Qacha’s Nek Urban Council COE

Qacha’s Nek Urban Community lies at the heart of Qacha’s Nek District, perched near Lesotho’s border with South Africa. The town of Qacha’s Nek — its administrative and economic centre — serves as the only urban settlement in the district. It plays a strategic role as both the gateway into Lesotho from the Eastern Cape Province and a hub for cross-border activity. The region’s geography is marked by high-altitude terrain and striking scenery, as well as socio-economic challenges such as water scarcity and limited infrastructure.

The Qacha’s Nek Urban Council, which governs this community, has made concerted efforts to embed gender equity and inclusive development into its operations. As part of Gender Links’ Centre of Excellence (COE) programme, the council has adopted a gender policy, action plans, and a gender‑based violence (GBV) action plan—even with limited financial resources.The governance structure includes 14 councillors (nine men and five women), and several of its committees are chaired by women, demonstrating its commitment to gender representation.  The council also actively promotes participatory public engagement: women, youth, and people living with disabilities are strongly represented in town planning and community forums.