Second Plenary of the Multi-Stakeholder National Dialogue on the “Lesotho We Want”

Bo Mme le Bo Ntate, please allow me to pay my Respects to:

His Majesty King Letsie III, who graced us with his presence here,

The Right Honourable Prime Minister,

H.E Mr. John Pombe Magufuli, President of the United Republic of Tanzania and SADC Chairperson;  

H.E. Mr. Dambuso Emmerson Mnangagwa, President of the Republic of Zimbabwe and Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation,

Honourable H.E. Mr.Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, President of Republic of South Africa and SADC Facilitator for Lesotho;

H.E. Dr. Stergomena Tax, SADC Executive Secretary

His Lordship Justice Dikgang Moseneke, Leader of the FT and his Team,

Honourable President of The Senate

Honourable Speaker of The National Assembly,

Her Ladyship the Acting Chief Justice,

His Lordship the President of The Court of Appeal,

Honourable Members of Parliament

Honourable Deputy Prime Minister,

Honourable Members of His Majesty’s Cabinet,

Their Lordships Judges of The High Court and of the Court of Appeal,

Excellencies Members of The Diplomatic Corps and Heads of International Organizations

Leaders of Political Parties, Religious Leaders

The Government Secretary

Chairpersons of Statutory Bodies and Principal Secretaries

The NDPC Co-Chair  and NDPC Members,

Local Government Authorities, Heads of Academic Institutions

Representatives of The Private Sector, CSOs and Media Houses,

All Protocols Observed.

Your Majesty, Excellencies Heads of State, Right Honourable Prime Minister, Distinguished Guest, Bo Mme le Bo Ntate;

It is a pleasure and indeed an honour for me to deliver a message of support on behalf of the United Nations in Lesotho as we conclude this important milestone.  As the English expression goes, first things first: to the Basotho People and their leaders, we say CONGRATULATIONS FOR REACHING THIS STEP.  I use this opportunity to commend His Majesty the King and the Right Honourable Prime Minister for the statesmanship and leadership they have demonstrated. The coalition government, opposition parties in-and-outside parliament have made important contributions in moving the dialogue process forward. The SADC Facilitation Team under the leadership of H.E. President Cyril Ramaphosa and his delegate Justice Moseneke kept the process focussed on vision, purpose and specific outcomes. I also acknowledge the significant contributions made by civil society organisations under the leadership of the Lesotho Council of NGOs with regard to the in-district, diaspora and sectoral consultations. The Christian Council of Lesotho (CCL) has brought to this dialogue process its useful experience in dialogue and consensus-building based on prophetic and spiritual leadership.

Let it be repeated: WE have come a long way: six National Leaders Forums, the first plenary; 389 community consultations during the in-district consultations; 7 sectoral and 36 diaspora consultations; countless informal discussions between stakeholders and the Facilitation Team and partners;  the translation of the Basotho views into reforms language by experts; and now the second plenary.  Together, we walked this path and together we have come thus far. 

I will not go back into the history of the process but I am sure you all remember the evolution: resistance, hostility and tensions in the early days, still some scepticism as the process unfolded, excitement and hope at the 1st Plenary and when Parliament passed the National Reforms Dialogue Act 2018, enthusiasm during the in-district, sectoral and diaspora consultations, attention and complexity in the last few months; and again excitement and hope now with the passing the NRA Bill and with the prospect of this 2nd Plenary.  

This has been a broad-based, inclusive and open process, a truly national dialogue.  We certainly could have consulted further but I guess we also need to make progress.  In any case, the dialogue process has given voice to the Basotho People on the “Lesotho THEY want”.  The outcome is therefore something they relate to.  The adoption of the National Reforms Authority Act provides a vehicle to foster the implementation of the recommendations that came out of the dialogue process.  It offers a much needed legal and institutional basis for the critical steps ahead.  

