A fortnight ago, non-governmental organisation, Pitsong Institute of Implementation Research (PIIR), berated Government Secretary (GS), Teboho ‘Mokela, for failing to enter into performance contracts with Principal Secretaries (PSs) as required of her. The PIIR said her failure was unacceptable as the office of the GS played a pivotal role in the administration of the public […]
PARLIAMENT’s Social Cluster Portfolio Committee has recently earned praises for being one of the most effective and transparent parliamentary committees. It has done a tremendous job in keeping the ministries that it oversees fully accountable. The committee chaired by Mokhethoaneng constituency legislator, Mokhothu Makhalanyane, recently intervened and helped end a three-week strike by […]
Tṧepang Tṧita-Mosena, the deputy leader of the Movement for Economic Change (MEC) is one of influential female politicians who have careered to the pinnacle of politics. She took over as the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly after the crunch October 2022 polls. The Lesotho Times caught up with Ms Tṧita-Mosena last week to review her journey in her […]
…vows to deny funding to parties that fail to adhere to electoral laws …says preparations for local government elections in full swing INDEPENDENT Electoral Commission (IEC) Director of Elections, Advocate Mphaiphele Maqutu, has warned political parties big and small, to abide by the country’s electoral laws failing which they would suffer the consequences of their […]
“Our mission is to contribute to meaningful universal connectivity by making communications infrastructure accessible; broadband affordable; narrowing the digital divide and creating a safe cyberspace for all” THE Lesotho Communications Authority (LCA) last month appointed Nizam Goolam as the substantive Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Mr Goolam had been the authority’s Acting CEO since June 2021. […]
LESOTHO Tourism Development Corporation (LTDC) acting Chief Executive Officer, Tebello Thoola, says the miniscule budget, that the department of tourism is allocated, not only hampers progress but also creates an impression that the corporation is sitting on its laurels instead of marketing Lesotho to the world as an ideal tourism destination. For the corporation to […]
ALL Basotho Convention (ABC) leader, Nkaku Kabi, says after his party’s humiliating performance in the 7 October 2022 elections, he had to hibernate and gather new strength. He claims that he is now ready to venture into the world and push his party to reclaim its position in the country’s political space. Mr Kabi […]
Herbert Moyo BY now Basotho and the whole world are aware of the Revolution for Prosperity (RFP)’s stunning electoral victory at the 7 October 2022 where they crushed the All Basotho Convention (ABC) and other established parties on their way to securing 56 out of the 79 constituencies. It is common cause that despite its […]
“I left DC because it couldn’t chart a new economic path for Lesotho,” new parly speaker says, says he is above partisan politics, will steer parly to serve developmental agenda… FORMER Government Secretary and founding member of the Revolution for Prosperity (RFP), Tlohang Sekhamane, was last month elected Speaker of the National Assembly. He succeeded Sephiri Motanyane who […]
THE Commonwealth organisation recently deployed a six-member team to observe Lesotho’s general elections which will be held tomorrow. Ahead of the team’s deployment, the 56-nation association comprising mostly formerly British colonies including Lesotho, said the observer team would be headed by former Seychelles president, Danny Faure (pictured). Other team members are former Rwandan Senator, Jacqueline […]
LESOTHO Congress for Democracy (LCD) leader, Mothetjoa Metsing, who had been in self-imposed exile in South Africa since December 2021, finally returned home in August. He had fled to avoid standing trial for treason alongside fellow politician, Selibe Mochoboroane, former army commander, Tlali Kamoli, Captain Litekanyo Nyakane, Lance Corporals Motloheloa Ntsane and Leutsoa Motsieloa. […]
HIS Excellency Lei Kezhong, the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Kingdom of Lesotho says Taiwan is China’s Taiwan. The comments come in the context of Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan. The visit sparked tension between the US and China. Ambassador Lei recently […]
UKRAINIAN Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dmytro Kuleba, recently briefed journalists from various countries on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and how it has impacted on food security on the African continent. Lesotho Times Editor, Herbert Moyo, was among the journalists who attended the online briefing and subsequently interviewed Mr Kuleba on the ongoing war between the two […]
BEGINNING next week on 24 June 2022, everyone who subscribes to the country’s two mobile communications services will be required to register their SIM cards. This in line with the requirements of the Communications (Subscriber Identity Module Registration) Regulations gazette by Communications, Science and Technology Minister, Sam Rapapa, on 24 December 2021. This week, the […]
LESOTHO Times (LT) deputy editor, Silence Charumbira, recently sat down with newly elected Basotho Action Party (BAP) secretary-general (SG), Lebohang Thotanyana to discuss his party’s prospects in the forthcoming elections. Below are excerpts of the wide-ranging interview including Mr Thotanyana’s views on the newly-formed Sam Matekane-led Revolution for Prosperity (RFP): LT: Congratulations on being […]
