Eyes of Africa News

23/01/2024

CHEERS TO ALL YOUNG CHANGE MAKERS!
This week, we look at how cycling is impacting lives, and how young people are taking a step to solving the social challenges in their communities.
In Lesotho, in the district of Mohale`s Hoek, the Hands of Life Youth Center alumnus, Tokelo Sehlatsana, is changing lives by creating a safe space for youth to gather after school and on holidays, using cycling as a modality to create positive dialogues with the youth.
Tokelo`s organization Red Hoek Cycles, has recently received a shipment of over 120 bicycles sourced from the United States.
Some of the bicycles have already been donated to St Camillus child care center in his community and they will be used to educate children on cycling and bike maintenance.
To ensure a sustainable supply chain of bicycles within the Mohale`s-Hoek community and Lesotho, a portion of the acquired bicycles will be sold and the proceeds from the sales will contribute to financing S.t Camillus Child Center as well as bring the next shipment of bikes.
Behind the wheel of this successful arrangement, is Joel Hellenkamp who lives in Tacoma, D.C, who started a fundraising campaign and the facilitation of the shipment of the bicycles, and accessories.
Tokelo`s journey with Hands of Life Youth Center started in 2015, he was invited by the founder of the organization Mr. Tshepo Nkhabu Cycles who recognized his passion for cycling during the organization` outreach campaign that was held in Mohale`s Hoek town in 2015, and so far, Tokelo has participated in various international exchange programs, including a 6 - weeks child care and mentoring initiative held in Bloemfontein at Onskiderhuis in 2019.
Additionally, Tokelo has engaged in a 2-year camping and bike works program facilitated by Hands of Life from 2019 - 2022, alongside participation in the Cycle4Inclusion and Cycle4SDGs Africa initiatives—both generously funded by the UNDP Lesotho between 2020 and 2023.
Inspired by his experiences and driven by a passion for community development, Tokelo aspires to establish a bike-powered youth center. The center will serve as a hub for his peers to learn, collaborate, and collectively explore solutions to the challenges facing today's youth. Tokelo`s actions remind us to be steady in the journey of leadership and inspire us to work hard and create more leaders who can realize the challenges around them and create sustainable solutions.

31/10/2023

The Rotary Club of Maluti was part of the congregation that attended the first Lesotho Youth Summit, see the speech by the president in a shared item below.

What an honor to be part of the 2023 Lesotho Youth Summit under the theme "Empowering Youth to Greatness"

In her speech our President Mrs Ade Lekoetje echoed that Sustainable Development calls for the engagement of everyone, particularly youth. All should work together towards the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

She iterated that as the emerging leaders and force for change for a better, more developed and peaceful world, the youth must own the SDGs. She further highlighted that the Rotary focus areas are very much complimentary to the 17 SDGs and the National Strategic Development plan.

Over and above that, under the Rotary International we have Youth service that focus attention on Youth empowerment and Young professionals through Leadership Development programs. These programs are meant to help the Youth to become strong contributors in their communities.

They include:

-Rotary Scholarships
-Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA)
-Rotary Youth Exchange
-New Generations Service Exchange

We invite you to learn more about the many opportunities Rotary offers in order to make a positive impact in communities we live in.

Our meetings are held every Wednesday from 5:30pm, at Avani Maseru.

23/10/2023

News in the Kingdom’s capital:

The Government of Lesotho through the Ministry of Information, Communication, Science and Technology jointly with the Ministry of Gender, Youth, Sports, Culture and Social Development with the support of UNDP Lesotho, has today launched the “STEAM Conference” pitching session for the top 51 innovators.

This event held in Maseru at the Manthabiseng Convention Center is an initiative for youth to showcase their talent and attract investments, business coaching, and mentorship for their innovations.

06/09/2023

𝙇𝙀𝙎𝙊𝙏𝙃𝙊 𝙔𝙊𝙐𝙏𝙃 𝙎𝙐𝙈𝙈𝙄𝙏 05-07 October, 2023
Likhomo Basotho.
LYS e lets`olong la ho ngolisa bacha ba pakeng tsa 18 -35 ka lilemo bakeng sa mmoka o moholo, "Lesotho Youth Summit", o tla ba ka la 5-7 Mphalane 2023 Maseru, mmoka ona e tlaba oa bacha ba 500. Sepheho sa mmoka ke ho fa bacha sethala sa ho tsebana le bacha ba bang (networking), ho matlafatsana ka litsebo tsa nts`etso pele ea mesebetsi e amanang le ntlafatso le kholo ea bacha(youth development & empowerment).Bohle ba tlohang libakeng tse hole ba tla lefelloa maroko le bolulo nakong ea Matsatsi a mararo a Mmoka/Summit. Ho boetse ho tlaba le tlholisano (Pitching) eo bacha ba ka e kenelang nakong ea mmoka, `me limpho li tla fanoa ho bahloli. Ngolisa hona joale ho nka karolo, PENYA link ena ho ngolisa http://64a1968775cac.site123.me/
Tobetsa "APPLY TO ATTEND BUTTON" ke eona ea ngoliso. Morero ona o tsehelitsoe ke Lekala la bacha (Department of Youth) le UNDP Lesotho, Having Purpose Inc. le Informative Newspaper

