Only vibrant debate will do
By Editorial
The former ruling Democratic Congress (DC) party will head for its first elective conference later this month where the party will elect its first substantive national executive committee.
The elective conference will be a test of the party’s claims to be a democratic institution.
It is precisely for that reason that we have taken a keen interest in the happenings within the former ruling party.
We believe the DC can still play a very huge and constructive role in the entrenchment of democracy in Lesotho.
While the party graciously handed over the reins of power after failing to form government last May, we believe it needs to consolidate and remain resolute on its pledge to keep the coalition government led by Prime Minister Thomas Thabane on its toes.
It must play its role as a loyal opposition with dignity.
But there are important issues that the DC must be reminded of as it heads for its elective conference.
The party’s leadership must be mindful of the demons that caused the split with their erstwhile colleagues in the Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD) party.
Unless the DC leadership deals with the underlying issues that triggered the split there is always a possibility, lurking behind the scenes, that the demon of factionalism will come back to haunt the party again.
There are already murmurs within the party over the formation of cliques around certain personalities.
The party must move away from worshipping the “cult of personality”, a key element of Lesotho’s politics, to issues driven politics.
The DC leadership must be candid enough to interrogate their role in the split and work harder to forestall such an eventuality in future.
But the DC leadership must put in place a clear succession formula.
There must be clear term limits for the president of the party and his deputy.
This is essential in any party that claims to be democratic.
The issue of term limits will also ensure there is leadership renewal with the party.
Any party that resists such renewal is bound to collapse.
We also expect the DC to promote vibrant debate within its structures at the conference.
The leadership must not seek to muzzle dissenting voices.
It is only through vibrant debate that the party can deepen the roots of democracy at grassroots level.
This counsel is given in good faith.
We also want to acknowledge the critical role played by former premier Pakalitha Mosisili in Lesotho’s politics over the past 15 years, particularly after the May 26 general election.
To his credit, Mosisili never attempted to hold on to power after the people clearly spoke that they wanted change.
He graciously handed over the reins to Thabane and the coalition government.
The peace that Lesotho enjoys now is largely because Mosisili chose not to cling to power.
Sometimes we think not enough credit has been given to the man.
With Mosisili expected to gradually step aside in favour of his deputy Moleleki, we hope the DC will remain potent enough to play its role as a loyal opposition.
It is in Lesotho’s interest that we have strong opposition parties that articulate and point out weaknesses that needed to be fixed by the coalition government.
Comment by Moithuti on 10 January 2013:
Dear Editor
Mosisili (DC) lost in the elections. He failed to get majority representative in parliament. He did not graciously hand the reigns. It was a matter of must for him to do so. Lets get that fact straight.
Irritated Reader
Comment by Moparamente on 10 January 2013:
Bathong, akere he didnt have the required majority to form the government, ehlile o na tlameha ho nehelana ka marapo a puso. Ha ho ntho eo a tlamehang ho tlotloa ka eona eno, he was obliged to do that.
Ake le tlohelleng hore joetsa ka moo a entseng a gracious thing kateng.
Comment by choatlella on 10 January 2013:
This report is annoying. There is nowhere constitution provided for Mosisli to hold on to power yet there was a political grouping which commanded majority In parlIament. Or did this newspaper believe he was entitled to hold onto power despite losing elections and being incumbent? what a poor journalism! *Annoyed*
Comment by Dear Editor on 10 January 2013:
@Moithuti-BITTER READER!!!!
Comment by kido on 10 January 2013:
no need to get annoyed with the author of the article considering what other African leaders do, typical example Lesotho in 1970 recently Senegal!!
Comment by paul rabs on 10 January 2013:
ntho e ntenang among al ada thin’s is the misinterpretation of this act of integrity by the PM of Lesotho, Dr PB Mosisili, he is honored based on how African leaders notoriously glue them selfs onto power even after a dismal loss, for him giving power like that to Thabane was a surprise to may inhabitants of this bloody contitent, stop losing the point, more especialy people of academics cos yes he lost but thats not how thins are done in africa, Thabane can not do that, ke molisana ea nahanneng Likwena feela ka hloohong, just watch the space, this guy and the groo have nothing for us, unless Selimo comes home.
