Lesotho Shepherds Speak Out on Mental Health, Abuse and Harsh Working Conditions

Shepherds from across Lesotho have shared powerful and emotional accounts of the hardships they face, exposing a combination of poverty, exploitation, dangerous working conditions and unresolved childhood trauma that they say is driving a growing mental health crisis. Their stories emerged during a men’s mental health dialogue organised by the Earth Care Alliance in Thaba-Bosiu, Maseru, over the weekend to mark the end of Men’s Mental Health Month in June. The gathering provided a rare opportunity for shepherds to openly discuss experiences that are often overlooked despite the important role they play in protecting one of the country’s most valuable economic resources, its livestock. Participants described lives marked by isolation, insecurity and emotional distress that begin in childhood and often continue into adulthood. Their testimonies highlighted the urgent need for greater public awareness, stronger labour protections and expanded access to mental health support for one of Lesotho’s most vulnerable groups.

Many participants explained that the challenges of shepherding extend far beyond caring for livestock in the mountains. They described living in remote cattle posts where access to basic necessities is often limited and where long periods of isolation leave them without emotional support or access to essential services. One shepherd said obtaining food can become a daily struggle when livestock owners fail to deliver supplies, forcing him at times to survive on plain maize meal without anything to accompany it. Others explained that these hardships become even more difficult because they have little opportunity to seek help or report their living conditions. The testimonies painted a picture of workers carrying enormous physical and psychological burdens while remaining largely invisible within broader discussions about labour rights and public health.

Security concerns were another major source of anxiety raised during the dialogue. Shepherds explained that cattle rustling remains a constant threat in many mountain areas, leaving them in fear of violent attacks while protecting livestock. One participant said shepherds regularly worry about being shot or seriously injured by livestock thieves, making every working day potentially dangerous. Participants also described how severe weather creates additional risks, with some being expected to continue working during heavy snowfall and intense rain despite the obvious dangers. They noted that several shepherds have lost their lives after remaining on duty during extreme weather conditions, highlighting the need for stronger workplace safety measures and better protection for those working in remote environments.

One of the most disturbing issues discussed during the gathering involved allegations of sexual abuse affecting young herd boys. Participants claimed that some children stationed at isolated cattle posts are subjected to sexual abuse by older shepherds, yet many victims remain silent because of fear, shame and isolation. According to those attending the dialogue, these incidents often go unreported because young victims have little access to trusted adults, healthcare services or law enforcement. The absence of support systems leaves many children carrying emotional trauma without receiving counselling or medical care. These revelations underscored the importance of strengthening child protection measures and ensuring that vulnerable young shepherds have safe channels for reporting abuse.

Working conditions also emerged as a significant concern throughout the discussions. Several shepherds complained that employers expect them to perform demanding physical labour without providing adequate clothing, blankets, boots or other equipment necessary to survive harsh mountain conditions. Participants said they are often required to work throughout the year without guaranteed leave while receiving wages they believe do not reflect the difficult nature of their responsibilities. Many argued that although they safeguard valuable livestock, their work is rarely recognised or rewarded fairly. The discussions highlighted growing concerns about labour standards within the sector and the need to improve working conditions for those responsible for caring for animals in remote parts of the country.

Family life and changing social dynamics have also contributed to growing stress among many shepherds. One participant explained that raising children has become increasingly challenging because parents fear being accused of abuse when attempting to discipline their children. He said his children often ignore his instructions and threaten to report him to the police whenever he tries to correct their behaviour. Other participants shared similar concerns, saying many parents now struggle to balance effective discipline with changing legal and social expectations. These experiences illustrate how financial pressures, demanding work and family responsibilities combine to affect the mental well-being of many shepherds.

Several participants also described experiencing degrading treatment at the hands of employers. One shepherd explained that despite carrying out both livestock duties and household work, he was excluded from family meals and instructed to eat outside near the kraal rather than inside the house. He further alleged that the employer’s children were never expected to perform the same physically demanding work and that he was sometimes given food the family themselves refused to eat. Other shepherds said such treatment was common and reflected a broader pattern of discrimination in which young workers are viewed as cheap labour instead of deserving respect and dignity. These accounts highlighted concerns about unequal treatment and the need to promote fair employment practices within rural communities.

The dialogue also revealed how childhood experiences continue to shape the lives of many shepherds long after they reach adulthood. One participant explained that becoming a shepherd had never been his own choice but rather a decision made by his parents when he was still a child. Although he has since accepted the profession and understands its importance, he admitted that coming to terms with that reality took many years. Others described growing up without stable families, working in private homes instead of attending school or never benefiting from wages earned during childhood. Many participants said they were denied both education and parental care, experiences that continue to affect their confidence, emotional well-being and opportunities later in life.

Additional concerns were raised about conflicts involving traditional leaders and grazing associations. Shepherds explained that disagreements between chiefs and grazing committee members frequently create unnecessary pressure on those responsible for managing livestock. According to participants, they often become caught in disputes over grazing permits and communal grazing rules despite having little influence over those decisions. Many expressed frustration that they suffer the consequences of disagreements between leaders while having no authority to resolve the conflicts themselves. These situations add another layer of stress to an already demanding occupation and contribute to feelings of powerlessness among many shepherds.

Addressing the gathering, Earth Care Alliance Programme Director Malefane Matele emphasized the importance of understanding how childhood experiences influence adult mental health. He explained that children learn from the environments in which they are raised and that those exposed to abuse, neglect or violence often grow up believing such treatment is normal. According to Mr. Matele, many shepherds have experienced emotional deprivation and hardship from an early age, making it more difficult for them to develop healthy relationships and effective coping mechanisms later in life. He stressed that improving men’s mental health requires society to invest in healthier childhood environments rather than waiting to address problems only after they appear in adulthood. His remarks reinforced the need for prevention, education and long-term support to break cycles of trauma.

Throughout the dialogue, participants called for greater recognition of shepherds as workers who deserve dignity, legal protection and access to quality healthcare, including mental health services. They argued that despite protecting one of Lesotho’s most valuable economic assets, they remain largely absent from national conversations about labour rights, social protection and workplace safety. The testimonies presented during the event also highlighted the need for stronger safeguards against child labour, workplace exploitation, sexual abuse and unsafe conditions at remote cattle posts. For many of those who attended, the dialogue represented the first opportunity to openly discuss painful experiences they had carried for years. Their stories revealed that behind the familiar image of Lesotho’s mountain shepherd are individuals living with poverty, trauma, discrimination and isolation, strengthening calls for meaningful reforms that protect their rights, improve working conditions and ensure that mental health support becomes accessible to those who need it most.