Thepa Moiloa

Participant

Lebohang Thepa Moiloa holds a Molecular Biology degree from the University of the Free State. Thepa worked with a Lesotho production company where he harnessed his photography and videography skills through various production projects ranging from TV commercials to documentary sets. In 2021, Thepa facilitated a skills share project in the rural area of Morija,Lesotho. He participated in the Market Photo Workshop and World Press Photo’s Documentary Practice and Visual Journalism Workshop in 2024, with other workshop attendees from the continent (Angola, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Ghana and Zimbabwe). The participants workshopped strategies on how to use photojournalism for social justice identity and human rights development. Thepa’s work is driven by a belief in the power of the media to reshape perceptions and foster pride in African heritage. Whether behind the lens or in the editing suite, he remains committed to telling stories that matter – stories that celebrate Africa, in all its complexity and beauty.

Cell No: +266 68774307

Email address: thepa.moiloa@gmail.com

Guardians of the Wetlands / Balisa Ba Mekhoabo

Guardians of the Wetlands embarks on a compelling journey through Lesotho’s Makhalaneng Sub-catchment area, where time-honored livestock herding traditions are key to revitalizing wetlands and managing catchments sustainably. At the heart of Guardians of the Wetlands are the stories of herdsmen whose rotational grazing practices have upheld the delicate balance of their environment for generations. These methods not only reduce overgrazing and soil erosion but also enhance the wetlands’ role as natural carbon sinks critical to mitigating global warming.

Through interviews with herdsmen in Ha Tlali, we uncover a rich tapestry of indigenous knowledge passed down through the ages, reflecting the Basotho people’s deep connection to their land. The narrative underscores how these traditional ecological practices are not just relics of the past; they are living, breathing solutions to the climate crisis.

Beyond environmental stewardship, Guardians of the Wetlands offers a glimpse into the daily lives of herdsmen and herdboys, shining a light on their cultural contributions and the vital roles they play in sustaining community life. Their resilience is further tested by the challenges of shifting climate patterns, revealing an urgent call to action.

Guardians of the Wetlands reveals how community-led initiatives are breathing new life into these wetlands, supported by the spirit of collective effort that has long united Basotho communities. This collaborative approach becomes a central theme, showcasing how strength and sustainability are forged through unity.

Guardians of the Wetlands is more than a documentary; it’s a clarion call for climate awareness and responsible stewardship. By spotlighting indigenous practices, the Guardians of the Wetlands aims to inspire global confidence in integrating traditional knowledge into modern climate strategies.

Waste and Voices

Waste and Voices explores the potential violations of economic, social, and cultural rights of communities living in the shadow of the Ha Tsosane Dumpsite. Through a deeply personal lens, it brings to the forefront the human experiences buried beneath layers of waste and neglect, offering a poignant look into lives shaped by proximity to environmental degradation.

Established in the early 1980s, the dumpsite was initially conceived as a solution to fill a crater left by a quarry mine during Maseru’s road development. Over time, it has morphed into a towering mass of refuse, now a permanent feature of the landscape. Its growth has transformed the site into a hazardous zone, a festering ground for pests, disease vectors, and toxic gases such as methane and hydrogen sulfide. Despite being declared illegal in 2008, the dumpsite remains active, continuing to expand daily, raising urgent questions about governance, policy enforcement, and accountability.

The narrative unfolds through firsthand accounts of community members who live in constant exposure to the site’s fallout. Each interview is permeated by the unrelenting stench that suffocates the area, and many participants recount chronic respiratory ailments and other health conditions. These testimonials reveal a community grappling not just with environmental injustice, but with eroding social cohesion. Internal divisions have surfaced; some residents demand the immediate relocation of the landfill, citing health concerns and loss of dignity, while others argue for its retention due to emerging informal recycling economies that provide livelihood opportunities.

This ideological split has strained neighborly relations, turning a shared struggle into a source of local discord. Through environmental portraits and atmospheric landscape shots, Waste and Voices captures these tensions, highlighting both vulnerability and resilience.

Beyond documenting hardship, Waste and Voices serves as a platform for civic engagement. It prompts viewers to reflect on the broader implications of unchecked urban expansion, waste mismanagement, and neglected community rights. The work aims to catalyze dialogue among stakeholders; residents, policymakers, urban planners, and activists; toward a sustainable and humane resolution.

Waste and Voices is not simply a chronicle of environmental failure; it is a call to action, a visual and emotional appeal to recognize the dignity of those living in proximity to harm and to restore equity through collective responsibility.

Echoes of Dread

In shadows where the waste mountains rise,

Whispers of rights drown in pungent sighs.

Stories buried, yet they scream to be heard,

Breath stolen by gases, hope deferred.

Crater of dreams, filled with despair’s weight,

Illegal yet living, we question our fate.

Ekaba ngoana Thari e ntso o fella kae,

In silence we can’t stand, for the crisis won’t wait.