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. The Trading Post - Ramabanta A fine village on the main road to Semonkong, about forty-five minutes from Roma, Ramabanta is a trading centre for the surrounding area and more recently has become a tourist destination and a base for adventure in central Lesotho. Ramabanta - from Ra; father - ma; the noun prefix - and banta; ribbon, girth or shoulder piece. An old chief who lived in this area, probably around the early 1900's was very fond of the bright maroon belts of the British army uniform and tended to wear them himself. He was named the " Father of the belt ".
The car door sign tells a story
Climbing out of the Senqu Valley from Mokupung - with Ashley Thorn ( right ). An adventure organised by Ashley Thorn and Trading Post Adventures into the Senqu (Orange River) Valley via the Ha Topa village and Lipamoleng Pass. The pass was repaired during this adventure and previous visits by our group and made passable for vehicles with high clearance and good traction. During our climb up from the Mokopung Ha Nkau sheep station a great storm came over the pass. Torrential rain caused severe flooding and rivers of mud and large rock streamed down the mountain over and along the newly repaired road. In this image steel cables are being rigged to assist some vehicles which have completely lost traction on the black cotton mud. All vehicles were able to reach the village at the summit of the pass. However, after later severe storms the pass became too damaged for normal vehicles. New attemps are currently underway to repair this vital road which effectively links the north of Lesotho with the south. In the distance in the image is the area of Seforong and the mission station of Christ the King.
The main luxury rondavels The old trading store in the background reminds us of past activities
Early morning and the askari leaves for his bed. A morning star rises over the still darkened rooms.
Old stores Autumn view towards the Makhaleng Valley
La Patronne on the early watch.
The back door to the wharehouse also tells a story Marketing, the good old fashioned way. Power signs.
On the road to Semonkong:
The unspoilt village of Ha Lebokose a few kilometres from Ramabanta, on the Semonkong road.
Wood and daub built houses are common on the Semonkong road. The stone and thatch method
For more on Ramabanta contact: Jennifer Thorn Roma Trading Post Guest House P.O. Box 64 Maseru, Lesotho Tel/Fax +266 22 34 02 02 during office hours Tel: +266 22 34 02 67 after hours Mobile Tel: 082 773 21 80 e-mail tradingpost@leo.co.ls url : www.tradingpost.co.za
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