There is a feeling of optimism in Lesotho following last week’s parliamentary elections that produced an unlikely winner in Sam Matekane, a wealthy businessman known for his philanthropic work who campaigned his way to state house on a ticket to rid the country of crime and corruption.
Tired of years of political instability and an economic meltdown, Basotho decided to do away with the old guard and entrusted their future into the hands of a political novice.
But who is Sam Matekane?
Born in March 1958 in a village in Thaba-Tseka district, Matekane is the chairman and founder of Matekane Group of Companies, which has business interests in aviation, construction, mining, property sectors.
He owns Lesotho’s only private owned airline Maluti Sky that started operating in 2017.
He has overcome his humble beginnings to become one of Lesotho’s and Africa’s most accomplished business leaders, and was honoured with a 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award by the African Business Leadership Awards.
Affectionately known as the “CEO of Lesotho”, Matekane was also named as the 2021 Entrepreneur of the Year by Forbes Africa, confirming what thousands of Basotho had known for years – a business magnate who has leveraged his personal fortune to positively impact many of his compatriots through a range of philanthropic endeavours.
Matekane is touted as an action-oriented man capable of rising above crises, a trait considered vital in a country of just over two million people that has not experienced political stability since independence from Britain in 1966.
He endeared himself to most Basotho by committing personal resources to addressing the plight of the vulnerable or promoting the welfare of the nation.
He was instrumental in Lesotho’s COVID-19 response, creating a fund and pouring in millions to secure vaccines, testing kits, constructing dedicated hospital wings and equipping various health facilities for a more robust response.
His Revolution for Prosperity (RFP) party – which was formed in March – won the most votes in the October 7 parliamentary elections, and looks set to form a coalition government with two opposition parties.
“Yes, of course I am going to deliver. Why would I not? I have already been delivering. It’s the beginning of a new journey that we have to take for the next five years,” Matekane said as poll results were announced.
It, however, remains to be seen how the self-made millionaire will ride out the turbulence that has become synonymous with Lesotho’s politics.
The past decade has particularly been rocky for Lesotho, with the southern African kingdom forced to hold three elections between 2012 and 2022.
JN/APA