It’s time to go, Metsing

ELSEWHERE in this issue, we carry a story of a bitter power struggle that has engulfed the Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD) party.

Twelve constituencies have now written to the party demanding the ouster of Mothetjoa Metsing and his National Executive Committee (NEC).

The constituencies blame Metsing, as party leader, for the LCD’s shambolic performance in the October 7 general election that saw the party thrashed at the polls.

The LCD won just two Proportional Representation (PR) seats and a measly 12 000 votes, a far cry from just a decade ago when the party was a behemoth on the Lesotho political scene and a darling of the masses, thanks to its social safety programmes like the old people’s pension fund.

The push to oust Metsing and his NEC has now birthed a fresh power struggle with party secretary Teboho Sekata said to be waiting impatiently in the wings to take over.

If Metsing survives the looming putsch, we could yet see another split after the elective conference sometime early next year.

The problems rocking the LCD are yet another reminder of the lack of internal democratic processes to manage succession issues within political parties in Lesotho. And that is a shame.

Metsing has been at the helm of the LCD for over a decade now. The LCD constitution is however silent on the issue of term-limits within political parties.

This unfortunately gives Metsing a blank cheque to stand uncontested at the next leadership conference.

For us, that is one of the biggest weaknesses that has been at the centre of conflicts within political parties in Lesotho.

Party constitutions must have clear term limits. The era of ‘big name’ politicians running political parties like their own fiefs is long gone.

Metsing has served his time and it is now time for him to usher in a new generation of leaders who think differently if his party is to move forward.

If he resists the call to go, Metsing risks being buried politically with his own party in the next election. As things stand, Metsing, and the old generation of party leaders who are like-minded, are yesterday’s men.

Lesotho needs a new generation of politicians who can come up with a new vision to haul this great country out of the clutches of poverty.

The results of last month’s general election were a stinging rebuke to Metsing and other veteran politicians in Lesotho. It is time for Metsing to read the writing on the wall: that his days are numbered.

It would be a big miscalculation were Metsing to seek a new fresh term. He has served the party as well as in government for years and it is now time to move on. Otherwise, the LCD risks yet another split that will further weaken the party.

As an individual, Metsing is a very likeable character. However, the last election has proved beyond any doubt that he has lost the charisma and his political message no longer resonates with Basotho.

Several allegations of corruption levelled against Metsing by his opponents have left him damaged politically. That has left him with little energy to galvanise his shrinking support base.

The result was an anaemic performance at the polls on October 7.

As party leader, the buck stops with him. That is why it would be in Metsing’s interest to step down now and allow a new, energetic leader to take over. This is nothing personal. It is part of the game.

At the back of his mind, Metsing might still be tempted to run again for the leadership of his own party. He shouldn’t. If he does, he would be euthanising himself politically.