Maseru is thecapital and largest city ofLesotho. It is also the capital of theMaseru District. Located on theCaledon River, Maseru lies directly on theLesotho–South Africa border. Maseru had a population of 330,760 in the 2016 census. The city was established as a police camp and assigned as the capital after the country became aBritish protectorate in 1869. When the country achieved independence in 1966, Maseru retained its status as capital. The name of the city is aSesotho word meaning "red sandstones".[1][2]
Maseru was founded by theBritish as a small police camp in 1869, following the conclusion of theFree State–Basotho Wars whenBasutoland became a British protectorate.[3][4][5] Maseru is located at the edge of the "conquered territories" relinquished to theOrange Free State (now theFree State province of South Africa) as part of the peace terms. It was located 24 kilometres (15 mi) west ofBasotho KingMoshoeshoe I's stronghold ofThaba Bosiu, the previousde facto capital. A bustling market town soon grew around the area.[6]
Maseru initially functioned as the state's administrative capital between 1869 and 1871, before administration of Basutoland was transferred to theCape Colony. During their rule between 1871 and 1884, Basutoland was treated similarly to territories that had been forcefully annexed, much to the chagrin of theBasotho.[7] This led to theGun War in 1881 and the burning of many buildings in Maseru.[1] In 1884, Basutoland was restored to its status as aCrown colony, and Maseru was again made capital. When Basutoland gained its independence and became the Kingdom of Lesotho in 1966, Maseru remained the country's capital.[5]
Prior to Lesotho's independence, Maseru had remained relatively small; it was contained within well-defined colonial boundaries and had little room for growth, while the British had little interest in developing the city. After 1966 Maseru experienced rapid expansion: its area increased around sevenfold, from around 20 square kilometres (7.7 sq mi) to the current area of 138 square kilometres (53 sq mi), due to incorporation of nearby peri-urban villages to the city proper.[1][5] The annual population growth rates remained around 7% for several decades, before tapering off to around 3.5% between 1986 and 1996.[5]
After the1998 parliamentary elections in Lesotho led to suspicions of vote fraud and amilitary intervention by South Africa, much of the city was damaged by riots and pillaging.[8] The cost of repairing the damage done to the city was estimated at two billionrand (US$350 million),[9] and until almost 2008, the effects of the riots could still be seen within the city.[10]
Maseru is located in northwest Lesotho by theSouth African border, denoted by theMohokare River, also known as Caledon River. The two countries are connected by a border post at the Maseru Bridge, which crosses the river. On the South African side,Ladybrand is the town closest to Maseru. The city lies in a shallow valley at the foot of the Hlabeng-Sa-Likhama, foothills of theMaloti Mountains.[1] The elevation of the city is listed as 1,600 metres (5,200 ft) above sea level.[11] The city has an area of around 138 square kilometres (53 sq mi).[5]
Maseru has asubtropical highland climate (Köppen climate classification:Cwb), with the city being categorised by warm, rainy summers and cool to chilly, dry winters. The average mean daily temperature during summer — from December to March in the Southern Hemisphere — is 22 °C (72 °F). During winter, between June and September, the average temperature is 9 °C (48 °F). The hottest month is January, with temperatures between 15 and 33 °C (59 and 91 °F).[12] During the coldest month, July, the temperatures range from −3 to 17 °C (27 to 63 °F).[12] The average rainfall ranges from 3 mm in July to 111 mm (4.4 inches) in January.[12]
The latest (2016) census lists the city's population at 330,760, or around a tenth of the entire population of the country, and half of the total urban population. The population of the city was at 98,017 by the 1986 census, and 137,837 by the 1996 census, demonstrating the early rapid expansion of the city after independence.[1]
Kingsway, the road joining the formerLeabua Jonathan Airport, nowMejametalana Airport and the Royal Palace in Maseru, was the first paved road in Lesotho. Having previously been just a dirt path, it was renovated in 1947 for the visit of members of theBritish royal family.[15] It remained the only paved road in the country until Lesotho's independence in 1966.[1] Two main roads lead outside of Maseru, Main North 1 to the northeast and Main South 1 to the southeast towardMazenod andRoma. The South AfricanN8 road leads from the Maseru Bridge border post west towardsLadybrand andBloemfontein.
The commerce in the city is centred on two neighbouringcentral business districts, which have developed around Kingsway and serve as major employment centres. The western business district holds larger office buildings, department stores and several banks. The eastern business district hosts mainly smaller businesses, markets and street vendors.[1] The central business districts are the largest employment centres within the city.[1]
Maseru's economy is one that is growing at a very rapid speed,[16] which is notable particularly in terms of foreign investment and tourism since independence from Britain, and economic ruin when political violence broke out in 1998. Since the riots, the city has worked hard to undo the damage caused.
Maseru's industry is split into two main areas. The one to the north of the central business districts along Moshoeshoe Road holds flour mills and other major companies. The other industrial sector lies to the south of the central business districts, at the Thetsane district, and houses mainly textile and footwear companies.[1]
Up until 2004 Maseru had a growing textile industry supported by and invested in by Chinese manufacturing concerns. Since the expiration of theMulti Fibre Arrangement the textile industry in Lesotho has diminished.[17] The city's products once includedcandles,carpets and mohair products but these have been overshadowed by South African industries.
Maseru at night—view to the south. The city centre is to the rightBasotho Hat Shop
Most of the traditional thatched-roof mud-brick houses, calledrondavels, have been replaced with modern housing and office blocks which have a tint of traditional architecture.[citation needed] There have recently[when?] been some new buildings in the centre of the city, particularly the building across LNDC centre which now house shops, offices and the new building of the Ministry of Health which was completed in late 2007.[citation needed]
Buildings destroyed in the1998 political uprising have been rebuilt. The New Lehakoe National sports centre, which is in between the central Bank of Lesotho and the colonial parliament building is equipped with tennis courts, swimming pools, conference centres, bars and gymnasiums. In November 2009, Pioneer Mall opened, providing Maseru with a South African style shopping mall, with many stores, such as a four-screen cinema-which later closed- and restaurants. Pioneer Mall opened way for more modern buildings in the city, the likes of Maseru mall and City Square centre
12 out of 16 of the teams playing in theLesotho Premier League reside in Maseru.[21] As of 2020[update], 36 out of the 51 championships contested in the league have gone to Maseru-based teams. Most successful of these have beenMatlama FC with ten championship wins and the football team of theRoyal Lesotho Defence Force, with eight championship wins.
^A. Mabille; H. Dieterlen (1993).Southern Sotho English Dictionary (reclassified, revised and enlarged by R. A. Paroz; 1950 ed.).Morija: Morija Sesuto Book Depot. p. 349.
^Britannica,Maseru, britannica.com, USA, accessed on July 7, 2019
^Cappelen, John; Jensen, Jens."Lesotho - Maseru"(PDF).Climate Data for Selected Stations (1931-1960) (in Danish). Danish Meteorological Institute. p. 166. Archived fromthe original(PDF) on 27 April 2013. Retrieved7 April 2017.
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