Sotho

Philips to Build Lesotho Plant

Thursday March 27, 12:43 pm ET
Philips Electronics to Build Energy Saving Lightbulb Plant in Southern Africa AMSTERDAM, Netherlands (AP) — Philips Electronics NV, the world’s largest maker of light bulbs, said Thursday it planned to cooperate with the government and another partner on building a plant in the southern African nation of Lesotho.

The company did not say how large the investment would be, but said the plant will produce 15 million compact fluorescent lamps annually once it is fully operational.

Another factory, more jobs. I suppose we can boil it down to that. We need jobs in Lesotho, and they’re not coming from anywhere within the country but local-based foreign companies. So be it. Welcome to Lesotho, Philips. We hope you’re not gonna be a sweat-shop.

WHAT BASOTHO NEED

Great discoveries are often accidents. Roentgen was investigating something else when he realised that x-rays could project the skeleton onto a screen. An apple fell of Newton’s head and knocked him into understanding gravity. While what I’m about to say is no scientific discovery, and is no accident, the question remains: why didn’t someone think of it before?

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has completed a historic purchase by buying maize directly from a group of small-scale farmers in Lesotho. (1)

Simple, as most good ideas are. Less red-tape, fewer Maloti wasted on transport and storage, more benefits for the local population, more jobs for them, too. Why didn’t we do it before? I’ll venture a guess. It is probably due to the incompetence of the people in power, who usually just go with the motions without rocking any boats. As long as they are comfortable, that is. Their keyword is maintenance, not improvement. How do I know this?

I know because there is virtually nothing that has changed markedly in Lesotho since the country became independent from Jonathan’s regime. In fact, things seem to have doubled back and taken a step in the reverse direction. Nothing daring has been done. Oh sure, we’re having periodic elections. But the streets are dirtier. People are poorer. There are more dust-legged boys begging in the streets than there ever were: you can’t park your car without at least two of them fighting over helping you park, all for the prospect of getting a coin or two in return. These kids should be in school or apprenticeship situations. What are we building, here?

Since Leabua’s regime, Maseru is more confused, it seems, and the taxis (what I call buxis, and what Kenyans would call matatus) are amok all over town. And right there in town, people sell food or clothing from car boots. I know that the drought and the HIV virus have done much to deteriorate the situation, but they haven’t deteriorated it for everyone, see? Just for the vast majority of Basotho.

What is worse in my eyes is that in a little more than two years the world cup of football is coming to South Africa. South Africa is Lesotho and Lesotho is South Africa, but do you think we will “make a killing” from the fans that’ll be all over the region? Think again. One of our potential sources of money is tourism, but tourists don’t just visit places. They want to be assured that they’ll receive quality rooms, transport, food, that they’ll be safe and well looked after, that they’ll have things to see. We must clean up our act, otherwise we are going to lose out big time.

“This is a win-win situation,” said WFP Executive Director Josette Sheeran, speaking from the agency’s Rome Headquarters. “It helps provide income for small-scale farmers while saving money for WFP.” (2)

Damn right!

National University of Lesotho

Our Vision is to be a leading African Tertiary Institution for life-long learning and relevant research in order to provide innovative solutions to societal needs.

Our Mission is to employ innovative teaching and learning methods, Research and Professional services to continually develop Human Resources capable of leading and managing development processes in a world increasingly driven by knowledge and by Science and Technology.

LECTURER/SENIOR LECTURER – DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS AND ELECTRONICS (Renewable Energies/Computational Condensed Matter Physics/Applied Physics) (Re-advertisement) POST NO: 2377

REQUIREMENTS Minimum qualification is a Masters degree in one of the following fields: Renewable Energies, Computational Condensed Matter Physics and Applied Physics.

DUTIES: Lecturing at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels in the fields specified above, designing and implementing related experiments to field of specialisation. Research in relevant fields and supervision of student’s projects. Assisting in the department and faculty administrative duties as the need may arise. Be among the leading staff members in the Physics and Electronics Department.

For more information on this post contact Dr N. Rapapa: np.rapapa@nul.ls or nrapara@yahoo.co.uk. Closing date: Open until the position has been filled.

REMUNERATION: The University offers competitive salaries and other benefits. The terms and conditions of service are two years (renewable) contract for expatriates and permanent and pensionable for locals. Applicants are to address the stated qualifications and provide other information to assist the University to determine their suitability for the position. They should also quote the vacancy number of the post applied for, provide current CVs (including telephone, telefax and e-mail) certified true copies of educational certificates, transcripts and three typed references. Applicants should submit their applications together with sealed references to the above address before the stipulated closing date to: The Senior Assistant Registrar (Appointments), National University of Lesotho, P O Roma 180, Lesotho, or at personnel@nul.ls.