27/08/2023

Innovation News.
Today’s Cycle4Inclusion reveals Mosae Mosae, a 24-year-old innovative gentleman who lives in Mohale’s Hoek. Mosae’s city bike company can be a response to air pollution in urban areas. City Bikes seeks to address the increasing need for sustainable transportation solutions within CBD areas, offering high-quality bicycles for rent. The company promotes Sustainable mobility options to battle traffic congestion and contributes to a healthier and eco-friendly way to travel within the CBD. This idea also contributes to sustainable development goals such as SDG 3, 13 7, 9, and 10.

25/08/2023

Hands of Life- Cycling Continues to ride bicycles into remote areas of Lesotho to discover more youth talents, today`s discovery reveals Motlatsi Lesaoana from Mohale`s Hoek, a 24 years old young man who has had a chance to study computer science in Lesotho and in Algeria. Motlatsi used his skills to develop a drone that can used to examine land quality, especially land that can be used for agricultural activities.

25/08/2023

Ramohau Khetsi(33), based in Mohale`s Hoek has skills in arts and crafts and has created many art sculptures using clay and paper to create these stunning objects. Ramohau is also a self-taught artist and has been in this field for over 15 years to date.

23/08/2023

Boneswa Banda from Mokhotlong, uses wool to make drawings on fabrics materials.

23/08/2023

Mannyeli Sesioane,(18), Mohale’s Hoek , creates house plans.

23/08/2023

Arabang Semethe (19), Mokhotlong , uses wool to make colourful jerseys.

23/08/2023

Lira Nalana, aged 29 , Mafeteng, uses his self tought designing skills to make tomb stones from pure local rocks.

23/08/2023

Neo Lelotho 19 years from Berea , uses copper wire to create shapes true to nature such as tree structures.

23/08/2023

Khabane Mojaki 17 creates artwork and graffiti… he’s based in Quthing.

23/08/2023

Teboho Luka,aged 34, makes stone cutting machine and a mill.

23/08/2023

Keresiane Sesioane, age 16 from Mohale’s Hoek, creates automated toys using local recyclables.

23/08/2023

This week, we profile changemakers who live in rural places of Lesotho, particularly young people who are creative in the categories of Science, Technology Engineering Arts, and Mathematics. The UNDP Lesotho in Lesotho has partnered with the Hands of Life Youth Center to identify changemakers who live in rural and difficult-to-reach places in Lesotho. Hands of Life youth are using bicycles to travel in search of creative changemakers so that they too can have the opportunity to participate in the upcoming STEAM conference and get a seat on the world market on stage.

Liteboho Mosabala(21), from Mohaleshoek, uses recyclables to design and create building structures and other shapes.

13/06/2023

Maseru

Hands of Life Youth Center is participating in the Lesotho National Youth Entrepreneurship Program (LNYEMP) workshop held at the United Nations House by the Department of Youth from the 13th of June to the 16th. The purpose of the workshop is to come up with a model to empower young entrepreneurs so that they can be champions and pioneers in their societies.
Department of Youth Lesotho

29/01/2022

LESOTHO

He was born in lesotho, Tshepo has lived a difficult reality,he grew up in a community that has no safe space for youth to go to in the after school and on holidays.He realised that youth with no positive space to gather,learn and share solutions together often falls in the ways of HIV,crime and unplanned pregnancy. Since 2012,he has organized multiple events trying to respond to challeges faced by young people.Tshepo pursued a dream of building a youth center for over 12 years,his grants proposal eventually reached ears that heard him. The U.S Embassy offered his organization a funding to constructt the Mafeteng Multi Purpose Youth center.The center will offer Free-Wifi,computer education, art,events hall,sanitation staions and many more.

"I am extremely happy to see my dream come true,perseverance is the mother of all successes ”,said Tshepo Nkhabu Cycles

15/12/2021

South Africa, BREAKING NEWS

Pretoria

A court in South Africa ruled Wednesday that former President Jacob Zuma be returned to prison because his medical parole was granted unlawfully.

