XIXᵉ siècle – XXᵉ siècle
Southern Africa
Traduction non disponible · Original (anglais) · français indisponible
Basutoland was a small mountain kingdom surrounded by South Africa and ruled under British authority by the heirs of Moshoeshoe. With few exports beyond labour, its economy depended heavily on migrant workers in South African mines. Population pressure, drought, and migrant labour undermined agricultural self-sufficiency, while education and political organization supported preparations for eventual independence as Lesotho.
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Basutoland was entirely surrounded by South Africa and remained a small mountain kingdom ruled under Britain by the heirs of Moshoeshoe. Its limited export economy offered little beyond labour. Earlier generations of Sotho had taken advantage of markets created by the diamond and gold mines, adapting quickly to the opportunities created by South Africa’s expanding mineral economy.
The loss of fertile plains along the western bank of the Caledon River to white settlers in the Orange Free State did not immediately destroy agricultural production. Basutoland continued to grow and export substantial grain surpluses. By the end of the First World War, however, population pressure combined with the destructive effects of migrant labour had reduced production to little more than subsistence.
The situation worsened after the great drought at the beginning of the 1930s, after which Basutoland became an increasingly important net importer of grain. Between 1936 and 1961, the number of men recruited for mine work from Basutoland and the Orange Free State rose from 46,000 to 69,000. Paid employment inside Basutoland remained only a small fraction of the opportunities available in South Africa.
Despite poverty and unemployment, Basutoland developed an established educational infrastructure and one of Africa’s highest literacy rates. Pius XII College was founded in 1945, enabling students to take University of South Africa degrees. Political activity also expanded: Ntsu Mokhehle founded the Basutoland Congress Party in 1952, while Chief Leabua Jonathan established the Basutoland National Party in 1958.
By the end of the 1950s, Basutoland was being prepared for political independence alongside Bechuanaland and Swaziland, despite its dependence on South Africa for jobs and goods. South Africa resisted this direction and repeatedly considered incorporation. The eventual failure of incorporation enabled a strategy in which formally independent neighbours would remain economically dependent and exert less pressure on South African society.
XIXᵉ siècle – XXᵉ siècle
Southern Africa
Traduction non disponible · Original (anglais) · français indisponible
Basutoland was a small mountain kingdom surrounded by South Africa and ruled under British authority by the heirs of Moshoeshoe. With few exports beyond labour, its economy depended heavily on migrant workers in South African mines. Population pressure, drought, and migrant labour undermined agricultural self-sufficiency, while education and political organization supported preparations for eventual independence as Lesotho.
Poursuivre l’exploration
Le récit
Basutoland was entirely surrounded by South Africa and remained a small mountain kingdom ruled under Britain by the heirs of Moshoeshoe. Its limited export economy offered little beyond labour. Earlier generations of Sotho had taken advantage of markets created by the diamond and gold mines, adapting quickly to the opportunities created by South Africa’s expanding mineral economy.
The loss of fertile plains along the western bank of the Caledon River to white settlers in the Orange Free State did not immediately destroy agricultural production. Basutoland continued to grow and export substantial grain surpluses. By the end of the First World War, however, population pressure combined with the destructive effects of migrant labour had reduced production to little more than subsistence.
The situation worsened after the great drought at the beginning of the 1930s, after which Basutoland became an increasingly important net importer of grain. Between 1936 and 1961, the number of men recruited for mine work from Basutoland and the Orange Free State rose from 46,000 to 69,000. Paid employment inside Basutoland remained only a small fraction of the opportunities available in South Africa.
Despite poverty and unemployment, Basutoland developed an established educational infrastructure and one of Africa’s highest literacy rates. Pius XII College was founded in 1945, enabling students to take University of South Africa degrees. Political activity also expanded: Ntsu Mokhehle founded the Basutoland Congress Party in 1952, while Chief Leabua Jonathan established the Basutoland National Party in 1958.
By the end of the 1950s, Basutoland was being prepared for political independence alongside Bechuanaland and Swaziland, despite its dependence on South Africa for jobs and goods. South Africa resisted this direction and repeatedly considered incorporation. The eventual failure of incorporation enabled a strategy in which formally independent neighbours would remain economically dependent and exert less pressure on South African society.