The new Prime Minister, Mr. Ntsokoane Samuel Matekane has been inaugurated as the Prime Minister of Lesotho at an event held at the Setsoto Stadium on Friday.
Their Majesties, King Letsie lll and Queen ‘Masenate Mohato Seeiso, Heads of State from the region and those from abroad witnessed the Prime Minister taking the oath before Chief Justice Sakoane Sakoane and other judiciary members including Basotho from different places in the country.
Mr. Matekane vowed to be a true and faithful Prime Minister, emphasizing the importance of ensuring implementation of the reforms agenda, and promised to uproot corruption while also carrying forward “The Lesotho We Want.”
He assured the nation that as the Leader of RFP together with his coalition partners Alliance of Democrats and Movement for Economic Change (MEC) will never disappoint the nation. He urged all to pray for this coalition government.
In his speech, the new Prime Minister said Lesotho’s economy is in recession, saying he is convinced that God’s grace is sufficient for him, hence he will do all that is possible in his power together with coalition partners to reshape the image of Lesotho economically and otherwise despite the many challenges facing Lesotho that include climate change.
When handing over reigns of power, the outgoing Prime Minister, Dr Moeketsi Majoro congratulated the incoming Prime Minister, Mr. Matekane of RFP as well as his coalition partners, noting that this achievement is born out of October 07, 2022, general elections.
The President of South Africa, in his capacity as Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) facilitator in Lesotho, President Cyril Ramaphosa congratulated the new Prime Minister and Basotho for exercising their democratic right during elections.
“We have also come to thank this nation that they went further to protect SA and its citizens during the apartheid regime in SA. We urge Basotho to continue maintaining peace and stability in Lesotho.”
He commended His Majesty as well as Dr Majoro for their support, and further applauded Basotho for their determined peace in Lesotho, saying he is hopeful that Lesotho will never appear on the SADC agenda due to instabilities again.
On behalf of SADC, the President of Namibia, His Excellency Huge Geingob said today is the day the Lord has made, and Basotho should rejoice in it.
“When I look at the faces of Basotho, the joy and jubilations, today looks like an Independence Day for the nation.
The Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) guard of honour made up of 144 officers was inspected by His Majesty prior to the inauguration. Four Helicopters (a partnership between LDF and LMPS) were also seen in the air as part of gracing this auspicious event.
Today’s ceremony which commenced with a prayer service led by the Christian Council of Lesotho (CCL) follows Lesotho’s general polls and swearing-in of Parliamentarians this week.
By Maseipone Mokhethi
