’Marafaele Mohloboli
PRIME Minister Sam Matekane has appointed 59-year-old Thabo Sekonyela as the new government spokesperson.
The appointment made on Monday this week, effectively lifts the weight off the shoulders of Information, Communication, Science Technology, and Innovation Minister Ms Nthati Moorosi.
Ms Moorosi had been reluctant to speak to the media about government issues. On 5 May this year, she sensationally berated information officers from different government departments during a meeting with her ministry that she was presiding over, accusing them of “not doing your job of engaging with the media”.
According to Ms Moorosi, it had become the norm that journalists directly called cabinet ministers for interviews, further insisting that “ministers speaking directly to the media lacks dignity”.
However, Mr Sekonyela’s appointment as government spokesperson has annoyed some members of the ruling Revolution For Prosperity (RFP), who are claiming that “people who are supposed to retire from the civil service to make way for young blood, are preferred over the youth”.
One of the RFP MPs who preferred anonymity said: “This is one of the names that we have been rejecting for appointment to any post.
It’s sad we were even promised and convinced beyond doubt that he would not be considered.”
Another RFP source said the fact that Mr Sekonyela is 59 years old and had been appointed to the position when he should be going for retirement, had angered scores of RFP youths “who are still out there looking for jobs and have never been given an opportunity to serve”.
“This man who has just been appointed as government spokesperson is old enough to go for retirement. But this government that promised us change has decided to employ him anyway, while there are youths who could qualify for the same job,” said another source.
As if that was not enough, the RFP’s firebrand Abia constituency legislator Thuso Makhalanyane wrote a public post on his Facebook page, ridiculing Mr Sekonyela’s appointment.
“Ntate Sekonyela I’m happy for you Mokhalajoe (meaning old man.) This is the time for recycling, Honourable. I beg of you to deliver in your new appointment, while the youth dance to political songs and focus on insulting each other on Facebook,” Mr Makhalanyane wrote.
“Just so that it doesn’t appear as if I am fighting every disgusting thing done by this government of mine, I say forward ever my fellow 1954…”.
Contacted for a comment, Mr Sekonyela said he was very much aware of the “negativity” surrounding his appointment and promised to give this publication an in-depth interview.
Meanwhile, Mr Sekonyela was appointed alongside Khosi Makubakube, 51, who will be the Coordinator of Parliamentary Affairs.
Mr Makubakube’s new post entails assisting Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Nthomeng Majara in efficiently executing her duties in parliament, attending National Assembly question and answer sessions, as well as overseeing, monitoring, and evaluating the performance of all government ministries and departments.
Speaking to the Lesotho Times also yesterday, Mr Makubakube said he had always desired to work in government, “where I can be able to learn more and also use my experiences and skills”.
“My wish is to make a difference in my workplace through my contribution and to touch the lives of my co-workers through a positive attitude,” Mr Makubakube said.
