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learn sesotho

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1. Andy McCullough - May 27, 2009

I am interested in learning what the Sesotho word for ‘fishing boat’ (Or small boat is.) Would it be ’seketswana’?

The reason I am asking is I am starting a microloan program for Sesotho people. As I was talking with a donor about this program he said, “oh its like that adage… ‘if you give a man a fish you feed him for a day and if you teach a man to fish you feed him for a lifetime’. And I said ‘no its more. it’s teach a man to fish and give him a loan where he can buy a boat and net and start a fishing business, you feed a family and maybe a community for a lifetime.’

BTW, we are starting in South Africa but if you have needs that you know of in lesotho, I would be willing to talk.

2. Rethabile - May 27, 2009

Hi Andy,
Interesting question. Seketsoana (Lesotho spelling) or sekepenyana would be alright, with a preference for the former.

Remember that Sesotho is the language, so the right adjective for folks would be, Basotho, all by itself, or as: Basotho people.

“I’m starting a microloan program for Basotho people in South Africa.”

I don’t personally know of needs in Lesotho, though I’m sure there are many. Good luck with the program.
Best

3. Pia Hallenberg - August 31, 2009

Hello – do you know of any good audio programs from which I can learn a bit of Sesotho? Basic greetings, counting, names of things?
I worked with a paper in Maseru in 2006 and am now connecting with the paper again. I spent a month in Lesotho, but had little or no Sesotho skills at all.

There’s a small chance I may go back, and as I’m Skyping with staff at the paper I’d like to learn a bit of Sesotho.

I never know which language programs to pick – any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Best wishes.

4. Sandra J. Fulton - October 8, 2009

Helele! I am an American woman, 73 years old, who has been reading about Lesotho for almost 60 years and who greatly admires Moshoeshoe.

I am interested in learning the Sesotho names for the most conspicuous geographical features in the Lesotho. For example, what is the Sesotho name for the Drakensberg, and what does the name mean in English?

What are the names of the major rivers of Lesotho? And what do they mean?

I am, of course, familiar with “The Mountain at Night” — but which is the preferred spelling, “Thaba Bosiu” or “Thaba Bosigo”? I’ve seen it both ways. Thank you.

Rethabile - October 8, 2009

Hi, Sandra.

Helele le uena!

I’ll do my best to take off some time to answer your questions, which are interesting. Beats chain jokes and scam email, by far!

Kea leboha

Chris - November 18, 2009

I am by no means an expert, just an Englishman who fell in love with this part of Africa.
Draken is a possibly Germanic word for Dragon and Berg is a mountain.
In Zulu ‘uKhahlamba’ means ‘Barrier of Spear’. I have no idea what it is in Sotho and really look forward to knowing.

5. busihr - October 12, 2009

Ae Rethabile, ke Seketsoana ausi! Che uena

6. Nadia - November 16, 2009

Hey am nadia 15 from s.a and I’d really love to learn sesotho!! Nd the reason y I want to learn soto is becoz my mmxit b.f Papi is sotho nd I’d love to communicate well with him.waah please hellppp

Mr Sello - November 18, 2009

Hey Nadia I am sesotho educator and I could help and teach you some basics of sesotho, as it is also my mother tongue and major course.

7. Liz Hay - November 18, 2009

Hi ,

We started a bakery in wepener, we specilise in feeding schemes and would like to call it “house of bread” can you give me an accurate translation. I am intersted in other ideas round the bread theme if your readers wish to contribute.

Rgds,

Liz

8. Rethabile - November 18, 2009

Liz,
Literally it would be “Ntlo ea Bohobe” or “Ntlo ya Bohobe”, in Lesotho and South Africa respectively.

9. Liz Hay - November 18, 2009

Thanks much appreciated:D

10. Tsoanyane - November 20, 2009

I would go for “lehae la bohobe” or ‘habo bohobe’ meaning the “home of bread”. Sounds more original than “house of bread” wouldn’t you say Liz?

