adminMASERU. – A millionaire political novice has won the most votes in Lesotho’s legislative elections but fell short of securing a parliamentary majority that could have ended long-running political gridlock.
Revolution for Prosperity (RFP), a party set up only six months ago by a 64-year-old businessman Sam Matekane, won 56 out of 120 seats in parliament, according to final results published by the southern African country’s electoral commission.
The small mountain kingdom has been governed for the past decade by a string of coalition governments that have proved fractious and frail, and no premier has served out a full five-year term.
Matekane, who styles himself as a champion of the country’s business community and was considered an outsider in the vote, came close to an outright win but will now have to secure the support of smaller parties to form a government.
“His track record and people’s anger towards other parties won him votes,” said Tlohang Letsie, a politics lecturer at the National University of Lesotho.
“People see him as their messiah and that has its own pressure. He will have to work hard to make people. . . happy.”
The Democratic Congress party led by Mathibeli Mokhothu came in second securing 29 lawmakers.
The All Basotho Convention party, which led the outgoing government, suffered a sharp drop in support, winning only eight seats.
In an interview before the elections, Matekane said he hoped to turn things around, bringing his business skills to the government to relaunch the economy and tackle public debt and unemployment.
“Our country is sinking. So, we have to try and save (it) as business people,” he said. A philanthropist, he has become a popular figure in the kingdom, building schools, a stadium and even a theatre. – AFP
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