The gateway to the great mountains of the Berea District, where ancient San tribal cave paintings hide between the rocks and monolith villages – still inhabited, mind you – emerge from the dusty cliffs, Teyateyaneng (often conveniently referred to as just T.Y) is one of Lesotho’s more enthralling and interesting highway towns.
It’s known for its earthy local craft markets, which boom with wood carvings and traditional costumes throughout the week.
There are also weaving galleries and the occasional mountain tavern to enjoy and the city is a great option for further explorations into Ha Kome and Hlotse.
Teyateyaneng is a town located in the district of Berea in Lesotho. Usually abbreviated to T.Y., Teyateyaneng takes its name from the two twin rivers which run on the north (Tebe-tebe River) and the South (Teja-tejana River). Both rivers lead to the Mohokare, or the Caledon River which forms the western boundary with South Africa. They are both named for their vast quantities of sand which means rapid dipping of feet as one crosses them, leading to both names which may well suggest that this is a 'place of quick sands'. Teyateyaneng's name therefore comes from the southern Teja-tejana River, but the name later changed to Teyateyaneng, perhaps due to British influences as the country became a Protectorate in the late 1800s.
The town is situated approximately 400 km south of Johannesburg, 184 km east of Bloemfontein, and 517 km west of Durban, all major metros in the neighbouring South Africa. Teyateyaneng is also the camptown for the district of Berea. In 2005 it had a population of 75,115.
Teyateyaneng is located about 40 kilometers north east of the national capital of Maseru on the Main North I highway, a road that runs parallel to the South African border leading to the northern town of Butha-Buthe. The town is situated on a high plateau at 1,693 meters altitude
Teyateyaneng was founded in 1886 as the capital of Berea by then Chief Gabasheane Masupha, one of the sons of the nation's founder King Moshoeshoe I. The town is the birthplace of many famous Basotho including the late former Prime Minister Dr. Ntsu Mokhehle, renowned musicians Tshepo Tshola and Sechaba 'Fatere' Litabe, and more recently; accomplished broadcasters such as J-Tagg Tsiame
