A video arguing that South Africa’s treatment of Basotho mirrors Israel’s treatment of Palestinians has gone viral, drawing attention to Lesotho’s status as an enclave completely surrounded by its neighbour.
Editorial
A video posted by Wandile Bangisi Mvane has spread widely on South African social media. It argues that South Africa’s treatment of Basotho is the same as Israel’s treatment of Palestinians.
At the centre of the argument is a geographic fact: Lesotho is entirely surrounded by South Africa. It is one of only three enclave countries in the world. Its entire 909-kilometre border runs along South African territory.
“When a Basotho is banned from South Africa, they cannot simply go to another country. There is no Mozambique to the east, no Botswana to the north. There is only South Africa.”
For a Basotho citizen banned from South Africa, there is no other route out. The border becomes a complete barrier.
The Lesotho enclave and movement restrictions
The Lesotho government has raised concerns about the treatment Basotho receive in South Africa. Minister of Communications Nthati Moorosi said cabinet is worried about reports of Basotho being denied medical care and facing random arrests.
The Migrant Workers Association of Lesotho has received more than 60 reports of members denied access to clinics and hospitals, mostly in Soweto. Women migrants are the most affected.
Executive director Lerato Nkhetše described the denial of healthcare as a violation of human rights and international law. He said it is undermining Lesotho’s efforts to fight HIV.
The comparison and its limits
Mvane draws a parallel between checkpoints and barriers in the West Bank and the effective barriers Basotho face when trying to access services in South Africa.
The Lesotho Exemption Permit, which allows Basotho to live in South Africa under relaxed rules, has been extended to 2027. The Basotho Action Party has called for free movement using national identity cards.
The video argues that a powerful state controlling all access to a smaller encircled population creates structural dependency, even without physical walls or military occupation.
