Mohale's Hoek ___ The Millennium Challenge Account Lesotho II, has held a 5-day Land and Gender Training workshop for councilors and community council secretaries around Phamong, courtesy of the Land Equity International, (LEI)
LEI's trainer Mrs. Nts'ebo Putsoa noted that the objective of the workshop is to present before participants the new land laws, land rights, land ownership, customary law, gender inclusion and the difference between land administration and land management respectively.

Mrs. Putsoa articulated that some countries use the Freehold method when administering land, which allows beneficiaries to permanently own the land, while Lesotho is using the LeaseHold, which allows beneficiaries to use the land for so many years and renew the Lease within the agreed years.

On the other hand, Mr. Khotso Mathafeng from MCA, stated that the aim of the workshop is also to remind leaders about issues they need to be aware of, and share some light so that they are able to answer questions from communities, noting MCA is making preparations to set up a system where communities will apply for Leases online.

Mr. Mathafeng further articulated that since the introduction of the Market Driven Irrigated Horticulture (MDIH), findings have shown that most villagers in rural areas are in possession of various documents as proof of land ownership, like a letter endorsed by the family, a Form C, while others only have a gentleman's agreement.

He concluded by asserting that MDIH is a 5-year project, and Investors seek to work with villagers with proper and legal documentation of the land, noting with assistance from councilors all parties could avoid unnecessary conflicts which may arise due to unavailability of legal documents.