Rethinking Lesotho is a seminar series which brings together academia and the public in Lesotho. Based on contributions from various scholars, it aims to engage the public through empirically and theoretically grounded discussions. This public seminar was established in a context of unfavourable political, social, and economic conditions. Its objective is to promote critical conversations among the youth in pursuit of development, democracy, and social justice. Our primary focus is on the role of the ordinary people in shaping the country’s past, present and future.
The seminar will be hosted quarterly at Café What? by Jeremiah and Sean. Jeremiah is a stand-up comedian, brand ambassador, and radio presenter in Lesotho. He has his own comedy platform (Gags and Music) and currently hosts a radio show (#CatchMeIfYouCan) on Sky Alpha Radio — the first and only digital radio in the country. Sean is an economic historian of southern Africa. He works on the history of commerce in Lesotho, development of mobile money in Diepsloot (South Africa), and history of the Southern African Customs Union, focusing on relations between Lesotho and South Africa, 1870s – 1960s.
Speakers:
Kanono Thabane, “Lesotho’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producers: Prospects, Challenges and Way Forward”
Kanono is an energy economist with specialisation in renewable energy. His research interests are on; (i) financing of utility scale solar projects, (ii) techno-economic feasibility assessments and (iii) economic regulation and tariff determination. He currently serves as Managing Director at Arbitrage PTY LTD which provides bulk fuel distribution and septic pumping services.
Sean Maliehe, “The Economic Side of the Liberation Struggle in 20th Century Lesotho”
Sean is an economic historian of southern Africa. He works on the history of commerce in Lesotho, development of mobile money in Diepsloot (South Africa), and history of the Southern African Customs Union focusing on Lesotho-South Africa relations between the 1870s and 1960s.
Mathe Ntšekhe, “Stitching Sankomota’s Lyrics into a Historical Narrative to Re-remember Frank Leepa”
Mathe is a feminist and a lecturer in the department of Mathematics and Computer Science at the National University of Lesotho. Among her passions is understanding how the musical archive, particularly focusing on Frank Leepa’s contribution, can help us understand the past and the present in shaping the future.
Venue: Café What? | Date: 7 November 2020 | Time: 10:00 – 12:00 | RSVP: ([email protected]; cc [email protected])