From a new Lesotho Fashion Week Masterclass to international health experts in the MoH, here’s a wrap of a few local and global headlines ahead of the weekend.
1. Local headlines
Lesotho’s ministry of health has enlisted the services of three foreign health experts in a bid to curb the escalating Covid-19 numbers in Lesotho. These are Ethiopian Hana Nekatebeb Bekele, a medical doctor, public health and notation specialist working at the World Health Organisation (WHO) is based in Zimbabwe.
Benjamin Mayasi who is an epidemiologist and global health expert, is also a consultant and is based in his home country, Democratic Republic of Congo. His compatriot Andre Bulabula is also an epidemiologist and public health expert who is an IPC consultant working for WHO and resides in South Africa.
As of July 9, the country had recorded 134 Covid-19 cases. [MoH ropes in outside help, The Reporter]
2. Local headlines
Lesotho Post Bank (LPB) received 34 trainees through the Ministry of Finance Youth Apprenticeship and Public Works Programme (YAPWP) last Thursday.
YAPWP Coordinator Folojeng Folojeng explained that the government introduced this programme to create jobs for at least 8 500 youth with qualifications and 5000 without qualifications between the ages of 18 and 45. Through the programme Folojeng said they have placed 400 graduates in different companies across the country. He said most of them graduated a long time ago but had been struggling to get jobs which match their qualifications. “The aim is to place you in the field similar to your qualifications so that you will gain work experience,” he said.
LPB Head Human Capital Moiloa Moiloa said their working relationship with the first batch of apprentices has been smooth sailing so far hence they requested more people. He urged the trainees to change their mind set immediately when they start reporting for work.
Speaking on behalf of the apprentices ‘Mabafokeng Nalana thanked LPB and the government of Lesotho for the opportunity they have afforded them with.
[Second batch of trainees for LPB, Informative News]
3. Global headlines
The US Supreme Court has ruled about half of Oklahoma belongs to Native Americans, in a landmark case that also quashed a child rape conviction. The justices decided 5-4 that an eastern chunk of the state, including its second-biggest city, Tulsa, should be recognised as part of a reservation.
Jimcy McGirt, who was convicted in 1997 of raping a girl, brought the case. He cited the historical claim of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation to the land where the assault occurred. Thursday’s decision in McGirt v Oklahoma is seen as one of the most far-reaching cases for Native Americans before the highest US court in decades.
The ruling means some tribe members found guilty in state courts for offences committed on the land at issue can now challenge their convictions. Only federal prosecutors will have the power to criminally prosecute Native Americans accused of crimes in the area.
Tribe members who live within the boundaries may also be exempt from state taxes, according to Reuters news agency. Some 1.8 million people – of whom about 15% are Native American – live on the land, which spans three million acres.
[US Supreme Court rules half of Oklahoma is Native American land, BBC News]
4. In lifestyle
Lesotho Fashion Week (LSFW) is unleashing youth innovation and creativity potential during and post this era of the COVID-19 pandemic starting at Alliance Francais this week.
The founder of LSFW, Mahali Granier says that LSFW is hosting a COVID-19 Youth Masterclass which is a platform for experience-sharing for the youth, by the youth on the youth-led innovative solutions tackling the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It will offer a safe space for discussions and exchange of ideas and experience on challenges
young people face on the path of innovation. The Masterclass will also explore the support available in the country and the preconditions to leverage on such opportunities as well as examine the existing solutions and legal frameworks available to protect youth innovation.”
Granier adds that the Masterclass will “ showcase and stimulate the creation of an empowering and enabling environment for youth’s creativity, ingenuity and innovation in fighting against COVID-19 and beyond. “
[More to Fashion Week than just fashion, The Reporter]
5. What we’re reading
Tips and hacks on how to save money are always timely but given the economic fallout from the current pandemic, they’re definitely urgent right now. We think you’ll find this short read helpful and that it gives you new ideas to save every loti you can.
[The 6 Really Obvious Ways to Save Money Better Than You Ever Did, Selibeng]