Sani Pass, Lesotho. 2007. © John Queenan 2007

The Kingdom Of Lesotho is a small landlocked country within South Africa. One of the key entry points to Lesotho is via the Sani Pass, originally developed as a bridle path in 1913 as a passage for wool and mohair traders, this steep zigzagging pass climbs the face of the Drakensberg escarpment to an altitude of 2874m.  The Sani Pass is the only access from KwaZulu Natal in South Africa, to the harsh environment of the Lesotho Highlands, the domain of the Basotho shepherds and their animals.

Basotho Shepherd #3, Lesotho. 2007. © John Queenan 2007

Basotho Shepherds with Angora goat. Lesotho. 2007. © John Queenan 2007

In the early 19th century, having incurred the wrath of Shaka Zulu, the Basotho people fled to the vastness of the Maluti Mountains, where even Shaka’s Impis failed in their attempted to follow them over the plateau of over 3000 meters. Here they developed a unique culture. As one of the few African tribes living in a mountainous environment, they have made many adaptations to their conditions. The Basotho blanket is one example. All around the country you will see people dressed in woollen blankets, often with beautiful patterns. This is the ideal garment for a cold environment, and also has the versatility of keeping the rain off. The shepherds spend the warmer summer months, with their herds of angora goats and merino sheep, on the escarpment living in their huts for the season. Before winter arrives they leave the area and head for the warmer lowlands.

Basotho Shepherds, Lesotho. 2007. © John Queenan 2007

Basotho Shepherd Boy #2, Lesotho. 2007. © John Queenan 2007

The Sani Pass is often impassable in the winter due to snow and ice. The first vehicle negotiated the path in 1948 when it was no more than a boulder littered donkey track. The route, aptly called the “Roof of Africa”, boasts to be the highest road in Africa and third highest in the world and peaks at a heady height of 3200m above sea level! Close to the Sani Pass summit, within a couple of kilometres, is the highest peak in Southern Africa, Thabane Ntlenyana, 3482m high.

I was there in December 2007 and construction had just started on tarring the pass, a project expected to last 5 years, it will certainly have a dramatic impact on the area.

Basotho Shepherd #2, Lesotho. 2007. © John Queenan 2007

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