Comment by paul rabs on 10 January 2013:
point of correction, the former PM, not the PM.
Comment by paul rabs on 10 January 2013:
I am not and wil neva be a member of ABC, but if Selimo Thabane can one day decide to go home, I see the future coz I know him so wel, his personal character, honesty, inteligence combined with smooth political background can do us a great deal, but can not perfom wel in the presence of mind blocked Soulo.
Comment by Goduka on 10 January 2013:
well said Lesotho Times, one of the many definations of democracy just like capitalism is experimenting with posibilities and learning from endless mistakes… DC has to be different and forward thinking.
Comment by Thaba Bosiu # 38 on 10 January 2013:
Well written Editor.
One should note that indeed Leabua Jonathan took power unconstitutionally in 1970, so did many African leaders, so when a man took a bold step and accept defeat, in Africa that action deserves an applause. However, in a democratic state, that does not deserve any applause, it is simply home time. But remember, we are Africans, we can fight for many decades, i.e DRC.
Comment by Moithuti on 10 January 2013:
If someone finds himself in a position to commit crime and does not commit crime,we should not applaude him because the crime rate is high in the country.
lets be logical people.
@Paul Rabs, I met Selimo at COSAS and that boy is the future of this country.
Comment by Bhuza on 10 January 2013:
@ Paul Rabs, that man (Sedimo Thabane) is a politician n nothing else
Comment by Linyebe on 11 January 2013:
@moithuti ehlile u r a learner n u tala bro.DC wl b 4eva a mountain to parties lyk ABC n guess wat its getin stronger
Comment by Lefefooane on 11 January 2013:
So Lesotho Times would applaud a driver who never drinks and drive. It is the right thing to do. Don’t drink and drive. You deserve no credit for doing what you are supposed to be doing. We surely cannot be a society that applauds people for doing what they are supposed to do. Dr. P.B. Mosisili deserves no credit for handing over power after losing the elections. Give credit where it is due.
Comment by Qacha on 12 January 2013:
How is Selimo Thabane related to Bra Tom? I have learnt that he is a strong member of COSAS. Please give us a little bit of his biography.
Comment by selomo on 14 January 2013:
Ke lumellana le oena Linyebe DC ke ntata all political parties in Lesotho, bona come 2017. Ke political party efe e nang le mabatooa a mangata ho feta tse ling, tlohellang ho ithetsa ka combo ena ea lona litapole, lioete le tamati.
Comment by Lefefooane on 15 January 2013:
@selomo & Co, only if you could understand and appreciate WHY we go to elections. That is to say, if you could understand the one and only one fundamental importance of elections. Elections are meant to deliver what is called a government. We go to elections because we want to either renew the mandate of the existing government or give the mandate to another/other parties. Once again you talk about number of constituencies. The constituencies do not exist on their own. Rather you should be talking about the number of seats in the legislative assembly. It is the highest number of seats in the legislature that enables a party/coalition of parties to form government. It is not the number of geographic areas(constituencies) that enables a party/parties to form governments. Stop bothering yourself about the number of geographic demarcations called constituencies rather try get as many seats in the legislature as possible.
Comment by Tlotlisang on 15 January 2013:
getting more seats in parliament does not guarantee this coalition government a victory in the upcoming elections, this is so because neither ABC, LCD nor BNP obtained mandate fro people at grassroots.
Comment by Zero on 31 January 2013:
Yeah jang le siele ma-Devastated Collegues(DC),ba re ha ho sana motho ea ka etsang change ka ntle ho bona??Ke naha ea roneng kaofela ena,hee banna tlohong bothong haholo lona bacha,think with fresh mind,re haheng Lesotho pls.KAOFELA RE CHABANA SA KHOMO OE!!