SA and Lesotho commit to cement long-lasting relations
South Africa’s Employment and Labour Minister, T.W Nxesi and Lesotho Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations Mpotjoana Lejone have committed to facilitate and speed-up the disbursement of funds to the Basotho ex-mine workers.
Nxesi said the compensation of former ex-mine workers was a big Southern African Development Community (SADC) issue. He said the former mine workers were owed by the mining companies and some are injured.
“The main issue is the mechanism to use on how do we channel compensation to the recipients,” Nxesi said. He said the Department of Employment and Labour will continue to work with the Department of Health, and Department of Mineral Resources and Energy in the search for beneficiaries and speed-up payments.
Nxesi was speaking in Pretoria today (Tuesday) during the start of a visit by Lejone who is leading a delegation of Lesotho Government officials. The delegation will be in South Africa for three days. They will also meet with Compensation Fund, The Unemployment Insurance Fund, National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) and the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA)
The Minister said the meeting was long-overdue. He said the Basotho visit would allow for strengthening of existing relations, allow for learning and sharing of information and each other’s experiences.
On labour migration Nxesi said the matter was a complex one that needs co-operation.
“We have good bilateral relations with Lesotho and do not want to spoil that. We have to recognise the reality that Basotho are entrenched in the development and history of this country. When we come with migration policy it will not be a one size fits all. How we deal with migration with Lesotho will be different from other SADC countries,” he said.
Lejone reiterated Nxesi’s view that the relationship between the two countries is similar to that of a bond between a mother and child. He said Lesotho was learning a lot from its developed neighbour.
“We need to take stock of milestones achieved together as well as setting other milestones in the future. We need to review our old Memoranda of Understanding to align that with new developments. South Africa stands to benefit immensely in the Highlands Water Project and we are working on a number of projects in agriculture production, energy and exploration for collaboration with South Africa,” he said these will ease the unemployment burden and minimise the unnecessary migration between the two countries.
He said remittances account for 15 percent of Lesotho’s gross domestic product (GDP).
According to Lejone while the Basotho workers have carried the burden of diseases and injuries, however there have been benefits to Lesotho’s economy.
Lejone said the Lesotho government supports legal migration, while condemning illegal mining. With the Lesotho Special Permit dispensation due to expire in December, Lejone said the country was looking forward to the legal extension of the stay of Basotho workers in SA.
He said his country was looking at convening a dialogue in September 2023 in which it will invite a South Africa delegation – to share the best practices on how to speed up payments of benefits to ex-mineworkers.
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Sabelo Mali
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Email: Sabelo.mali@labour.gov.za
