John Aerni-Flessner
@lesothojohn.bsky.social
Assoc Prof, African History, MSU, RCAH.
Dreams for Lesotho: http://undpress.nd.edu/9780
Historical Dictionary: tinyurl.com/3tyha6jt
Publications here: https://tinyurl.com/ynvwp6c5
Lesotho, Southern Africa, development, borders, running, Michigan
Dreams for Lesotho: http://undpress.nd.edu/9780
Historical Dictionary: tinyurl.com/3tyha6jt
Publications here: https://tinyurl.com/ynvwp6c5
Lesotho, Southern Africa, development, borders, running, Michigan
Pinned
John Aerni-Flessner
Articles by John Aerni-Flessner.
africasacountry.com
Hello to all my new followers!
As handle suggests, mostly Lesotho/South Africa stuff here.
Academic writing can be found in above links.
Non-Academic Writing:
AIAC: africasacountry.com/author/john-...
M&G: mg.co.za/author/john-...
Daily Maverick: www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/johna...
As handle suggests, mostly Lesotho/South Africa stuff here.
Academic writing can be found in above links.
Non-Academic Writing:
AIAC: africasacountry.com/author/john-...
M&G: mg.co.za/author/john-...
Daily Maverick: www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/johna...
Johannesburg!
Are you interested in the history of #water?
Specifically the history of the #Lesotho Highlands Water Project ( #LHWP )?
I wrote a book on it (in @HSRCPress)!
Launch: 6 March, Exclusive Books, Melrose Arch, 1800
RSVP here:
exclusivebooks.co.za/pages/events...
Are you interested in the history of #water?
Specifically the history of the #Lesotho Highlands Water Project ( #LHWP )?
I wrote a book on it (in @HSRCPress)!
Launch: 6 March, Exclusive Books, Melrose Arch, 1800
RSVP here:
exclusivebooks.co.za/pages/events...
Events
Get FREE delivery to all EXCLUSIVE BOOKS stores nationwide. FREE delivery to your door on all orders over R450, within South Africa.
exclusivebooks.co.za
February 12, 2026 at 2:32 PM
Johannesburg!
Are you interested in the history of #water?
Specifically the history of the #Lesotho Highlands Water Project ( #LHWP )?
I wrote a book on it (in @HSRCPress)!
Launch: 6 March, Exclusive Books, Melrose Arch, 1800
RSVP here:
exclusivebooks.co.za/pages/events...
Are you interested in the history of #water?
Specifically the history of the #Lesotho Highlands Water Project ( #LHWP )?
I wrote a book on it (in @HSRCPress)!
Launch: 6 March, Exclusive Books, Melrose Arch, 1800
RSVP here:
exclusivebooks.co.za/pages/events...
Yes, AI assistant on Adobe. There is *NOTHING* I want less than for you to turn my student's assignment into a PODCAST so I can just listen to the paper I am trying to grade.
Why would I want to simply grade when it could be a podcast?!?!
WTF, folks? Stop trying to push your bullshit on us!
Why would I want to simply grade when it could be a podcast?!?!
WTF, folks? Stop trying to push your bullshit on us!
February 10, 2026 at 5:56 PM
Yes, AI assistant on Adobe. There is *NOTHING* I want less than for you to turn my student's assignment into a PODCAST so I can just listen to the paper I am trying to grade.
Why would I want to simply grade when it could be a podcast?!?!
WTF, folks? Stop trying to push your bullshit on us!
Why would I want to simply grade when it could be a podcast?!?!
WTF, folks? Stop trying to push your bullshit on us!
Reposted by John Aerni-Flessner
Cambridge University's Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology will shortly return around 100 Benin bronzes to Nigeria as part of a major restitution initiative - more here:
www.rfi.fr/en/africa/20...
www.rfi.fr/en/africa/20...
