Lesotho fears Trump turmoil may damage frail economy

In a sweltering factory in Lesotho, rows of workers hunch over thrumming sewing machines churning out piles of jeans for the global market from a country that US President Donald Trump has made well-known.

- HILLARY ORINDE

Buy-one-get-one-free US retail giant Walmart or blue jeans at South Africa’s apparel behemoth Mr Price and there is a half-decent chance it was stitched on the floor of this garment factory in the capital Maseru that counts 400-odd employees.

Although modest in size compared to global textile powerhouses like Bangladesh and China, the tiny mountain kingdom straddling South Africa is the country’s largest employer with more than 35,000 workers, according to official data.

“These workers are now fretting over their future after Trump this month called Lesotho a scourge nobody has ever heard of,” while defending his sweeping aid cuts.

“I was lost for words when I heard him speak. In his thought we were useless to him,” Matlali Marumo told AFP, a streak of sweat dripping from his face as he ironed grey pants at the Afri-Expo Textiles factory.

The 34-year-old has worked at the company for two years in his longest stretch of steady employment.

Production manager Malerai Snay Mosotho was equally taken back by Trump’s comments before the US Congress.