Maseru, Feb. 11 — The Radiation Protection Agency ( RPA) has reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding human health and the environment by strengthening radiation safety and regulatory measures in Lesotho.
Speaking at the event, Chief Executive officer (CEO) of the RPA, Mr. Mqekela Khesa explained that RPA is responsible for ensuring safety, which involves protecting both people and the environment.
He further clarified that security focuses on the safe and responsible use of radiation by those who handle it.
He stated that the purpose of the event was to raise awareness about the existence of the Agency and to educate the public about radiation and its regulation.
Mr. Khesa highlighted that the RPA regulates ionising radiation in order to protect human health and the environment. He emphasized that if the Agency finds that sectors using radiation are not complying with regulations, it has the authority to stop issuing, suspend, or revoke licences for radiation related activities.
He also noted that it is important for radiation users to understand the laws that guide them, as the Radiation Protection Agency is committed to safeguarding both human health and the environment.
He indicated that radiation is widely used in various sectors, including research and agriculture. In agriculture, he emphasized that it is used for producing improved seeds, enhancing wool and mohair production, and removing parasites from animals.
He stressed that their goal is to promote a safe Lesotho and foster a strong safety culture.
Among the Agency’s achievements, he mentioned the successful hosting of the National Stakeholder Sensitisation Workshop 2025, the establishment of a cancer centre, and collaboration with the Disaster Management Authority (DMA).
Mr. Mojalefa Sello, Inspection Policy Development and Enforcement Manager, mentioned that RPA is a government body established by the Radiation Protection Agency Act No. 7 of 2018.
He mentioned that its primary functions are to regulate radiation sources, ensure their use is safe and peaceful, and protect human health and the environment from the harmful effects of ionizing radiation.
Mr. Sello mentioned that RPA is mandated to ensure radiation safety and security, authorise and regulate the use of radioactive materials in Lesotho, public awareness and Education and research and development .
He explained that light is a form of radiation but it is a more intense radiation as it can lead to serious conditions including cancer, skin darkening and abnormalities in organs. He emphasized that Radiation is commonly used in medical intervention and radiology with its applications extending across various sectors in Lesotho, including Health and Agriculture.
RPA Development Website Award Winner , Mr. Kabelo Lebitsa, Managing Director at Dynamic Source Systems (PTY) Ltd said they participated in a competitive bidding process to develop a website for RPA alongside several vendors. He mentioned that he is proud to share that they were ranked among the top three winning companies who won M5000 adding that it will be beneficial to the company.
“This recognition is a significant achievement for our team, not only from a monetary perspective but also for the credibility and visibility it brings to our company,” he said.
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