Background – Sesotho Media & Development

Executive Director

Welcome Statement

Dear Stakeholders, Partners and our Esteemed Beneficiaries,

As the Executive Director of Sesotho Media and Development (SM&D), an organisation with a history spanning over two decades, I am honored to present this statement outlining our strategic commitment to our partners, target groups and funders. We emphasize a focused approach on expanding programs in HIV/AIDS awareness, gender-based violence, human rights, climate change, and digitalization, demonstrating our dedication to innovation and collaboration with local and international partners.

“Recognizing the significance of organizational strength, we pledge to invest in staff development, foster a culture of learning, and enhance governance practices.”

As we embark on this transformative journey, we express gratitude to our dedicated team, volunteers, partners, and donors, inviting all stakeholders to join us in creating a better future for Lesotho and beyond. Thank you for your continued support and belief in our mission.

Mrs Mamolefe Petlane
Executive Director, Sesotho Media and Development

Executive Director

Welcome Statement

Dear Stakeholders, Partners and our Esteemed Beneficiaries,

“Recognizing the significance of organizational strength, we pledge to invest in staff development, foster a culture of learning, and enhance governance practices.”

Mrs Mamolefe Petlane
Executive Director, Sesotho Media and Development

Ha Nkhema

Organization

Our Background

Sesotho Media and Development (SM&D) is non-profit civil society organization based in Maseru, Lesotho, committed to leveraging the influential medium of film and media to initiate conversations, challenge societal attitudes, and disseminate information in support of human rights. Established in 1999 by the esteemed international filmmaker Mr. Don Edkins, SM&D has been predominantly supported by Bread for the World (BftW).

Throughout its 24-year history, SM&D has evolved beyond its initial core focus on addressing HIV/AIDS-related challenges. It has broadened its scope to encompass a comprehensive array of critical issues, including but not limited to gender equality, child marriages, human trafficking, sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR), child labor, gender-based violence, climate change, digitalization, human rights, economic and social justice, and sustainable development.

At the heart of SM&D’s strategic approach is the mobilization of local service providers and collaborative efforts with diverse local and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs). This synergy ensures that SM&D’s initiatives are fortified with essential expertise and resources, enabling the provision of psychosocial, legal, and sexual health services to marginalized and underserved groups. These include adolescent girls and young women (AGYWs), people with disabilities (PWDs), sex workers, LGBTQI+, adolescent boys and young men, and children, particularly those who have experienced abuse.

Acknowledging the heightened vulnerability of youth to the challenges addressed, SM&D has prioritized youth engagement. Employing mobile cinema units equipped with battery-rechargeable systems, SM&D conducts sustainable film screening discussions in areas without power. These sessions, led by trained youth facilitators, serve as a platform for authentic experiences to be shared on the social, economic, and cultural issues affecting the younger demographic.

SM&D upholds a commitment to transparency and accountability, evident through; regular audits conducted by external firms, open door policy to the public in accessing organisational information, participatory designing, managing and monitoring of projects with target communities etc. The organization’s permanent office and national film center, located at House No. 15 Linakeng Street, Maseru East, Maseru, Lesotho, were inaugurated on November 17, 2022, by the Lesotho Roman Catholic Archbishop Tlali Lerotholi (OMI). Governed by a Board of Trustees comprising 7 members, with a dedicated staff of 16 individuals supported by an additional 12 youth volunteers in various communities, SM&D ensures the effective governance of its operations.

Recognizing the transformative potential of film, SM&D has curated a library of documentary films produced locally in Lesotho and from experiences across the African continent through the strategic partnership with the STEPS Network. Since 2011, the organization has organized the annual Lesotho International Film Festival, adopting the theme “Telling African Stories” to provide a valuable platform for young local filmmakers to share their authentic experiences through the powerful medium of film.

In a strategic outreach effort, SM&D actively engages with radio and television platforms to extend its impact, often integrating discussions originating from community dialogues. The organization’s staff not only contributes to these national-level discussions but also actively participates in campaigns associated with the special days of its projects. This involvement includes the meticulous selection of communities where various services are provided, aligning with the specific objectives of each project.