“It is hereby directed that the third respondent (Zuma) be returned to the custody of the department of correctional services to serve out the remainder of his sentence of imprisonment,” the judgment handed down electronically reads.

The high court in the capital Pretoria said the decision by then former correctional services commissioner, Arthur Fraser, to place Zuma on medical parole was unlawful and has been set aside.

Zuma, 79, was granted medical parole on Sept. 5, after spending about two months in prison.

He was sentenced to a 15-month jail term in July after the Constitutional Court found him guilty of contempt of court for refusing to appear before a judicial commission probing graft during his nearly decade-long presidency.

Saber Ahmed Jazbhay, a leading South African lawyer, told Anadolu Agency over the phone the judgment was anticipated because Zuma’s parole process was so riddled with irrational considerations and political rationale that the outcome revoking parole was expected and fairly made.

“However, there is still room for an appeal to a higher court,” Jazbhay said.

Jazbhay said there are fears of recurring violence should Zuma go back to jail, but added that if this happens then those main perpetrators arrested for instigating the July unrest will be arrested again.

“The judgment doesn't specify when Zuma must be returned to prison, or how it is to be effected,” he said.

Another top lawyer, Yousha Tayob, told Anadolu Agency over the phone he had not read the judgment, “but certainly any judgment is appealable.”

Zuma's incarceration in July led to violent riots in South Africa, claiming more than 300 lives and witnessing looting and vandalism, costing businesses billions of dollars.
Source :Anadolu Agency © 2021

10/12/2021

BREAKING NEWS

UNITED STATES

In an exclusive broadcast with Tshepo Nkhabu, Hands of Life Founder and 79 young change makers through the Town Hall, Summit for Democracy. Ambasosodor Linda Thomas GrienField shares her statement on Democracy and also answers some of the questions from the concerned youth from different corners of the world.
Statement by Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield on International Human Rights Day
On International Human Rights Day, the United States celebrates the importance of human rights and the critical need to protect those rights both domestically and globally. Human rights are inherent in every person, a principle enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) adopted by the United Nations General Assembly 73 years ago today.

On this day, we reaffirm that human rights apply to all individuals, no matter their race, religion, ability, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

This year, I have had the opportunity to meet with young people all around the world. I have been struck by how, no matter their background, they have similar wants and needs. They want safety and security. They want to be able to express themselves freely, to learn about the world and pursue their educations, to achieve their dreams without fearing for their lives.

These were the very same “essential human freedoms” that, 80 years ago, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt laid out in his famous “Four Freedoms” speech. Building from there, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt used that groundwork to help chair the drafting committee of the UDHR and define its very tenets.

Today, eight decades later, the United States leads the world on protecting and enhancing human rights for all people.

For full speech see link below:

https://usun.usmission.gov/statement-by-ambassador-linda-thomas-greenfield-on-international-human-rights-day/

09/12/2021

BREAKING NEWS!
United States

Beginning today/December 9th to 10, 2021, President Biden will host the first of two Summits for Democracy, which will bring together leaders from government, civil society, and the private sector to set forth an affirmative agenda for democratic renewal and to tackle the greatest threats faced by democracies today through collective action.

The Public Affairs Section announces that the State Department has selected 2017 Mandela Washington Fellowship alumnus Ts'epo Nkhabu to participate in President Biden's Summit for Democracy Youth Town Hall!
Ts'epo will represent the Kingdom of Lesotho as he joins approximately 70 other youth leaders from across the globe to discuss the youth perspective on democracy, anti-corruption, and human rights with key officials from the Biden-Harris Administration. Please plan to tune in to the Town Hall at 12:15 ET/19:15 SAST on Friday, December 10, to support Ts'epo and watch the dialogue. You can join the event livestream via this link: https://www.state.gov/summit-for-democracy/

07/12/2021

United Kingdom
BATH
Good evening!

Phoka Mofao, Mosotho man from the city of Mafeteng, Lesotho, who started a scientific journey at the University of Zululand in South Africa received his digree in Msc from University of Bath, listed in the top ten.

Msc degree allows him to understand the biomolecules(genes, proteins and infections). The sequence of genes, viruses, bacteria and etc. With knowledge this big one, can use it to detect variants, to develop vaccines, drugs and to develop antibody therapy technics.
This work also involves Bioinformatic combinations and the Molecular Microbiology to construct genetic editing and modifying organisms. This is a step to understanding the pathology of infections and microbial drug resistance.