Cambridge University museum set to return Benin bronzes to Nigeria
A Cambridge University museum will shortly return around 100 Benin bronzes to Nigeria as part of a major restitution initiative, the UK's weekly newspaper the Observer has reported.
www.rfi.fr
February 10, 2026 at 4:53 PM
Cambridge University's Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology will shortly return around 100 Benin bronzes to Nigeria as part of a major restitution initiative - more here:
www.rfi.fr/en/africa/20...
www.rfi.fr/en/africa/20...
Reposted by John Aerni-Flessner
Cambridge University Museum to return 116 Benin bronzes from the UK to Nigeria:
The pieces are mainly wood and ivory sculptures and commemorative heads and were stolen by the British army in the late 19th century in what is now Nigeria.
>> Our article to come soon
The pieces are mainly wood and ivory sculptures and commemorative heads and were stolen by the British army in the late 19th century in what is now Nigeria.
>> Our article to come soon
February 10, 2026 at 3:11 PM
Cambridge University Museum to return 116 Benin bronzes from the UK to Nigeria:
The pieces are mainly wood and ivory sculptures and commemorative heads and were stolen by the British army in the late 19th century in what is now Nigeria.
>> Our article to come soon
The pieces are mainly wood and ivory sculptures and commemorative heads and were stolen by the British army in the late 19th century in what is now Nigeria.
>> Our article to come soon
Even as construction moves forward on #PhaseII of the #Lesotho Highlands Water Project (#LHWP), compensation is still owed on Phase I to communities impacted by #Katse Dam
groundup.org.za/article/leso...
#Gauteng
#Water
#Development
groundup.org.za/article/leso...
#Gauteng
#Water
#Development
Lesotho dam project misses deadline to pay multi-million compensation claim
Following a landmark appeal case, dozens more community associations have come forward to demand compensation that the Lesotho Highlands Water Project was meant to pay in 2013.
groundup.org.za
February 10, 2026 at 4:28 PM
Even as construction moves forward on #PhaseII of the #Lesotho Highlands Water Project (#LHWP), compensation is still owed on Phase I to communities impacted by #Katse Dam
groundup.org.za/article/leso...
#Gauteng
#Water
#Development
groundup.org.za/article/leso...
#Gauteng
#Water
#Development
Reposted by John Aerni-Flessner
JUST IN: A federal judge in Michigan has rejected the administration's attempt to obtain the state's voter rolls.
Judge Hala Jarbou, a Trump appointee, said the law does not require the state to turn them over.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Judge Hala Jarbou, a Trump appointee, said the law does not require the state to turn them over.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
February 10, 2026 at 2:37 PM
JUST IN: A federal judge in Michigan has rejected the administration's attempt to obtain the state's voter rolls.
Judge Hala Jarbou, a Trump appointee, said the law does not require the state to turn them over.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Judge Hala Jarbou, a Trump appointee, said the law does not require the state to turn them over.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Reposted by John Aerni-Flessner
For those interested in why Black & Caribbean people are going off about the sugar cane from last night's halftime show: sugar is a plantation commodity that fueled slavery & colonialism
bookshop.org/p/books/swee...
bookshop.org/p/books/swee...
Sweetness and Power: The Place of Sugar in Modern History
The Place of Sugar in Modern History
bookshop.org
February 9, 2026 at 5:14 PM
For those interested in why Black & Caribbean people are going off about the sugar cane from last night's halftime show: sugar is a plantation commodity that fueled slavery & colonialism
bookshop.org/p/books/swee...
bookshop.org/p/books/swee...
Reposted by John Aerni-Flessner
It was transforming the biggest NFL stage in the world into a sugar cane plantation that did it for me.
Like, the multiple layers of turning an American icon into a plantation and highlighting the history of exploitation of Black and Brown bodies by the NFL and American colonialism simultaneously?
Like, the multiple layers of turning an American icon into a plantation and highlighting the history of exploitation of Black and Brown bodies by the NFL and American colonialism simultaneously?
