Transformation Resource Centre in partnership with T – Connexion and LCN organised a Moshoeshoe walk launch on Tuesday 12th February 2019 at Thaba-Bosiu Cultural Village from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. The activity aimed to kick start the annual event of Moshoeshoe Walk in the context of reforms process. The theme this year is Reforms: Walk for Unity and Accountability.

As part of the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) mandate to strengthen democracy and good governance, TRC together with its sister NGOs (under auspices of Lesotho Council of NGOs) have been tasked to collect the views of the public on reforms. For the 2019 Moshoeshoe Walk, TRC will be working in partnership with T Connexion in the organization of this annual event so that the issue of reforms is incorporated. This is aimed at enabling the Centre to have a wider reach of the public who will be participating in the walk as well as the communities through which the route of the walk passes. Preceding this walk, TRC launched the Moshoeshoe Walk in order to give the planned event publicity so that Basotho are inspired to take part in the journey of reforms in large numbers and recognize the Moshoeshoe Walk as an initiative which symbolizes and demonstrates the commitment our nation has taken in this noble project.

During the launch, the Honourable Deputy Prime Minister delivered a keynote speech that promotes the Unity of Basotho at the time that the country is on the verge of embarking on the reforms journey. The reforms process is directly linked to the walk as a symbol of the unity that the founder of the nation believed in, and also encourages Basotho that while the reforms might not seem like the easiest of journeys, it is however possible if Basotho can unite, cultivate the culture of accountability and have a vision of a better desired Lesotho.

Transformation Resource Centre through its Civic Education program to empower female representation in legislature and local authorities on democratic accountability continues to facilitate community dialogues in Mokhotlong, Botha- Bothe and Mafeteng. The initiative is intended to strengthen women to effectively participate and advocate for laws that promote and protect their rights. The Centre empowers communities to overcome barriers that hinder women to progress and assume political leadership roles. It also promotes their involvement in socio-economic policy matters that confront women. These dialogues are executed in consideration of the international treaties as well as the domestic laws that support women. TRC turns no blind eye to the present challenged that persist to undermine women participation and therefore encourages women to advocate for relevant legislature that address female oriented problems. The dialogues further help mobilise community support on women involvement in community governance. They are also facilitated to draw participants views and propose a plan and communal pledges on gender mainstream in issues of good governance and human rights. Moreover, an implementation of the plans from the respective districts will be formulated to disseminate findings and key issues that need immediate interventions. The plans will entail; advocacy strategies for gender mainstreaming in community developments and identification of paramount needs within the districts that require authorities to address.

Transformation Resource Centre (TRC) facilitated a session which hosted Commissioner from the African Commission on Human Rights and Peoples rights – promotion mission to Lesotho by Commissioner YEUNG KAM JOHN YEUNG SIK YUEN along with the civil society organizations on the 11th October held at TRC Hall. The purpose of the meeting was to share the state of human rights in Lesotho with consideration of the legislative measures undertaken by the country to implement the provisions of African Charter on Human and People’s rights. The civil society shared the state of human rights violations in Lesotho across different spectrums and made recommendations for improvement to the Commissioner.

Transformation Resource Centre (TRC) in its advocacy for the establishment of the Public Participation Act, invited civil society organizations to make submissions which will help form an act that will protect and promote good governance in Lesotho through heightened public participation. In this regard, the Centre hosted a one day session with its sister NGO’s (with likeminded) on Thursday 11^th October 2018 at 09:00am at the TRC Hall. The main objective is to advocate for the enactment of the public participation act in Lesotho. This is done with consideration of the best legal frameworks adopted by neighboring African countries in order for the country to incorporate such. The civil society organizations made their submissions based on the Lesotho context .

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.

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.

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.

The Transformation Resource Centre facilitated an Inter-Institutional Security Consultative Session which is a Dialogue for Turning National Security Establishments into Human Rights Protection Vanguards at Manthabiseng Convention Centre (National Convention Centre) on the 31st May 2018. The purpose of the dialogue was to provide a platform for senior officers of security institutions namely; Lesotho Correctional Services (LCS), Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS), Lesotho Defense Force (LDF) and National Security Service (NSS), to identify areas of concerns in their respective institutions which constrain their mandate in the protection of human rights. The concerns identified during the dialogue will inform the reform agenda steered by the government. It is expected that issues raised will be deliberated upon and possible solutions and propositions will be taken in to a broader national reform project. The final product of the dialogue shall be produced into a report, and form agenda for a multi-stakeholders national reforms on the security sector. The national -dialogue session attracted senior management of the LDF, LMPS, LCS and NSS as well as SADC representative on security issues, European Union Head of Delegation, US Embassy, United Nations Representatives, Steering Committee comprising representatives of NGOs, Business sector, government and political parties.

Transformation Resource Centre through its advocacy for socio and economic justice intervened in the conflicts between Kolo community and RASKOL Diamond mining company. These conflicts and concerns came about after the mine illegally extended an additional area to the initial area it had been allocated a license to trial mine by the ministry of Mining in Lesotho. Community concerns included the negligence of the mine to resettle people affected by the mine, water distribution that the mine has cut off, burial sites affected, compensation of affected properties, dumping area that is closely located to the community, restricted employment opportunities and the mine’s reluctance to involve or consult communities in the decisions that affect them. The Centre however, assessed the environmental conditions and monitored issues of compliance with environmental agreements. The Centre enabled constructive engagement of stakeholders for effective resolution of issues. Further meetings will be facilitated in dates that will be communicated. Among the stakeholders at the meeting at Ha Petlane in Kolo were the Ministry of Mining, Local Government, Tourism, Environment and Culture, the Mafeteng District Administrator office, Ntlafalang Consultancy and the community.