Youth exploit tourist opportunity offered at Ts'ehlanyane

Youth in villages surrounding the Ts'ehlanyane National Park have started a pottery project with the aim of exploiting the tourist potential of the area, according to coordinator, Mr. Peete Molapo. 

The pottery project has proven successful so much so that members have started earning money through sales of the products, Mr. Molapo said in an interview, showing how the youth use clay found in the area to produce handmade cups, plates and flowerpots.

The main buyers are tourists visiting the area, with a few locals buying the odd item because of the unemployment and poverty prevalent in the area. Most of the members of the cooperative have completed high school and would rather be self sufficient rather than wait for jobs that might not materialise, he said.

The youth were also engaged in donga reclamation to prevent soil erosion and thus protect the clay.

Before starting the project, the youth received training from the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority, which was part of the compensation package offered to people affected by the Lesotho Highlands Water Project. They are also engaged in HIV\AIDS information dissemination, vegetable gardening and protection of the environment, Mr. Molapo said.

 The Ts'ehlanyane Pottery Cooperatives was established in 2000 and members pay a subscription of
M1.00, contributing the same amount after the sale of each item.

20 January 2004