One of the most important things to us in our work both with MAF and PCC is making sure we get out of the way of skilled, passionate local Basotho and let them do what they are good at. I don’t even want to use the word ‘empowerment,’ because that makes it sound like they needed us to get that power in the first place. So I am deliberately saying ‘we try to get out of the way’ so that they can do what they are already so good at doing.

For PCC this might mean that we get out of the way and allow the staff to make the decisions for the direction of the Centre, for the solutions to problems, and so on. At MAF it means getting out of the way to ensure the skilled national staff are doing what they are so good at and have been training for over the course of years, and sometimes decades.

There is no better example of this than Ntate ‘Joe’ Kheteng. He has been a mechanic with MAF Lesotho since the 90’s, and is now our most skilled and experienced mechanic on the floor. His wisdom, experience and relentless pursuit for safety make him such an example to everyone at MAF.

I made a video about him. I attempted to capture the way that Ntate Joe holds profound wisdom and deep humor in his hands at all times.

Enjoy.