Lesotho has achieved a significant milestone in sustainable land and water management: the first cohort of 20 graduates completed their Master of Science in Integrated Catchment and Water Resources Management degree.
ReNOKA with support from the Lesotho government, the European Union and German Government through WaterNet Trust, designed the master programme to help build local expertise in Integrated Catchment Management (ICM).
ICM recognises the connection between land, water and people. That is why academic insights from various disciplines are needed – for example from agricultural and social sciences.
This initiative supports ReNOKA’s commitment to strengthening national capacity for sustainable resource management. The partnership provided 20 scholarships, enabling talented Basotho to access quality education and contribute to environmental restoration and policy implementation.
Building local expertise for sustainable impact
The master’s programme combines academic training with field experience, equipping students to address land degradation, water scarcity, and climate change. It connects research with practical solutions, preparing graduates to lead action in communities and institutions.
This first cohort represents a new generation of professionals skilled in watershed restoration, sustainable rangeland management, and participatory water governance. Their achievements highlight the value of investing in education for effective resource management and sustainability in Lesotho.
The ICM graduate, Qenehelo Mahamo who spoke during the official ceremony highlighted that as they graduate today, they will contribute to Lesotho they envision, not only through their academic projects, but carrying these insights and ideas forward as seeds of transformation
A graduate reflecting on how the programme deepened their understanding of catchment management and motivated them to take action for Lesotho’s environment.
These graduates join ReNOKA’s expanding network of practitioners committed to restoring wetlands, improving rangelands, and supporting sustainable livelihoods throughout Lesotho’s catchments.
ReNOKA’s Commitment to Human Capital Development
Capacity development is central to ReNOKA’s ICM programme. This first graduating class demonstrates the success of ReNOKA’s Skills and Knowledge initiative in preparing professionals to lead research, policy, and implementation of sustainable land and water management.
Sharing his reflections on the graduation, Advocate Moteka Mohale highlighted that it demonstrates ReNOKA’s commitment to empowering Basotho to lead sustainable land and water management solutions.
“The Master’s Programme forms part of one of ReNOKA’s key change areas—Skills and Knowledge—which focuses on developing and harnessing the expertise needed to safeguard Lesotho’s natural resources for generations to come,” said Advocate Mohale.
Through partnerships with academic institutions and development organisations, ReNOKA creates opportunities for young professionals to enhance their expertise and contribute to Lesotho’s environmental transformation.
Looking Ahead: From Classroom to Catchment
As these graduates advance their careers, their impact will reach communities, institutions, and landscapes across Lesotho, known as the Water Tower of Southern Africa. Their achievement marks both a personal milestone and a national step toward building a skilled, resilient workforce dedicated to sustainable resource management.
The chairperson called the graduates to make their contributions count, not only in Lesotho, but across the African continent.
