Mofolo vows to transform Kolonyama

KOLONYAMA – Having risen through the ranks of the Basotho National Party (BNP) – a party that for long has been linked with royalty – Morero Mofolo is carrying the party’s hopes in Kolonyama 18 constituency in next Friday’s election.

Mofolo, who is not of royal lineage, comes from Ha ‘Nena, Kolonyama. He comes from a family that has since been affiliated to Tlholo-ea-Mathata, as the BNP is affectionately known, although they were not at the forefront or actively involved.

Mofolo has gone through different ranks in the BNP both at constituency and national level.

Currently, he is a coordinator for BNP activities in the northern region of the country.

“I have worked in different structures of the BNP from 2016 when I was a constituency coordinator in Kolonyama. In 2018, I was elected as the chairperson of the constituency and later appointed to the executive committee as northern region organiser for the party,” Mofolo said.

He said he decided to join politics to effect change in society, putting lessons he has learned from countries that he has visited into practice for the benefit of Basotho.

“I have been to a number of countries and became inspired by the general development that exists there. It has been my mission to drive such development to Lesotho, but the only comprehensive way it can be made is through politics.

“The only source of power to bring about positive change is politics. If you haven’t gone out you might think your mom is the best cook, but if you eat out you would soon realise that the reverse holds,” he said.

Among the list of political parties to contest for the general elections, Mofolo said he chose to represent the BNP because of the values and virtues that he believes the party has been advocating.

He is of the view that the BNP is the only party that has proven “to outlive the test of time”.

“Besides coming from a BNP family, I decided to stand for the elections under this party because it upholds policies and ethos close to my heart. The BNP is driven by Christianity, which gives guidance to our moral well-being and it is what I am passionate about.

To see people have a decent life is also what is being embraced by the BNP and this principle of humanity has me attached to the party,” he said.

From a political analysis, he said he has noted that coalition governments have a negative impact on governance because they encourage impunity for fear that holding officials to account could upset coalition partners.

“Leaders in a coalition always shy away from holding people accountable as they are afraid to be met with a vote of no confidence which would result in them losing power,” said Mofolo.

Following in the footsteps of BNP co-founder, Chief Leabua Jonathan, as has been stated in his biography titled: “But Give Him an Army Too” which is written by the late Desmond Tšepo Sixishe, Mofolo describes himself as a grassroots person.

“I can easily relate to any Mosotho on the ground and can engage with people from all walks of life,” he said.

According to Mofolo, what makes an ideal leader is being able to exercise patience and tolerance.

“Above all it’s important for a leader to apply justice for all and be wise enough to execute good decisions,” he said.

Outspokenness is one quality which separates Mofolo from other people for he can call a spade a spade even under fierce circumstances.

“A good leader should be the voice of the voiceless; they must use their power accordingly to ensure that disadvantaged communities are represented. They have to have the inborn ability to lead,” he said.

Mofolo has highlighted that Kolonyama as a constituency is a diverse place and therefore needs a versatile leader.

“There is interaction of people with different lifestyles and tastes as some people are still attached to traditional lifestyles while others have adapted to modern lives.

What remains as the common challenge in the constituency is poverty and lack of employment,” he said.

Also, most family and social ties within the constituency have been broken due to the high number of people migrating to seek work in South Africa.

“Our communities have been negatively affected by migration of people who work as zama-zamas, farm workers, domestic workers and other informal jobs in South Africa. Again, stock theft is prevalent here and that has contributed negatively to the economy,” Mofolo said.

Mofolo believes that it’s high time that the education system is revised to move away from solely concentrating on issues of literacy to remedy the situation of high employment.

He advocates for vocational training in areas such as agriculture, which plays an important role in catering for the welfare of the people in the constituency.

Mofolo says Kolonyama has quality arable land that can be utilised for mass production.

“There is ample land for agriculture in the area. It’s the same land that was used to produce tons and tons of grains that was exported to as far as Mozambique in the past. The place is also suitable for growing fruits and productive orchards can be established here,” he said.

There are many social services that Mofolo has rendered to the constituency.

He is known to be the chauffeur of the poor in the community as he is always ready to meet the logistical needs of those in need like transporting the deceased to and from mortuaries.

He is also influential in sports and has promoted youth participation in different sporting disciplines.

“I am the chairperson of the village patrol unit of Ha Nena to ensure the general safety of the residents.

Since my participation in this body, crime in the area has subsided. As the leader of the Village Crime Prevention Committee I liaise with the police to bring about order in the community,” he said.

Mofolo has acknowledged the support which he has received from the BNP leader to prepare for the election.

“I am grateful to the leader of the BNP, Machesetsa Mofomobe, who has given me unswerving support in preparing for these election.

He has equipped me with all he has at his disposal to make sure that I run a smooth campaign. It has never been easy in politics but to have such a leader who has filled me with courage has kept me going,” he said.

Mofolo is optimistic that he will turn the tables and history by winning the Kolonyama constituency for the BNP.

“We all know that a prophet is not accepted in his home town that’s why it wasn’t easy even for Morena Leabua to win this constituency. However, he went all the way to constructively bring development in the country,” he said.

Calvin Motekase