ABSTRACT
Lesotho is one of those African countries that have retained the traditional institution of governance. There are divergent views on the relevance of African traditional institutions in contemporary governance. This chapter sets out to discuss the relevance of Lesotho's chieftainship system to contemporary governance. It briefly traces the origins of chieftainship and outlines the structure of chieftainship. The chapter discusses functions of chiefs, then outlines functions of local government, and also discusses the potential contribution of the chieftainship institution to governance. Lesotho's chieftainship can be traced back to the birth of the Basotho nation state. Before colonialism chieftainship was the only institution with authority in the community. Chiefs perform a range of functions that are crucial for the wellbeing of communities. The Local Government Act, 1997 provides for the establishment of local government in Lesotho. The chapter argues that the institution of chieftainship does have weaknesses and challenges but it is not irrelevant in contemporary governance.