February 9, 2026 at 1:54 AM
It was transforming the biggest NFL stage in the world into a sugar cane plantation that did it for me.
Like, the multiple layers of turning an American icon into a plantation and highlighting the history of exploitation of Black and Brown bodies by the NFL and American colonialism simultaneously?
Like, the multiple layers of turning an American icon into a plantation and highlighting the history of exploitation of Black and Brown bodies by the NFL and American colonialism simultaneously?
Reposted by John Aerni-Flessner
My book is out! Order it today!
#Lesotho
#SouthAfrica
#LesothoHighlandsWaterProject
#History
#Apartheid
#ColdWar
#Development
#ServiceDelivery
#Lesotho
#SouthAfrica
#LesothoHighlandsWaterProject
#History
#Apartheid
#ColdWar
#Development
#ServiceDelivery
February 6, 2026 at 9:11 PM
My book is out! Order it today!
#Lesotho
#SouthAfrica
#LesothoHighlandsWaterProject
#History
#Apartheid
#ColdWar
#Development
#ServiceDelivery
#Lesotho
#SouthAfrica
#LesothoHighlandsWaterProject
#History
#Apartheid
#ColdWar
#Development
#ServiceDelivery
Reposted by John Aerni-Flessner
Wow, the site of the 2026 American Society for Legal History Conference share.google/xKwvzDOCRbIK... is the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity! share.google/l1NqChfrtKPV...
Home
Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity is a learning organization built upon an extraordinary legacy of excellence in artistic and creative development.
share.google
February 5, 2026 at 4:08 PM
Wow, the site of the 2026 American Society for Legal History Conference share.google/xKwvzDOCRbIK... is the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity! share.google/l1NqChfrtKPV...
Reposted by John Aerni-Flessner
We see so much content but so little art that when it breaks through it's like breathing again.
Sir Ian McKellen performing a monologue from Shakespeare’s Sir Thomas More on the Stephen Colbert show. Never have I heard this monologue performed with such a keen sense of prescience. Nor have I ever been in this exact historical moment.TY Sir Ian, for reaching us once again.
#Pinks #ProudBlue
#Pinks #ProudBlue
February 5, 2026 at 4:08 PM
We see so much content but so little art that when it breaks through it's like breathing again.
Cape Town!
Are you interested in the history of #water? Specifically the history of the #Lesotho Highlands Water Project (#LHWP)?
Well, I wrote a book on it!
Launch: 27 Feb, Exclusive Books, Waterfront, 1800
RSVP here and come hear me talk!
exclusivebooks.co.za/pages/events...
Are you interested in the history of #water? Specifically the history of the #Lesotho Highlands Water Project (#LHWP)?
Well, I wrote a book on it!
Launch: 27 Feb, Exclusive Books, Waterfront, 1800
RSVP here and come hear me talk!
exclusivebooks.co.za/pages/events...
Events
Get FREE delivery to all EXCLUSIVE BOOKS stores nationwide. FREE delivery to your door on all orders over R450, within South Africa.
exclusivebooks.co.za
February 4, 2026 at 3:45 PM
Cape Town!
Are you interested in the history of #water? Specifically the history of the #Lesotho Highlands Water Project (#LHWP)?
Well, I wrote a book on it!
Launch: 27 Feb, Exclusive Books, Waterfront, 1800
RSVP here and come hear me talk!
exclusivebooks.co.za/pages/events...
Are you interested in the history of #water? Specifically the history of the #Lesotho Highlands Water Project (#LHWP)?
Well, I wrote a book on it!
Launch: 27 Feb, Exclusive Books, Waterfront, 1800
RSVP here and come hear me talk!
exclusivebooks.co.za/pages/events...
Two soldiers from the #Lesotho Defence Force (#LDF) were arrested and charged with stealing firearms they were allegedly going to sell to #zamazamas (illegal miners) in South Africa:
groundup.org.za/article/leso...
groundup.org.za/article/leso...
