the needs of their constituencies are addressed. The training also necessitated MPs to make constituency calendars supported by a well-developed template that will be used to report back to their constituents on a regular basis. This is to ensure that there is transparency and accountability to the constituents. The intention is to continuously engage MPs on their willingness to drive laws and policies that will respond and protect the needs of the people within their constituencies.
- Published in local news
Book Donation Ceremony
The Transformation Resource Centre (TRC) through its Information and Communications department
held a book donation ceremony on the 13 th September 2018. The ceremony started at 10 am at the
Centre’s premises.
The Centre hands over a total of 105 cartons filled with a total of 16 661 books to
newly selected 41 schools found in Maseru, Mafeteng, Leribe, Botha-Bothe and Mokhotlong The Centre
has allocated a five year period for schools to be furnished with books with the optimism that it is
enough for the schools to collect an adequate supply of books enabling them to establish the expected
libraries. This project has been undertaken with the unfailing support of Books for Lesotho (B4L) in
Australia.
The Centre has over a number of years donated books to under privileged schools and other
informal education institutions with the aim of assisting schools to establish mini libraries. The intention
is to promote habitual readership and literacy amongst students starting at a tender age.
- Published in local news
Strengthening Political Parties Workshop
Transformation Resource Centre through the Public Participation and Parliamentary Affairs unit facilitated an activity on the 15 and 16 August 2018 aimed at building institutional development of political parties to strengthen parliamentary democracy. The activity was divided into two sessions. On the first day there was a keynote address and presentation by the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Honourable Teboho Lehloenya who addressed the following issues:
- Proper Management of political parties in a democracy
- The effect that political parties’ internal instability have in parliament
- how the weakness of political parties affect the life of parliament and
- to inquire if the political parties are fit for the purpose for which they are established
Professor Motlamelle Kapa from the academia (National University of Lesotho) carried out a research for TRC on the Proliferation of Political Parties in Lesotho. The Professor therefore presented the findings that were made in his research and engaged the participants on the discussion. The session enabled a dialogue where participants identified issues within their political parties which they believe led to political party splits. Later, Dr Victor Shale made a presentation on the political party programs that could help strengthen internal democracy and reduce conflicts.
During the second session, Adv. Maqakachane, President of Law Society Lesotho made a presentation of a comparative study that has been made on how other countries who have a political parties act carry out their business in regard to the administration of political parties. The aim here is to conscientize the participants about the importance of having clear systems in place such as good laws and legislation.
Adv. Mamosebi Pholo representing the electoral body (IEC) made a presentation on the accountability and compliance of political parties. The aim was to capacitate political parties and show them the importance of compliance so that they remain in good standing with this body for them not to be de-registered.
All these presentations and discussions helped build a consensus among stakeholders that there is a need for Political Parties Act that would provide for the administration, development and regulate political parties to promote integrity of their operations.
- Published in local news, Uncategorized
