Research
Perceptions of Lesothos Rural Communities on their Contribution towards Sustainable Rural Water Supply Systems
This is a research study examining the perceptions of Lesotho’s rural communities on their contribution towards sustainable rural water supply/RWSsystems. It is a Beneficiary Assessment Approach study and observatory study. In an effort to improve the quality of results that development interventions exhibit, development practitioners engage in beneficiary assessment. The approach gives researchers information that assists in assessing the value on an activity as perceived by its prime users (Salmen, 1995:1). Kumasarisi (2009:2) submits that beneficiary assessment enhances the sustainability of demand-driven development interventions; therefore, it is useful in pointing out bottlenecks to participation faced by target groups. It also uncovers reactions and views that beneficiaries have on the implemented interventions as well as opening up new information that would otherwise not be known.
Paradigmatic Views and Pragmatic Requirements for Sustainable Rural Water Supply in the Developing World: The Analytic-Review-Recommendary Study in Rural Water Supply
This paradigmatic and pragmatic analytic-reviewing-recommendarystudy aims at entrenching the notion of participatory development/community participation and community capacity building for sustainability in rural water supply. The study’s review covers introductory background in participatory development/community participation and community capacity building that lead towards sustainability in rural water supply. The study reviews Southern African Development Community (SADC) and Lesotho context, community participation in rural water supply, participatory development and capacity building for sustainability and community based management (CBM) for rural water supply systems.
Perceptions of Rural Communities on Ownership and Management of Rural Water Supply Systems (RWSSS) in Lesotho and a Summary Recommendary View
This is a research study that reveals some nature of the contribution of Lesotho’s communities in capital and management costs and the influence of financial contributions on perceptions of ownership of rural water supply systems/RWSSs. The study is about perceptions of rural communities on ownership and management of RWSSs in Lesotho. The research further includes a summarizing recommendary view on these aspects.Research methodology encompassed semi-structured interview guides, focus group discussions and beneficiary assessment methods in Mahlabatheng, Masapong and Machache rural areas in the district of Maseru. Interviews also covered the Department of Rural Water Supply/DRWS located in Maseru city in Lesotho.
The Analytic Conceptual Framework for Comprehending Factors Essential to Realize Sustainability in Rural Communitiesa Water Supply Systems
This research study is an analytic conceptual framework aiming at understanding factors essential to obtain sustainability in rural communities’ water supply systems. The basis of the study is on observations and desk-study or literature reviewing. Its aim is to determine factors necessary for obtaining sustainability in rural communities’ water supply systems. The analytic review covers general conclusions in community participation in Rural Water System/RWS, perceptions of communities on underlying issues pertaining to sustainable management of Rural Water Supply System/RWSS and factors towards sustainability of RWSS. Illumination of these intensifies understanding of all aspects that contribute to sustainability in the topic of rural water supply or RWS. The study covers typologies of community participation in rural water supply, perceptions of community and sustainability and conceptual framework for sustainable rural water system services.
Lesothos Rural Households Demographic Aspects and their Clean Water Supply Problems and Possible Solutions: The 2015 Overview
The aim of this research study is to provide an analytic view of some demographic aspects of rural households in need of clean water in Lesotho, their lack of clean water problems and possible solutions to their non-functioning Rural Water Supply Systems/RWSSs. This is part of the findings of a continuous research study based on interviews, observations and secondary data analysis. The study is based on the 41 randomly sampled respondents. Rural households and water committees of the following rural villages served as randomly sampled respondents: Makotoko, Nazaretha and Machache in the district of Maseru. The research study provides the demographic aspects of Lesotho’s rural households and their clean water supply problems and possible solutions as an analytic overview.
The Transitory forms of Lesotho Customs Administration and Tax Revenue Collection Since the Post Independence Era Till the Early 2000s: Strategies, Organizational Structures, Trade Facilitation and Limitations
In a highly competitive global environment, customs administration plays a vital role in the growth of international trade and development of the globe by facilitating trade among countries. Its role is also essential in expediting the growth of revenue through imports and exports taxation. This requires efficient and effective customs systems and procedures that can significantly influence the economic competitiveness of a nation. Lesotho being a member of Southern African Customs Union (SACU) and World Trade Organization (WTO) has a remarkable history in Customs Administration (‘CA’). Overtime CA has been a useful strategy of the government for revenue collection and trade facilitation. The country has also undergone social, economic as well as political transformations which have brought significant changes that affected the revenue base and brought a mismatch between the revenue and expenditure. The continuous decline of the customs revenue accompanied by drawbacks in tax collection structures prompted the government to take drastic measures of reforming the then existing structures of customs revenue and tax collection. This was also done with a view to improve Lesotho’s position in the SACU arrangement. This paper then discusses two main aspects: first, CA structures, systems and strategies that have been in place overtime in Lesotho since the last 40 years of independence and beyond, secondly, CA as a strategy to enhance international trade and tax revenue collection in the country. The gist of analysis is on CA and tax revenue collection reforms and their impacts on trade, treating former reforms as part one and recent reforms as part two.