Phoka also just attained Msc Molecular Bioscience (Microbiology) while working with National Heath Service Blood & Transplant (NHSBT) in the UK where he is studying the blood of immunocompromised cancer patients in Hematology , and tests the blood prior to transfusion to a hospital in the South West of England.

ASPIRATION

Phoka seeks to spent his life as a Microbial molecular pathologist in the future to heal and construct Morden treatment of diseases at the cellular level.

Congratulations!

03/12/2021

LESOTHO

U.S Embassy Maseru

Likhomo Basotho

The United States Embassy in Lesotho headed by Her Excellency Rebecca Gonzales continues to recognize young people who play positive roles in their communities and the world. The Embassy has also highlighted upcoming events and put on spotlight more young change makers.

01/12/2021

Global News

World AIDS Day, designated on 1 December every year since 1988,[1] is an international day dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection and mourning those who have died of the disease. The acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a life-threatening condition caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The HIV virus attacks the immune system of the patient and reduces its resistance to other 'diseases'.[2] Government and health officials, non-governmental organizations, and individuals around the world observe the day, often with education on AIDS prevention and control.

World AIDS Day is one of the eleven official global public health campaigns marked by the World Health Organization (WHO), along with World Health Day, World Blood Donor Day, World Immunization Week, World Tuberculosis Day, World No To***co Day, World Malaria Day, World Hepatitis Day, World Antimicrobial Awareness Week, World Patient Safety Day and World Chagas Disease Day.[3]

As of 2017, AIDS has killed between 28.9 million and 41.5 million people worldwide, and an estimated 36.7 million people are living with HIV,[4] making it one of the most important global public health issues in recorded history.

Activities across the globe
Organizations commemorate this day by organizing educational campaigns and awareness events. A cycling organization in Lesotho uses bikes to promote social events.

sources :Wikipedia, HandsCycling

29/11/2021

SOUTH AFRICA

Lekker Dag!

South African president Cyril Ramaphosa calls for lifting of Omicron travel bans...
See full speech below

27/11/2021

UNITED STATES

TRAVELS!

The United States of America will restrict travel from South Africa and seven other southern African countries to try to contain a new coronavirus variant spreading there.

From Monday, only US citizens and residents will be allowed to travel from the region.

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the new variant to be "of concern", naming it Omicron.

ADVERTISEMENT
Donate now to a youth cycling organization in Mafeteng Lesotho under handsoflifecycling.org

LIST OF COUNTRIES BANNED
South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique and Malawi.

The ban will come into effect on Monday.
The Omicron variant was first reported to the WHO from South Africa on 24 November, and has since been identified in other countries.

OPINIONS BY AFFECTED COUNTRIES
South Africa's health ministry has criticised the rush to impose new travel restrictions, calling them "draconian", and contrary to WHO guidance.

WHAT SCIENTISTS SAID
Scientists say they still have much to learn about the virus's new mutations, and the WHO has said it will take a few weeks to understand the impact of the new variant.

25/11/2021

SOUTH AFRICA
Sanibonani! Dumelang!

The German Embassy team in Pretoria, South Africa acknowledges the 16 days of activism against the gender based violence.

What are these days?

16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is an international campaign to challenge violence against women and girls. The campaign runs every year from 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to 10 December, Human Rights Day.

20/11/2021

BASOTHO BA THUSANA ELE BONA!
LESOTHO
MAFETENG NEWS!

We close our weekend with a huge excitement after a father and his son drove a mile from village to our Youth Center to donate a set of computers and power banks. Mr Taele Mashea knew about Hands of Life-Cycling organization few months ago and had always wanted to enroll his son to the center . This week he visited the center and was touched by the fact that Hands of Life-Cycling is empowering the young people and led by young people at the greater expense without constant sponsorship, he therefore decided with his family to donate computers and support the youth pruduction studio at the center.

02/11/2021

Mafeteng
Lesotho
In a tiny Lesotho Kingdom encircled by South Africa, a 25 years old Bokang Lebuli from Ha-Mabote Maseru is doing wonders.

What?
Bokang has never known his mother who passed away some time after his birth, he lived with his father for some years, before he could reach teenage stage, his father also waved goodbyes for the last time. As a result he was forced to drop out at Grade 7 class.
Despite all these difficulties, he realized his dreams and talents, his interests includes automobile formations. He started putting components together and experimenting on several creations. After months and years he was able to see a way and his structures gained a shape.
This selft taught inventor has now created an automotive model which he showcases in different cities of Lesotho.
“ I made this model because I wanted to be a police officer and add more skills to the security of my country, but if that doesn't work I will develop my dream of establishing the toys automobiles firm”, said Bokang.

Reporter: Tshepo Nkhabu, Lesotho