Life in the Kingdom of Lesotho is completely different from South Africa. When you are in Lesotho, you get the impression that you are living several years back in time. Most people still use the horse as a means of transport and the donkey as a pack animal. Sometimes people have to travel many kilometres a day to get from their village dwellings to a small town to get other goods or to sell their goods. In Lesotho, time is not so important. Life happens slowly and it offers an exciting glimpse into a life away from the hustle and bustle. Nevertheless, Lesotho is home to one of two ski resorts in southern Africa and is therefore the go-to destination for many South Africans in winter. Lesotho is a country full of contrasts with a great nature where tourism as well as infrastructure are not yet very developed.
Due to its unique way of life, it also gives great insights into the culture and way of life. For example, it was explained to me that there is a so-called “chief” in every village in the country. This is a tradition that has existed since the old days before a government was established and is still in place today. If a resident or traveller has a problem, for example, the chief should always be contacted first, who will then deal with the problem and, if necessary, involve the police or arrange for a suitable place to sleep. The Chief also deals with petty offences and imposes penalties that do not require police involvement. They have their own court, the so-called “Khotla”. However, by now even the big courts are called “Khotla”, so it can be a bit irritating nowadays. At this point I would like to thank Paballo, whom I met at the border at the beginning of my journey, who gave me many helpful tips and now explained it to me again in detail.