National University of Lesotho

Employer: Confidential Employer
Title: Academic/Research-Infectious Disease/HIV Medicine
Location: Maseru, Lesotho
Description: Bringing together diverse initiatives aimed at addressing the HIV/AIDS epidemic the International Center for AIDS Care and Treatment Programs (ICAP) focuses on service delivery, research, and training/education in resource-limited settings.
OVERALL JOB FUNCTION: To provide technical assistance to health care facilities supported by ICAP.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
+++Site development  +++Train staff in the clinical management of adults and children with HIV/AIDS  +++Information system development and/or improvement +++Facilitate community linkages +++Patient flow analysis +++Improve adherence support systems +++Guide the development or refinement of materials related to HIV/AIDS care and treatment, including clinical guidelines, protocols, algorithms, drug formularies, training materials, and monitoring and evaluation tools +++Improve referral systems, etc.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: +++For Associate Research Scientist: MD, Ph.D., Ed.D, or professional equivalent plus experience in developing-country health care programs +++For Sr. Staff Associate: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent plus 8 years experience in health care delivery or programming, with significant experience in developing-country health care programs +++For Staff Associate: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent plus 4 years experience in health care delivery or programming, with significant experience in developing-country health care programs

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: +++3+ years experience in developing country health care programs +++Extensive clinical experience in care and treatment of HIV/AIDS patients +++Excellent grasp of clinical issues and current literature in HIV/AIDS treatment +++Experience in training +++Ability to relate and work well with colleagues
Please send your cover letter and CV to: icap-jobs@columbia.edu

Please indicate you are applying for position # CO-Lesotho on the subject line of your e-mail.

Columbia University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer Posting Date: Jul 4 06

Apply Now To apply for this job, please visit HEALTHeCAREERS and fill out their online application form.

The following teaching vacancies exist for August 2006:

• Teacher of English Literature
• Teacher of History
• Teacher of French
• Teacher of Biology
• Teacher of Creative Arts (Art/Drama/Music)

Machabeng College is fully accredited by ECIS and NEASC and is affiliated to AISA. It is an international co-educational school with just over 400 day and boarding students ranging from 11 to 18 years. Students work towards the Cambridge IGCSE and IB Diploma and are highly motivated.

The school is looking for dedicated and enthusiastic applicants to teach across the whole age range. More information about the school may be obtained by visiting our website on www.machcoll.co.ls.
Deadline for submission of applications is Friday, 28th April 2006.
Please send your CV and letter of application to:
The Headmaster, Machabeng College, PO Box 1570, Maseru, Lesotho.
Please apply by fax or e-mail, with a copy sent by post.

Fax: (++266) 22316109
E-mail: machabhm@lesoff.co.za

Applications are invited from suitably qualified Lesotho Nationals for the above-mentioned position. The position is at the Head Office in Maseru and the incumbent will be responsible to the Managing Director.

Qualifications
>> Degree in Human Resources Management or Social Sciences.
>> A post-graduate qualification in Human Resources Management or related fields will be an added advantage.

Experience
>> Minimum of 3 years experience in a managerial position.
>> A Human Resources generalist with a sound knowledge of all aspects of HR, IR, training & development, organisational development, personnel administration, reward & remuneration mechanisms.

Personal Attributes
>> Excellent interpersonal and people skills.
>> Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
>> Assertive and Performance driven.
>> Excellent communication and writing skills

Key Performance Areas
The incumbent will be responsible for performing the following:
>> Advise the Managing Director and line managers on all HR matters.
>> Development of HR strategy, policies and procedures.
>> Implementation and monitoring of Performance Management System.
>> Coordination of training and development.
>> Management of the HR department.
>> Implement, manage and monitor change management strategy.
>> Promote sound labour relations.

How To Apply
Interested candidates must submit their applications including three references, CVs and certified copies of their certificates and transcripts to the Managing Director, P O Box 423, Maseru 100, or hand deliver at the Registry, LEC Head Office on or before 26-05-2006 at 16:00. Reference should be made to ECOR: HR07 on all applications.

Applications are invited from suitably qualified Lesotho Nationals for the above-mentioned position. The incumbent will be responsible to the Customer Services Manager. The position is in Maseru, LEC Headquarters.

Qualifications:
>> B Comm. degree

Experience:
>> 2 years relevant experience.
>> Computer literacy will be an added advantage, preferably ACCPAC.
>> Minimum of five (5) years relevant experience.
>> Possession of a valid driver’s licence is a critical requirement of the job.

Personal Attributes:
>> Good interpersonal and people skills.
>> Methodical and disciplined approach to work.
>> Personal traits: self motivated, disciplined and high integrity.
>> Good interpersonal and people skills.
>> Methodical and disciplined approach to work.
>> Personal traits: self-motivated, disciplined and high integrity.

Key Performance Areas The incumbent will be responsible for performing the following:
>> Receipt of cash from electricity consumers.
>> Balance cash against audit trail.
>> Prepare deposit slips.
>> Assist the Service Center Supervisor in receipts balancing.
>> May be requested to assume Customer Services Clerical duties from time to time.
>> Coordination of customer service centre activities.
>> Attendance to and resolution of customer queries and complaints.
>> Ensure adherence by subordinates to customer care principles, procedures and guidelines.
>> Ensure that the supervisors balance cash collected daily.
>> Liase with cash collection companies contracted by LEC and all other service stations in order to compile reports of cash collected.
>> Ensure that cash collected is banked daily and that information on cash deposited is exported to Finance Division.
>> Management of LEC Front Desk and the Project Tracking Tool (Coral View)

How To Apply :
Interested candidates must submit their applications, CVs and certified copies of their certificates and transcripts to the Human Resources Manager, P O Box 423, Maseru 100, or hand deliver at the Registry, LEC Head Office on or before 09-05-2006 at 16:00. References should be made to ECOMM: CD 53 on all applications. [www.lec.co.ls]