Your Excellency Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa and Facilitator for Lesotho; Your Excellency Emmerson Mnangagwa, President of the Republic of Zimbabwe and Chair of the SADC Organ on Defence, Security and Political Cooperation; Your Excellency John Pombe Magufuli, President of the United Republic of Tanzania and SADC Chairperson; Your Excellency Dr. Stergomena Tax, SADC Executive Secretary; I am humbly requesting permission to say thank you.  Your presence here today is testimony to your commitment to “We The Peoples” in Lesotho.  The stabilization of Lesotho needs your continuous support, more so during the implementation phase ahead.

Your Majesty, Excellencies Heads of State, Right Honourable Prime Minister, Distinguished Guest, Bo Mme le Bo Ntate;

The journey has been long and tasking, but it’s been a worthwhile effort because it sets the Basotho on a strong path to peace, security, stability and development. The United Nations System is proud of the support provided through the Lesotho National Dialogue and Stabilisation Project (LNDSP).

During the Cold War, Kwame Nkrumah, the first president of independent Ghana was asked to take sides between the East and the West.  In one of his speeches he said:”We face neither East nor West, We face Forward!”.  In his statement “forward” meant neutral but also ahead.  Allow me to borrow his expression.  As we “face forward” to the implementation of the recommended changes in Lesotho, I would like to share 3 messages. 

Message 1

I strongly believe that Another Lesotho is possible.  The Lesotho We Want is possible.  “The transformation of the Kingdom of Lesotho into a just, prosperous and stable country marked by effective and people-focused institutions; national unity of purpose; rule of law, good governance and human rights “ is possible.  I have just quoted from “The Lesotho We Want: Dialogue and Reforms for National Transformation.  Vision, Overview and Roadmap”.  It will take leadership, commitment and courage to make some hard and selfless choices.  To the leaders of this country: you have a historic responsibility and a golden opportunity to turn the above vision into reality.  The success of the reforms will depend upon the choices you make as leaders.  If I may, I suggest that you should unite around long-term goals of the vision, and not be divided by short-term political or personal gains. To the Basotho young and old, to “We The Peoples” of Lesotho, allow me to remind you that these reforms are yours.  Take them, internalize them, own them, work on them along with your leaders.

Message 2

Reforms are very important, but they are not an end in themselves.  They represent a means to an end.  The end is the realization of Basotho’s aspiration to a better life.  The end is development in its multiple facets.  So, there are huge expectations.  Today the Basotho are concerned about the prevalence of poor public service delivery.  They are worried about unemployment and worsening socio-economic conditions.  They have high hopes that the reforms will produce the right and enabling environment to address these issues and more.  Kofi Annan, the former Secretary General of the UN (RIP) said that: “There is no Peace without Development, there is no Development without Peace, there is no Peace and Development without Human Rights”  

Message 3

As Lesotho writes a new page in her history, it is worth reminding ourselves that the implementation of reforms will not come easy.  Over and above the necessary determination and political will, it will require partnerships; it will require financial and technical resources.  As can be seen from the attendance to this event, the Basotho people are not alone.  I use this opportunity to reiterate that the UN family remains committed and stands in solidarity with the Basotho on this journey of reforms and national cohesion.  We pledge our continued support on the implementation of the reform agenda.  

Your Majesty, Excellencies Heads of State, Right Honourable Prime Minister, Distinguished Guest, Bo Mme le Bo Ntate;

As I conclude, let me simply say that I see this as a defining moment for the Kingdom in The Sky and I feel privileged to be one of the witnesses.   At the same time, I am acutely aware that the task ahead is daunting.  However, as our own Madiba (RIP) said:” It always seems impossible until it is done”.  Through the dialogue process that we are concluding today, Basotho have already demonstrated that when people work together, anything is possible.  No one would have predicted that we would be where we are today.  So, I guess I can say that we already have a taste of the impossible made possible.  Which allows me to quote former US presidential candidate Barack Obama and say: YES, WE CAN!

Meanwhile, KE LE LAKALETSA KHOTSO LE BOPHELO BO BOTLE!