PARIS-based Mosotho, Mahadi Granier has landed a prestigious post at Google where she has been appointed Program Manager tasked with driving Diversity, Equity and Inclusion across Google offices in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Known for running Lesotho’s premium fashion show, the Lesotho Fashion Week, Ms Granier left Lesotho during a time when […]
US$302, 9 million worth of goods exported to the US under AGOA in 2021, Lesotho ranked 2nd in terms of value of goods exported under AGOA, US-Lesotho relations will grow from strength to strength TODAY is exactly four years and two days since United States Ambassador to Lesotho, Rebecca Gonzales, presented her credentials to His […]
THE Central Bank of Lesotho has advertised for a new governor following the expiry of the incumbent, Retšelisitsoe Matlanyane’s contract on 31 December 2021. In the meantime, Mr Lehlomela Mohapi has been appointed acting CBL governor. (See story on Page 14). This week, Lesotho Times (LT) editor, Herbert Moyo, engaged Nedbank Lesotho managing director, Nkau […]
THE main ruling All Basotho Convention (ABC) celebrated its 15th anniversary over the weekend. The celebrations were held at party leader, Thomas Thabane’s home in Ha Abia, Maseru. However, the celebrations were not without controversy as Prime Minister and ABC deputy leader Moeketsi Majoro is said to have snubbed the event. Other national executive […]
Over the weekend, the United States Ambassador to Lesotho, Rebecca Gonzales, announced that Lesotho had been upgraded to the Tier 2 Watch List on the US State Department’s human trafficking index report for 2021 in recognition of the “positive” steps taken by the Moeketsi Majoro administration to meet eligibility criteria for development assistance. Lesotho […]
TWO months ago, the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) arrested 74 people, mostly youths aged from 15 to 34 and detained them at Makoanyane Military Barracks. The youths were arrested in an army operation against gangs who have turned the lives of people in the Maseru and Berea districts into a living hell. Dubbed Operation Namola […]
IT has been two years since ‘Mannete Ramaili was appointed chairperson of Standard Lesotho Bank (SLB). The Lesotho Times (LT) this week sat down with Ms Ramaili, a former Minister of Tourism, Environment and Culture as well as Honorary Consul to Ireland who shared her career highlights including chairperson of the country’s largest commercial bank. Below are the […]
says he will focus on winning next year’s elections, slams SADC’s transitional justice idea, says it’s the most stupid thing ever. FORMER All Basotho Convention (ABC) deputy leader Nqosa Mahao believes his newly formed Basotho Action Party (BAP) is the party Basotho have been waiting for all these years since independence in 1966 to take […]
It has been two months since former Attorney General, Advocate Haae Phoofolo (KC), left his post after the expiry of his contract at the end of February 2021. Prime Minister Moeketsi Majoro had attempted to fast-track Adv Phoofolo’s departure by sending him on terminal leave on 14 September 2020. The premier had said it […]
THE Vodacom Group and Vodafone Foundation have pledged US$1 million (about M15 million) for the purchase of Covid-19 vaccines. The pledge came at an opportune time when the Lesotho government is stepping up its fight against the killer virus. It is in this context that the Lesotho Times (LT) editor, Herbert Moyo, this week […]
FOR decades, Lesotho has benefitted from various forms of development assistance from the United States (US) government. Apart from funding to combat HIV and AIDS and other health programmes, Lesotho has also received multi-million-dollar funding under the US’ Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). The first MCC compact in 2007 enabled Lesotho to build new health […]
MOSHOESHOE I International Airport, the country’s only international airport, faces forced closure by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). ICAO is unhappy with the government’s failure to maintain high standards at the airport. The facilities are run down and in a state of disrepair. The government has until next year to refurbish the airport […]
THE board of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) usually holds its meetings every December to decide which countries are eligible for development assistance in terms of the MCC compact programmes. It is also the time when other countries which have previously been selected for MCC compact are also considered for re-selection for new compacts. […]
Ruling All Basotho Convention (ABC) leader Thomas Thabane (Mr Thabane) has largely been consigned to the margins ever since his own party’s national executive committee (NEC) forced him to step down as premier in May this year. Over the weekend, Mr Thabane, who is also the party’s Abia legislator, addressed his ABC members and […]
DEVELOPMENT Planning minister, Selibe Mochoboroane, recently toured 20 government projects across the country and made shocking findings most of the projects remained incomplete despite that the government had paid out at least M2, 8 billion to the contractors. Some of the projects have remained unfinished since 2013 despite that the government had fully paid the […]
