Text : Gillian Attwood and Di Jones
Photos : Di Jones
Lesotho, a small mountainous kingdom is popularly known as “The Switzerland of Africa”. The Malealea valley lies at the foothills of the striking Blue Mountain range in south western Lesotho. Lesotho is completely landlocked by South Africa and was as such profoundly affected by the Apartheid system which contributed significantly towards the underdevelopment of the country. The tourism industry in Lesotho is based mainly on the spectacular scenery the country has to offer as well as the culture and tradition of the Basotho and earlier Khoisan peoples. These resources are exploited mainly though pony trekking and walking trails, and activities related to culture and history.
The Malealea Lodge is run as a private commercial concern. However, it is deeply committed to in the spirit of community based tourism and as such has created a range of opportunities for local people to benefit from tourism activities in a range of ways. For example, the Lodge has entered into a partnership with a local pony trekking association that represents horse owners in the valley. The Lodge facilitates the arrangement whereby local horse owners hire out their horses to tourists, also acting as their guides on pony treks and walks. If tourists visit the more remote villages on overnight treks, they rent traditional accommodation from local people in these villages. A local choir and band perform at the Lodge every evening, and tourists make donations directly to the performers. There is also a locally owned and run craft co-operative that produces craft to sell to tourists. This co-op provides employment for 40 people in the valley. A locally owned and run museum provides employment to a further 5 people in the valley.
In addition to the arrangements set out above, a Development Trust has been established to facilitate funding for, and implementation of, a variety of community development projects in the areas of health, environment, education, social care, infrastructure development and income generation activities. These projects are initiated, driven and owned by communities who participate actively in the implementation of the projects. This is achieved primarily through ‘village learning and action groups’ which have been established in villages throughout the valley. These groups meet twice weekly to engage in both education and development activities. Using participatory methods, they map out their communities, identify their priorities and devise informed action plans to address these in a systematic way. The Development Trust then provides appropriate support to these local initiatives, ensuring that development remains community driven.
Contact
Mick or Di Jones, Malealea Office
PO Box 27974, Danhof,
Bloemfontein, 9310, Afrique du Sud
Tel. & Fax : +27-51-436-6766
Tel. : Mobile :+27-82-552-4215
Email : malealea@mInternet.co.za
Internet : www.malealea.co.LS
Language : English
Reservations can be made by contacting Pierre Craven through the African Getaway Safaris website : www.afriway.com
Cultural Information :
www.malealea.co.ls/basotho_culture.html
Recommended Tours :
Overnight Pony Trek & Hiking Trails Routes : For this offer, booking can be made through this website.
www.malealea.co.ls/malealea_activities.html