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Surrounded entirely by South Africa lies the nation of Lesotho, a nation far too often overlooked on the world map. American President Donald Trump recently called it a country “nobody has ever heard of,” a statement which brought laughter in Congress but stirred indignation among the Basotho.
Lesotho, aptly named the “Kingdom in the Sky,” is characterized by its unique landscape, the sole sovereign nation everywhere more than 1,000 meters high. The rugged terrain of the country has succeeded in sheltering its prosperous heritage, where Basotho people are well known for the colorful woolen blankets and classic mokorotlo headwear, so symbolic that they adorn the country's flag.
With its rich cultural heritage, Lesotho suffers numerous challenges. The country has among the world’s highest prevalence rates of HIV infection, where out of every five adults have the virus. U.S. assistance has been central to efforts in combating this disease, where it has dispensed more than $630 million since 2006. These programs are however compromised by the latest cuts through the “America First” agenda, deepening the nation’s public health emergency.
It Is also economically heavily reliant on its textile industry, which has been awarded the moniker “denim capital of Africa.” The nation ships large quantities of garments to the U.S. as part of trade agreements like the African Growth and Opportunity Act. Lesotho’s abundant water supply, widely referred to as “white gold,” is also essential, serving as a water supply for its neighboring country of South Africa.
President Trump’s recent remarks not only insulted the government of Lesotho but also highlighted the overall ignorance of the world towards small nations. Foreign Minister Lejone Mpotjoane was taken aback and again made it clear that Lesotho is an independent nation with its own history and culture dating back in time. He invited President Trump to visit and witness himself the beauty and resilience of the nation.
In a gesture that compares unfavorably, technology entrepreneur Elon Musk, on behalf of his entity Starlink, is keen to establish shop in Lesotho with the aim of offering
satellite internet connectivity. This thrust underscores the potential of the nation to become a hub for technological advancement in the region.
In spite of its tiny size and being too frequently overlooked, Lesotho is a living testament to resistance and cultural richness. The international attention that has recently been focused on it, while provoked by inflammatory utterances, affords a chance to the world to learn more about this unique kingdom and how it has enriched the African continent.
