Lesotho and the New South Africa: The Question of Incorporation

Abstract

In the founding of the nation, in conflicts with the Boers and the Cape administration, and in resistance to incorporation in an apartheid South Africa, Lesotho has a history of struggle which strengthens national identity. It suffers, however, from geopolitically conferred dependence, a very weak resource base, and the limited legitimacy of post-colonial governments since 1970. Discussion of relevant theoretical considerations suggests that these provide no obstacle to the maintenance of Basotho identity within a larger nation-state. In the context of Lesotho's existing ties with South Africa and its peripheral position in the southern African space-economy, the paper asks who would gain and who would lose from incorporation. Four population categories are distinguished: migrant workers and their families; families without a breadwinner in South Africa; those in Lesotho without formal employment, and their families; and the civil service, political and military elites. A distinction is drawn between the effects of incorporation on individuals and on the territorial entity of the state. For most Basotho, the current advantages of sovereignty are probably outweighed by those of incorporation as a tenth province or in combination with South Africa's Free State province. The probable reaction of Pretoria to proposed incorporation is briefly discussed.