[Source - Steven Kotze, 2026, for FHYA using Morija Museum & Archives (MMA) and material written by Stephen Gill and Pusetso Nyabela: In a report compiled for the FHYA, the MMA noted that it had previously encouraged groups typically identified as 'Matabele' or 'Nguni' including those of Hlubi origins, to conduct research and compile histories of their respective communities.
In addition, the MMA noted that during research which it carried out c.2014 in preparation for construction of the Polihali Dam (LHWP) in Mokhotlong District, events surround the Langalibalele Affair of 1873 were investigated to assist archaeological interpretation of items excavated from caves near the proposed dam. Heritage Mapping in the Morija-Matsieng area raised further questions about 'Nguni' and Hlubi communities to the north and south of Mokhotlong. Attending a feast held at Mankoaneng near Morija on 26 December 2020, Lesotho Minister of Culture, Adv. Lekhetho Rakuoane encouraged 'Nguni' communities in Lesotho to bring forth their history and culture more fully in the lead up to the 2024 bicentenary of Lesotho as a nation. It was at this juncture that MMA was approached by Ettore Morelli on behalf of FHYA to collaborate specifically on a Hlubi Oral History Project (OHP), that resulted in this series.
In 2021, the MMA compiled a database of potential Nguni interlocutors in Lesotho, including members of the Hlubi community, and arranged meetings with representatives of the Hlubi Council of Lesotho which was established in 2019. Following a successful meeting arranged by the Secretary for Cultural Affairs of the Hlubi Council, Mr. Pokane Tsaeeng, in April 2021, MMA gained access to various Hlubi family networks in different districts of Lesotho and began to organise promotional advertisements for the Hlubi OHP on radio stations to recruit knowledgeable interlocutors.
Once the programme of research was completed in early 2022, a documentation team started work on the joint MMA-FHYA Hlubi OHP. The research and documentation was undertaken by team members: Mr. Nkhoula Takane of the Hlubi Association of Lesotho and Mr. Selebalo Molefe (videographer), assisted by Mr. Pusetso Nyabela and Mr. Stephen Gill, both of Morija Museum & Archives (MMA). Audio recordings were collected during 2021 with the assistance of Mr. Kori Phakisi of Masitise Cave House Museum, and Mrs. 'Malentsoe Letlaka, an Apprentice under the Seriti sa Makhoarane Heritage Tourism Initiative. Heavy rains during the 2022 season caused delays in the completion of the project, and the final report was submitted by the MMA to the FHYA on 31 October 2023.
Permissions to make the material available on EMANDULO were received in the form of signed release forms, obtained via the Hlubi Association of Lesotho and MMA. The FHYA has only uploaded the interviews for which release forms have been received. Where a release form has not been filed on record, a placeholder marks the existence of the interview in the archive and provides metadata for it.]
Contributions