Postage Stamp, Swaziland

Postage Stamp, Swaziland

Date 1974 Origin South Africa Size 28mm x 38mm Acquired March 2021 From Rosebank Market, Jhb Price R250 for collector’s album

Basutoland

“Lesotho (formerly Basutoland). Bantu Kingdom in the British Commonwealth, which received its independence in 1966. The ruler is the House of Moshesh (q.v.). There is an elected Parliament and Cabinet. Situated between the Cape, Natal, the Orange Free State and the Transvaal. Covering 11,716 square miles it has a population of over 700,000, including 2,000 Europeans, 1,000 Asiatic and Coloured. In addition about 160,000 are working in the Republic, particularly on the Rand. Basutoland is the most elevated part of the sub-continent, having some of the highest peaks, which reach nearly 13,000 feet. A single railway line operates running from the Orange Free State to the capital, Maseru. Europeans live there by special permission, as Civil Servants, traders or officials. Principal industries are wool-growing, cattle breeding and the production of hard wheat, to which the country, with its cold climate, is particularly well suited. Concessions have lately been granted for the opening up of diamond deposits. Missions are very active, and a university has been set up at Roma, under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Church, which draws students from the Republic and neighbouring territories. There are few roads, but a main highway has been begun through the mountains, which will open up magnificent scenery, and give access to areas hitherto reached only by pack-horse. One of the major attractions is the falls of the Maletsunyane, over 600 feet high” (Rosenthal 1967: 313-314).