Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1970 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
1 box
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Lesotho, formerly known as Basutoland, became a British Protectorate in 1868. It was annexed to Cape Colony in 1871, but became a separate British Colony in 1884, and was administered as one of the High Commission Territories in Southern Africa (the others being Bechuanaland , now Botswana, and Swaziland). Modern party politics began in 1952 with the founding of the Basutoland Congress Party (BCP, renamed the Basotho Congress Party in 1966) by Dr Ntsu Mokhehle. At the first general election in 1965 the majority of seats in the new legislative assembly were won by the Basutoland National Party (BNP, renamed Basotho National Party in 1966), a conservative group, which had the support of the South African government. Following the election, Moshoeeshoe II, the paramount chief, was recognised as king. The BNP leader, Chief Leabua Jonathan, becamer Prime Minister. Basutoland became independent, as the Kingdom of Lesotho in October 1966. A General election was held in January 1970, when the opposition BCP appeared to have won a majority of seats in the National Assembly. Chief Jonathan declared a state of emergency, suspended the constutution and arrested Dr Mokhehle and other leaders of the BNP. The election was anulled and the county effectively passed under the Prime Minister's control. In Jan 1974 Chief Jonathan survived a coup attempt but he was deposed by the military, led by Maj Gen Justin Metsino Lekhanya in Jan 1986.
Repository
Archival history
GB 0101 ICS 46 1970 Collection (Fonds) 1 box Leeman , Bernard , fl 1970
Lesotho, formerly known as Basutoland, became a British Protectorate in 1868. It was annexed to Cape Colony in 1871, but became a separate British Colony in 1884, and was administered as one of the High Commission Territories in Southern Africa (the others being Bechuanaland , now Botswana, and Swaziland). Modern party politics began in 1952 with the founding of the Basutoland Congress Party (BCP, renamed the Basotho Congress Party in 1966) by Dr Ntsu Mokhehle. At the first general election in 1965 the majority of seats in the new legislative assembly were won by the Basutoland National Party (BNP, renamed Basotho National Party in 1966), a conservative group, which had the support of the South African government. Following the election, Moshoeeshoe II, the paramount chief, was recognised as king. The BNP leader, Chief Leabua Jonathan, becamer Prime Minister. Basutoland became independent, as the Kingdom of Lesotho in October 1966. A General election was held in January 1970, when the opposition BCP appeared to have won a majority of seats in the National Assembly. Chief Jonathan declared a state of emergency, suspended the constutution and arrested Dr Mokhehle and other leaders of the BNP. The election was anulled and the county effectively passed under the Prime Minister's control. In Jan 1974 Chief Jonathan survived a coup attempt but he was deposed by the military, led by Maj Gen Justin Metsino Lekhanya in Jan 1986.
Deposited at ICS by Bernard Leeman, date unknown.
Correspondence and papers of Bernard Leeman on planned coup against the Prime Minister of Lesotho, Chief Leabua Jonathan, July-Oct 1970. Including correspondence with the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), the Basotho Congress Party (BCP), notes on arms supplies and the activities of the South African Political Police.
Chronological
Open although advance notice should be given. Access to individual items may be restricted under the Data Protection Act or the Freedom of Information Act.
A photocopying service is available at the discretion of the Library staff. Copies are supplied solely for research and private study. Requests to publish original material should be submitted to the Information Resources Manager.
English
Catalogued to item level (see link to repository catalogue).
Compiled by Alan Kucia as part of the RSLP AIM25 Project. General International Standard Archival Description ISAD(G), 2nd edition, 2000. National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997. Oct 2001 Basutho Congress Party Elections Electoral systems Internal politics Jonathan , Lebua , fl 1966-1986 , Chief , Prime Minister of Lesotho Leeman , Bernard , fl 1970 Lesotho OAU , Organisation of African Unity x Organisation of African Unity Oppression Political conflicts Political crises Political movements Revolutionary movements Southern Africa
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Deposited at ICS by Bernard Leeman, date unknown.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Correspondence and papers of Bernard Leeman on planned coup against the Prime Minister of Lesotho, Chief Leabua Jonathan, July-Oct 1970. Including correspondence with the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), the Basotho Congress Party (BCP), notes on arms supplies and the activities of the South African Political Police.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Chronological
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Open although advance notice should be given. Access to individual items may be restricted under the Data Protection Act or the Freedom of Information Act.
Conditions governing reproduction
A photocopying service is available at the discretion of the Library staff. Copies are supplied solely for research and private study. Requests to publish original material should be submitted to the Information Resources Manager.
Language of material
- English
Script of material
- Latin
Language and script notes
English
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
Catalogued to item level (see link to repository catalogue).
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Publication note
Notes area
Note
Alternative identifier(s)
Access points
Subject access points
- Internal politics » Electoral systems » Elections
- Internal politics » Electoral systems
- Internal politics
- Political movements » Oppression
- Internal politics » Political crises » Political conflicts
- Internal politics » Political crises
- Political movements
- Political movements » Revolutionary movements
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Name access points
Genre access points
Description control area
Description identifier
Institution identifier
Rules and/or conventions used
General International Standard Archival Description ISAD(G), 2nd edition, 2000. National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.
Status
Level of detail
Dates of creation revision deletion
Language(s)
- English