Lesotho on SADC agenda
As crowds flock to launch ground-breaking book on SADC security
LIAPENG RALIENGOANE
MASERU – A packed audience filled the Transformation Resource Centre (TRC) Hall last Thursday to celebrate the launch of Dr Mokete Pherudi’s highly anticipated book, ‘Lesotho on the SADC Agenda: Challenges of Instability and Prospects for Peace.’
The book focuses on African Defence and Peacebuilding, and
Dr Pherudi’s work offers a comprehensive analysis of the African defence sector, with a sharp focus on post-Cold War transformations.
Key themes include Military Evolution, How African armed forces have adapted since the Cold War; Defence Budgets, balancing national security needs with economic realities;
Ethics and Recruitment, modernizing codes of conduct and recruitment practices.
The is also focus on Civil-Military Relations, strengthening trust between armed forces and civilians as well as Peace Support Operations, that touches on the expanding role of African militaries in regional and global peacekeeping.
The event drew academics, policymakers, and members of the public eager to engage with the book’s critical insights into African security dynamics.
Dr Pherudi says various factors motivated him to undertake research and produce this book.
He explained: “In the 1970’s I visited relatives at Bohlokong Bethlehem and I passed by an old clinic where Basotho refugees were accommodated due to political instability in the country. Young as I was, I developed interest to understand the political dynamics in Lesotho and why people would be exiled from their country.
In 2001, I was part of the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation that visited Lesotho to engage with political stakeholders on ‘Sustained peace, Reconciliation and Justice-South Africa perspective’ aimed at sharing experiences.”
“This book contributes to contemporary knowledge on the history and political developments in Lesotho,” he added.
It is the author’s view that his work has value to Lesotho and the SADC region as a whole. He argues that inclusive dialogue, accountability, justice for all and respect for the rule of law serve as basic cornerstones of stability.
That, honest and genuine reforms are still cardinal to stability of Lesotho and that SADC intervention in Lesotho provides a model for conflict resolution and lessons to the region and the continent.
“I am currently busy with a chapter on ‘SADC mediation in the region’ for a book titled ‘Southern African Security Review 2025: The State of Peacebuilding in Southern Africa’ edited by Antony Van Nieuwkerk and Faith Mabera and it will be published in December 2025,” Dr Pherudi said.
Furthermore, he added: “In March 2025, Scientia Militia, a South African military journal accepted my article titled ‘Rivalry between Lesotho Defence Force and Lesotho Mounted Police: Causes, Manifestation and Remedy, 1966-2024.”
Dr Pherudi was born in Marabastad, Kroonstad, in the South African Free State Province.
In 1986, he enrolled at the former University of Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland currently called the National University of Lesotho sponsored by the United Nations Development programme, but due to political challenges in Lesotho then, he returned to South Africa after two months and enrolled at Turfloop University – now called University of Limpopo.
He holds Master of Arts (MA) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in the history of Lesotho.
Dr Pherudi has worked for government of South Africa and retired this year in April. He is currently a research fellow in the Humanities faculty centre for Gender and African Studies at the University of the Free State, South Africa.
His recent publications include Reflections on SAMIM withdrawal from Cabo Delgado; Reasons and Implications, Global Change, Peace and Security (December 2024) a joint chapter with Bheki Dlamini (April 2025) eSwatini and Lesotho” The handbook of African Defence and Armed Forces, Oxford University Press.
He served as a technocrat at the South African Development Community (SADC) Secretariat for eight years and supported mediation process in the region. He also observed the elections in Lesotho as part of SADC Election Observer Mission (SEOM) in 2007, 2012, 205 and 2017 elections.
The launch solidified Dr Pherudi’s reputation as a leading voice in African security studies. His work is poised to influence debates on governance, conflict resolution, and regional cooperation across Southern Africa.