Lesotho soldiers arrested for selling firearms to zama zamas
The two accused were arrested with guns they could not prove were in their possession lawfully
groundup.org.za
February 4, 2026 at 1:11 PM
Two soldiers from the #Lesotho Defence Force (#LDF) were arrested and charged with stealing firearms they were allegedly going to sell to #zamazamas (illegal miners) in South Africa:
groundup.org.za/article/leso...
groundup.org.za/article/leso...
Reposted by John Aerni-Flessner
The Lesotho government has welcomed the extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which grants duty-free access to the US market for several African countries.
Read groundup.org.za/article/leso... by Sechaba Mokhethi
Read groundup.org.za/article/leso... by Sechaba Mokhethi
Lesotho welcomes AGOA extension
But the trade agreement with the US is only extended to December
groundup.org.za
February 4, 2026 at 12:54 PM
The Lesotho government has welcomed the extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which grants duty-free access to the US market for several African countries.
Read groundup.org.za/article/leso... by Sechaba Mokhethi
Read groundup.org.za/article/leso... by Sechaba Mokhethi
Reposted by John Aerni-Flessner
Reading. www.nytimes.com/2026/02/03/u...
Colleges See Major Racial Shifts in Student Enrollment
www.nytimes.com
February 3, 2026 at 2:24 PM
Reading. www.nytimes.com/2026/02/03/u...
As assessment of how #Lesotho is doing in the export sector one year on from it being hit hard by the #TrumpTariffs from the USA.
In short, it is trying to diversify its export destinations but still has a lot of uncertainty.
#Development
#Economics
www.ftm.eu/articles/wha...
In short, it is trying to diversify its export destinations but still has a lot of uncertainty.
#Development
#Economics
www.ftm.eu/articles/wha...
What a tiny African nation reveals about the harsh reality of Trump’s tariffs
U.S. President Donald Trump imposed eye-watering tariffs on Lesotho and cut aid last year, plunging the small African nation into turmoil. Brussels and Beijing are now looking at ways to expand their ...
www.ftm.eu
February 3, 2026 at 2:20 PM
As assessment of how #Lesotho is doing in the export sector one year on from it being hit hard by the #TrumpTariffs from the USA.
In short, it is trying to diversify its export destinations but still has a lot of uncertainty.
#Development
#Economics
www.ftm.eu/articles/wha...
In short, it is trying to diversify its export destinations but still has a lot of uncertainty.
#Development
#Economics
www.ftm.eu/articles/wha...
Reposted by John Aerni-Flessner
CFP: explore the historical relationships among natural resources, institutions & socio-environmental change at the POLITICAL ECONOMY OF NATURAL RESOURCES & ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE IN HISTORY summer school!
18–20 June 2026, U of Tübingen
500-word abstract & 2-page CV to ehtuebingen@gmail.com by Feb 23.
18–20 June 2026, U of Tübingen
500-word abstract & 2-page CV to ehtuebingen@gmail.com by Feb 23.
January 29, 2026 at 3:43 PM
CFP: explore the historical relationships among natural resources, institutions & socio-environmental change at the POLITICAL ECONOMY OF NATURAL RESOURCES & ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE IN HISTORY summer school!
18–20 June 2026, U of Tübingen
500-word abstract & 2-page CV to ehtuebingen@gmail.com by Feb 23.
18–20 June 2026, U of Tübingen
500-word abstract & 2-page CV to ehtuebingen@gmail.com by Feb 23.
High-#altitude training center in #Lesotho, constructed in 2005, still sitting abandoned and rotting in #Mokhotlong at 2200 meters. A missed opportunity, for sure!
groundup.org.za/article/leso...
groundup.org.za/article/leso...
