MASERU – Basotho National Party (BNP) secretary general Ranthomeng Matete last Friday threw his hat into the ring for the presidency of the BNP.
Matete will square off against party veterans Majara Molapo, Professor Kopano Makoa, Pius Molapo, Thesele ’Maseribane and ’Mabatloung Lillane at the March 25 to 27 elective conference.
The Lesotho Times this week spoke to Matete on how he intends to turn around the BNP’s fortunes and make the party regain its relevance in Lesotho’s politics. Below are the excerpts.
Lesotho Times (LT): You said last week that if elected you intend to continue on the foundations bequeathed to the party by its late leader Dr Leabua Jonathan. But what new things do you intend to bring into the party?
Matete (M): We want to emphasise on the fact that the core values of good governance are based on democracy.
We have to be seen to be democratic in our parties. There’s no way that we can jump to talking about the country’s democracy if we do not uphold the pillars of democracy in our own political organisations.
Secondly, people need to be taught that it is not government alone that’s supposed to bring development. The public also has the responsibility to show initiative.
We believe in a mixed economy. We are a centre party and believe that the economy should be controlled.
As the BNP we must have characteristics that distinguish us from other political parties.
LT: What else would you say sets you apart as a party?
Matete: We’re a Christian party and believe it is of utmost importance to protect the fundamental foundations of the faith.
Within the same framework we will also promote agriculture because it is the backbone of the country.
But we have to start putting it into practice instead of just talking about it.
We also look to enhance the role of the youth and women in the party as well as that of the general public.
But the focus needs to be mainly on the youth as we need them to participate in the country’s politics.
LT: What things would you say have happened in the past decade that have adversely affected and weakened the BNP and how do you intend to turn around the situation if elected?
Matete: There have unfortunately been some negative things that have happened such as seeing our party being ousted from government.
That led to us losing friends in the international community who helped us financially to sustain our organisational structures.
We were crippled due to the lack of resources.
We have to strengthen our structures at the grassroots level, to strengthen the base of our party.
Fortunately our resource base seems to be improving, especially after winning the court case whereby we got to retain party property.
People also became defunct as a result of being ousted and recoiled from participating in BNP politics.
Most people developed fear and refrained from being active in politics.
For us to restore hope is not going to be easy. I cannot do that alone but will need help and support from the people.
LT: What other practices would you say weakened the party?
Matete: The reluctance of the people to abide by the party’s constitution is a cause for concern.
People need to learn that the rule of law should prevail.
This will only materialise through thorough political and civic education. By so doing, we will be avoiding the practice of disciplinary hearings. We will only resort to them as a last means.
LT: In the event that you win at the elective conference, do you have structures in place on how your party will approach local government elections?
Matete: The BNP has always expressed the importance of entering local government elections.
It is our number one objective to enter the elections as we can use them as our stepping stone leading to the national elections.
They are one way of weighing ourselves on the Lesotho political landscape.
LT: What do you think needs to be changed about local government elections?
Matete: Local councils are supposed to be a reflection of the central government. But that is not the case in Lesotho. For instance, local governance should emanate from the grassroots.
But the pattern currently is that the power comes from the top downwards and not the other way round. In essence, governance has not been decentralised although it appears as such on paper.
LT: The BNP is struggling to shake off its reputation as an oppressive organisation. How do you intend to deal with this perception?
Matete: I will not go out of my way to deny the atrocities of the past.
But we always have to bear in mind that they were not one-sided. It was a response to a situation at the time.
There were political parties that were abusing people and trying to coerce them into being on their side.
They were playing their politics in a violent manner.
I do not mean to justify what happened. We hope to keep on hammering the fact that we made mistakes on all sides.
I just wish people could own up to the fact that all parties were responsible for what happened.
LT: People have complained that for a political leader, you come across as cold, distant and aloof.
They say you are incapable of relating with people at the grassroots.
Matete: (Laughs out loud). Say that again! What do they say? There’s really not much I can do to change people’s perceptions about me.
But what I know for a fact is that I’ve received substantial support from people ever since I became active in BNP politics. I hope people will always support me.
The funny thing is that I am a chief by birth. I interact with my subjects on a daily basis, from Morija to Ha-Bele.
They have never given me the impression that I am not approachable.
LT: Then where do you think the allegations stem from?
Matete: Maybe it’s just people who are playing their own dirty political games.
But what I can tell you is that when you are a leader, you don’t do things that can lead to people disrespecting you simply because you want to come across as being more receptive.
I can’t go around in pubs and getting myself drunk for the sake of remaining relevant.
For every leader, there should be a code of conduct that sets you apart.
LT: There is a significant number of candidates vying for the BNP top post. Who amongst them would you say is going to provide you with the stiffest competition?
Matete: (Laughs). There is one person who might provide competition for me but I will not provide an answer to that question.
If I do, I would be campaigning for them. I don’t want to do that now, do I?
