Here’s a wrap of the local and global headlines you might’ve missed over the weekend.
1. Local headlines
The Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) recently released a statement declaring that the use of protective face masks is mandatory in public spaces. The statement further added that this is a measure to control the spread of the Coronavirus, and pleaded with the public to cooperate with this new guideline, especially in towns and surrounding villages.
In addition, all those who are found without a mask will be arrested. [Wearing face masks is mandatory in public spaces, Public Eye News]
2. Local headlines
Primary school teachers have lost a court case in which they were challenging the legality of the revised teachers’ salary structure. Letsatsi Ntsibolane, who is the Secretary General of the Lesotho Association of Teachers (LAT), reported that the High Court had dismissed their case.
In their urgent application before Justice Tšeliso Monaphathi in the High Court in mid-March, the teachers wanted the Ministry of Education and Training to revamp its salary structure. The teachers argued that the 2019 Revised Teachers’ Salary Structure failed to consider their qualifications, effectively phasing them out of the structure.
They also complained that the new structure put them in a much lower grade which disadvantaged them as compared to their counterparts in secondary schools. The teachers had asked the court to stay the new structure pending a process to involve them in the decision-making processes. [Teachers lose case, ThePost]
3. Global headlines
Malawi’s newly elected president Lazarus Chakwera on Sunday took the oath of office, promising a new dawn to all Malawians and telling an ecstatic sea of flag-waving supporters that taking the highest office was “an honour”.
A warm reception was also given to Dr Chifundo Kachale, the chairperson of the Malawi Electoral Commission, who took the leadership of the institution only weeks ago — and has been widely lauded for organising a credible election, against all odds.
When Chakwera — who won Tuesday’s election with 58% of the vote against Mutharika’s 38% — took to the podium, with a tangible air of anticipation among his supporters, he appealed for national unity. [Lazarus Chakwera is sworn in after winning Malawi’s historic presidential election, Mail & Guardian]
4. In lifestyle
Beyoncé is releasing a new visual album next month. “Black is King” will debut on Disney+ on July 31, according to a press release from the streamer and Beyoncé’s Parkwood Entertainment.
“Black is King” is based on music from “The Lion King: The Gift,” which was a soundtrack to the 2019 remake of Disney’s “The Lion King” produced by Beyoncé. The visual album will include appearances from some of the featured artists on “The Lion King: The Gift,” and other special guests, producers said. [Beyoncé announces new visual album based on music from ‘The Lion King: The Gift’, CNN]
5. What we’re reading
Mpho Lethoba’s I am… is “not your typical self-help book; it is a story of hope and a call to action. It’s the beginning of a great journey for us all.” Lethoba’s debut into the world of personal development is a critical look at self-image and mental health in today’s fast-changing world. You can buy it on Amazon or Lulu — we think it’ll be a great read.