11. Neo - November 22, 2009

Liz

I hope I am not late, but maybe you should consider the name {Leloaleng} the word is not just about bread but since you said “we specilise in feeding schemes.” the word Leloaleng, Lelwaleng is a place where you go and get food, bread flour, maize flour and grains. I thought your feeding schemes sound like Leloaleng.

I hope it works. please let us know which name you choose.

12. lebo - December 3, 2009

Hi guys,
I am trying to get an appropriate sotho name for my daughter who’ll be born anytime from now a unique name for a special girl who went throu a lot but is still awaiting her set time to arrive.my one and only sister passed away but she’s still healthy,she’s my heroine,sister everything as my parents are no more as well.i feel that it was destined to be…please advice.kind regards L

13. lebo - December 3, 2009

pls respond asap

14. Neo - December 4, 2009

Hi Lebo

I can’t think of a better name that Lineo, Dineo, gifts from God all wrap in one beautiful little girl.
good luck and tell us what name you chose

15. Lebohang - December 21, 2009

Hi there
I have been looking for Sesotho boy names starting with the letter “N”. Suggestions please.
Thanks, Lebohang

Rethabile - December 21, 2009

Follow the comments here, as well as our Sotho forum: http://groups.google.com/group/sotho/browse_thread/thread/438adbe3e105651d?hl=en

16. Rethabile - December 21, 2009

“Napo” comes to mind. “Ntsu” is another one, albeit laden with derivative meaning. “Nku” or “Nkoe” are two more.

Rethabile - December 21, 2009

nthatisi bulane to sesotho

show details 11:26 (2 minutes ago)

Nkhahle, Napo, Ntho, Nkuebe,

nthatisiB.

Rethabile - December 21, 2009

Chitja, Madiela (GPHEALTH) to sotho

show details 11:37 (17 minutes ago)

Possible BOYS’ names are:

1. NKGEKGE

2. NKGETHENG

3. NKHOMA

4. NKOEBE

5. NKOPE

6. NOLOFATSO

7. NTAKA

8. NTENYA

9. NTHEKANA

10. NTIDI

11. NTLAILANE

12. NTOAHAE

13. NTSEBENG

14. NTSHOEKGE

15. NTSOANATSATSI

16. NTSOELENG

17. NTSU

18. NYEDISO

19. NYEMOTSO

20. NYEOE (NYEWE)

17. Neo - December 23, 2009

Another name that is usually over looked is ‘Neo, the name applies to both boys and girls. It means a gift

18. Lebohang - December 23, 2009

Hi all
You guys rock, I have plenty to choose from, a lot of beautiful names too, some I have not even heard of. So thanks a mil to contributors!!
Lebohang

19. Tsoanyane - December 23, 2009

Here are some more: Nkopane, Nthethe, Nepo, Nkokoto, Nkoka, Ntaote, Ntoampe, Ntoahae, Nthako, Nthofeela, Ntšenki, Ntšopata, Ntšupe, Ntalimeng, Nkalimeng, Ntepelle, Nohana, Nkuatsana, Nkhoaba, Ntsie, Nthane, Nthaha, Nthathakane, Ntjabane, Noloane, Nkoliopa, Nkopelo, Nkhata, Nkhaulise, Nkhauli, Nkophara, Nchocho, Ncheke, Ntsuo, Nkhabu/nyane, Nchakha, Ntšita, Ntsoaole, Noko, Nakeli, Ntobaki, Ntaopane, Nchebe, Ntsimane, Ntloheleng, Ntlatlapa, Nkoalla.

20. Cezanne - December 26, 2009

hi. I was wondering if you could tell me what the name “Dineo” means. I heard it is something about gifts or talents??

Rethabile - December 26, 2009

Dineo (in South-Africa) or Lineo (in Lesotho) is pronounced /dee-NEH-awe/ and does mean gifts, talents (a gift from God), and so on. The plural in Sesotho is at the beginning, and is the DI or LI, both pronounced /dee/. Cheers