Lesotho’s failed multi-million rand high-altitude sports centre
The decaying Rapokolana facility was built in 2005 but has never been fully operational. It is a missed opportunity for athletes from South Africa and Lesotho.
groundup.org.za
January 29, 2026 at 1:01 PM
High-#altitude training center in #Lesotho, constructed in 2005, still sitting abandoned and rotting in #Mokhotlong at 2200 meters. A missed opportunity, for sure!
groundup.org.za/article/leso...
groundup.org.za/article/leso...
#Lesotho and #SouthAfrican groups call on the government of RSA to scrap " #apartheid-era #passport " laws between the two countries:
groundup.org.za/article/call...
groundup.org.za/article/call...
Call to scrap “apartheid-era” passport control with Lesotho
A human rights organisation has petitioned South Africa’s Parliament to scrap passports at Lesotho borders
groundup.org.za
January 29, 2026 at 12:58 PM
#Lesotho and #SouthAfrican groups call on the government of RSA to scrap " #apartheid-era #passport " laws between the two countries:
groundup.org.za/article/call...
groundup.org.za/article/call...
Reposted by John Aerni-Flessner
Ypsilanti Community Schools reports that ICE is targeting YCS schools.
It is even more imperative that MI pass legislation protecting schools, courthouses and places of worship (SBs 508-510). People shouldn't be afraid of facing violence from untrained, reckless, and unaccountable federal agents.
It is even more imperative that MI pass legislation protecting schools, courthouses and places of worship (SBs 508-510). People shouldn't be afraid of facing violence from untrained, reckless, and unaccountable federal agents.
Senate Bill 349 of 2025 (Public Act 57 of 2025) - Michigan Legislature
www.legislature.mi.gov
January 28, 2026 at 4:48 AM
Ypsilanti Community Schools reports that ICE is targeting YCS schools.
It is even more imperative that MI pass legislation protecting schools, courthouses and places of worship (SBs 508-510). People shouldn't be afraid of facing violence from untrained, reckless, and unaccountable federal agents.
It is even more imperative that MI pass legislation protecting schools, courthouses and places of worship (SBs 508-510). People shouldn't be afraid of facing violence from untrained, reckless, and unaccountable federal agents.
Reposted by John Aerni-Flessner
There are many research hosting services out there. Lots of them want to host your work in order to mine it for profit. Knowledge Commons wants to build a coalition of researchers, teachers, students, and more, in order to resist the authoritarian effort to undermine public access to knowledge.
Knowledge Commons – Open access, open source, open to all
hcommons.org
January 28, 2026 at 2:46 PM
There are many research hosting services out there. Lots of them want to host your work in order to mine it for profit. Knowledge Commons wants to build a coalition of researchers, teachers, students, and more, in order to resist the authoritarian effort to undermine public access to knowledge.
Reposted by John Aerni-Flessner
Important letter from the University of Michigan AAUP chapter and @aaup.org national challenging the expansion of surveillance practices at our university: umaaup.org/2026/01/23/a...
AAUP Sends Letter of Concern Regarding Expanding Surveillance at the University of Michigan
January 23, 2026Via email and physical mailDomenico Grasso, President, University of Michigan3190 Ruthven Building1109 Geddes Ave.Ann Arbor, MI 48109grasso@umich.eduDear President Grasso,The AAUP (…
umaaup.org
January 23, 2026 at 7:03 PM
Important letter from the University of Michigan AAUP chapter and @aaup.org national challenging the expansion of surveillance practices at our university: umaaup.org/2026/01/23/a...
Reposted by John Aerni-Flessner
The song exists in the historical record as history of defiance to slave catchers, to family separation, to immoral detention and capture and forced migration.
January 23, 2026 at 7:40 PM
The song exists in the historical record as history of defiance to slave catchers, to family separation, to immoral detention and capture and forced migration.
Reposted by John Aerni-Flessner
"My mother, she sing and pray to the Lord to deliver us out of slavery," he said. "She always said she thankful she was never sold from her children."
January 23, 2026 at 7:40 PM
"My mother, she sing and pray to the Lord to deliver us out of slavery," he said. "She always said she thankful she was never sold from her children."