By Billy Ntaote
MASERU —The All Basotho Convention (ABC) leader, Prime MinisterThomas Thabane says for the party to achieve its mission of curbing poverty, its National Executive Committee (NEC) should comprise “compassionate people”.
Speaking to the Lesotho Times on the sidelines of the party’s elective indaba held in Maseru at the weekend, Thabane said his vision has always been “very simple in that I am always looking for solutions to people’s problems”.
“My vision has been directing our attention to solving the people’s problems and uplifting our society,” Thabane said.
Asked what qualities he hoped for in the people who would be elected into the party’s Nec, Thabane, who is also the country’s prime minister, said he was looking for compassionate,
giving and humane individuals to drive the party forward.
“Lesotho should have some humanity in it based on the teachings of Jesus Christ: Love thy neighbour as you love yourself,” Thabane said.
“There’s too much food on some people’s tables and no food at all on many people’s tables and only through compassion can we solve these problems. If only this administration could follow these holy teachings.”
The ABC leader added that for the vision to be realised, what is first needed is “a caring society”.
“We also need a media that is free to spread the message, report on what is wrong while also emphasising it when things are done right,” Thabane said.
Thabane urged delegates to elect a leadership that would “put the party before personal gains”.
Meanwhile, on Monday while addressing 1215 delegates from 80 local and two South African constituencies at the closing ceremony of the elective conference, Thabane said the expectation was the new NEC would handle issues differently from its predecessor because “back then, we were in the opposition”.
The ABC formed a coalition government with the Lesotho Congress for Democracy and Basotho National Party after the May 26, 2012 general election had failed to produce an outright winner.
Thabane warned that the newly electedleadership should bear in mind, at all times that as Prime Minister, he needs to know the party leadership is “always loyal and backing me”.
“I don’t want to be a Prime Minister who is always doubtful about the allegiance of people around me,” Thabane said.
“When I enter Parliament, I should know where my people’s loyalty lies.” The outspoken Thabane also implored the delegates to give the new office-bearers the support they need.
“We can’t elect people today and after two days, throw stones at them saying they are the wrong leaders, so everybody should work for the unity of the party.” He further warned party members to desist from using the media to attack each other and work out issues within the party’s internal structures.
ABC ELECTION RESULTS
NEW NEC
Leader Prime Minister Thomas Thabane
(unchallenged)
Deputy leader Minister of Mining Tlali
Khasu (448 votes)
Chairperson Butha-Buthe MP Motlohi Maliehe
(372 votes)
Deputy chairman Kemiso Mosenene (329
votes)
Secretary-general Samonyane Ntsekele
(372 votes)
Deputy secretary-general Lebohang
Hloaele (312 votes)
Treasurer Deputy Trade Minister Prince
Maliehe (639 votes)
Publicity secretary Thebe Mokoatle (528 votes)
Spokesperson Tefo Mapesela (289 votes)
Deputy spokesperson Maseru DA Major
-General Samuel Makoro (277 votes)
OUTGOING COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Lerotholi Pheko, former appointed spokesperson,
contested for the deputy leadership
post but lost to Khasu, garnering
just 293 votes.
Molobeli Soulo, former chairman,
contested for the same post but lost
to Maliehe, garnering only 349 votes.
Futho Hoohlo, former appointed
secretary general, contested for the
same post but lost to Maliehe, garnering
just 227 votes.
Sam Rapapa, former appointed treasurer
(did not contest).
Thabo Thakalekoala, former publicity
secretary (did not contest).
