The plight of Qeme residents

MP Hakane harbours ambitious self-reliance plans

‘MANTŠANG KHUTLISI

QEME – A deep sense of despair hangs over the hills and valleys of Qeme as residents raise their voices in unison, crying out for urgent government intervention amid worsening hunger and poverty. Some families are reportedly going to bed without food. On a windswept hillside in Qeme, a village elder stirs a pot of watery porridge over a fire built from dried maize stalks and old wood scraps. The fire is low, and so too are the hopes of the community around her.

In the fading daylight, children gather silently, waiting for a meal that will barely curb their hunger. Their eyes tell the story before any words are spoken, here in Qeme, hunger has become a way of life.

Nestled just outside the bustle of Lesotho’s capital, Qeme is a community in quiet crisis too quiet, perhaps, for a country already grappling with widespread poverty and inequality.

Yet for residents here, the silence from national authorities is deafening. The situation has reached a breaking point, and many believe the government has turned a blind eye.

Residents accuse the authorities of neglecting their plight, claiming that Qeme is consistently overlooked in national development and relief efforts. With frustration and desperation mounting, they are demanding that the government shift its focus and make a meaningful effort to support vulnerable communities like theirs.

“We are starving to death and the government knows this,” says Pitso Makakole, a father of four who once grew enough maize and vegetables to feed his household.

“But they pretend we don’t exist, we see food parcels going to other places and villages not far from here but when it comes to us, they say we are not among the poorest. As if that justifies ignoring us,” he added.

Makakole’s frustration reflects a growing sentiment among Qeme’s residents that their suffering is not only invisible but also dismissed. Hunger, they say, has tightened its grip on the community, turning meals into memories and daily survival into an act of endurance.

Like many rural parts of Lesotho, Qeme has been hit hard by erratic weather patterns. Years of unreliable rainfall has left once-fertile fields barren and cracked. Traditional farming practices that once fed generations have become unreliable, even impossible.

“The fields have betrayed us, we used to plant, and we used to harvest, but now the soil gives us nothing” says Malooase Lekhooa, a widowed mother who now depends on neighbours for assistance.

But climate change is only part of the story. Residents say the real betrayal is political.

For years, they have written letters, made phone calls, and organized community meetings in the hopes of drawing attention to their plight. But, their cry has fallen on deaf ears.

“We have cried, begged, and pleaded with our leaders, but our voices are not heard, what must we do to be noticed?” Lekhooa continues, her voice rising.

Community leaders confirm that they have reached out repeatedly to both local councillors and national ministries, requesting inclusion in food relief programs and access to poverty alleviation schemes. Promises, they say, have been plentiful but delivery has not.

“They come with clipboards and smiles before elections, they take our stories, take our hopes, and then vanish after the votes are cast, we no longer see them again,” says a local chief who asked not to be named.

The pattern of political absenteeism is not new. Qeme, though just a short drive from the Capital City Maseru, seems to sit outside the sphere of influence when it comes to national policy decisions. Some believe it’s because the area doesn’t hold much weight politically.

Others say it’s simply easier to forget communities that don’t raise their voices loudly in protest. Yet the voices in Qeme are growing louder and more desperate.

“We are not asking for luxuries, we are asking for basics, food, water, electricity and a chance to live with dignity, is that too much to ask?” asks Rethabile Phatela, a street vendor who resides at Qeme.

Inside a small, two-room house made of mud bricks, eight-year-old Palesa Mollo lies curled on a mat. Her mother, ‘Mamorena, says she hasn’t eaten since morning.

“Her tummy hurts, but there is nothing I can do, we had one cup of maize meal left, I gave it to her brother because he is younger,” the mother whispered.

This is the daily calculus of survival in Qeme, which child eats, which one waits. Which household gets to cook today, and which must sleep through the hunger pangs.

For many, dignity has become a distant dream.

“It is humiliating, we are not lazy people, we have always worked, we have always provided for our families, but now, we are being forced to beg. And even when we beg, we are ignored,” ‘Mamorena said

Residents of Qeme are not simply asking for handouts, they are demanding inclusion. They want access to sustainable development programs, to agricultural support, to job creation and skills development initiatives. They want to be seen and heard, not just pitied.

“We are tired of being statistics, we want to be part of the country’s future, we want our children to go to school with full stomachs and hope in their hearts,” Thabang Sehlahla said.

As Lesotho continues to grapple with national inequality, Qeme stands as a stark reminder of the price of political neglect. In a country with soaring unemployment and a widening gap between urban centres and rural communities, the voices of Qeme could easily be multiplied across dozens of other villages.

But for now, Qeme is speaking loudest and the question remains, will anyone in power listen? As hunger deepens and the sense of abandonment grows, the people of Qeme are left wondering what it will take for real change to happen.

Will it be another drought, another lost generation, another preventable tragedy? Or will someone finally answer their call?

In a candid and passionate interview, Member of Parliament for Qeme Constituency, Sello Hakane, confirmed the unfortunate reality of food insecurity currently gripping parts of his constituency.

However, Hakane emphasized that Qeme is not a land of despair, it is a land of untapped agricultural potential, with fertile soil that, if fully utilized, could transform lives and eliminate hunger.

Hakane revealed that since assuming his role, he has taken matters into his own hands by investing in farming on a large scale to set an example for residents.

“When I began ploughing, I started with 50 hectares, fully funded from my own resources. This year, I have managed to increase that number to 100 hectares, still in my own capacity. And next year, I plan to expand to 150 or even 200 hectares,” he stated, underscoring his commitment to making agriculture a vehicle for food security and economic empowerment.

The MP highlighted that his farming efforts are not for personal profit. Instead, they serve a greater social purpose.

“Many families in Qeme are already benefiting, we plough their fields and in return, they receive 20 percent of the harvest. This helps ensure that they have food to put on the table,” Hakane explained.

In addition to his personal farming contributions, Hakane is actively negotiating with the national government to secure much-needed support for Qeme’s smallholder farmers.

He disclosed that discussions are underway to secure fertilizer and seed donations, which would allow more families to plough their fields and grow their own food.

“My goal is for every household in Qeme to go to bed with a full stomach and with the right support, we can achieve,” he said, emphasizing the urgent need for public-private partnerships and government intervention.

While agricultural development remains at the heart of his efforts, Hakane is also attentive to the infrastructural needs of the constituency. He acknowledged that Qeme is a vast area, with many families facing daily struggles, but assured the public that efforts are underway to address every critical issue.

“One of our greatest challenges is lack of water. For crops to thrive, they need reliable water access, but I am happy to report that pipes are now being installed in the areas most affected by water shortages. Soon, water scarcity will be a thing of the past,” he explained.

He further noted that several areas in Qeme are still without electricity, a situation that hampers both development and the quality of life. However, these areas have been included in the current financial year’s budget.

“We are working closely with the relevant ministries to ensure that Qeme is lit both literally and figuratively,” he said with optimism.

Hakane is also calling on local and international investors to consider Qeme as a viable destination for investment.

“I am open to working with anyone who is willing to invest in the betterment of Qeme. We have the land, we have the people, and we have the willpower,” Hakane stated.

Currently, the MP is working with three investors who have partnered with him in ploughing and other agricultural ventures and the partnership is proving fruitful.

“We are learning a lot, and we are growing,” he shared.

Looking forward, Hakane revealed that two major development projects are on the horizon, piggery farms in Matukeng and Josias 2. These initiatives are expected to provide employment and skills training for the youth and local farmers.

“We want to ensure that people involved in piggery production are properly trained, we will also assist them in accessing funding from BEDCO and help them write proper proposals to secure even more support,” he said.

Acknowledging the severity of hunger in his constituency, Hakane revealed that his office has already distributed 500 food parcels to the most vulnerable families.

“We understand that people are hungry, while we are building long-term solutions, we must also meet immediate needs. And we will continue giving out more food parcels,” he vowed.

He pleaded for patience and understanding from his constituents, stating that he is deeply aware of their struggles and is doing everything in his power to bring lasting change.

“Please bear with me. I know the hunger is real, but I am working tirelessly to fight it,” he said with sincerity.

Hakane concluded the interview by reaffirming his commitment to Qeme saying it is his dream to see Qeme not just survive but thrive. He said they have the tools, the land, and the strength of their people and with cooperation and support, they can build a brighter future.

As Lesotho faces a complex mix of socio-economic challenges, the story of Qeme, led by an MP who is both hands-on and a visionary, offers a blueprint for community-driven development.

Time will tell whether Hakane’s ambitious plans bear the fruit he envisions, but for now, his resolve is a source of hope for many in Qeme.