Sam Matekane

thumb|Sam Matekane Ntsokoane Samuel Matekane (born 15 March 1958) is a Mosotho businessman and politician who is the current Prime Minister of Lesotho and leader of the Revolution for Prosperity (RFP) party since 2022. Prior to running, he was considered to be the richest person in the country. Matekane made his fortune in diamond mining, as well as through government issued construction contracts. He founded his company, Matekane Group of Companies (MGC) in 1986. Quotes Since I am not a career politician, Basotho can expect a listening leader who puts the needs of the people first. I have said, on many platforms, that I am not in it for the money but to improve the country and the lives of Basotho and I would like to reiterate this point. As a show that I am more concerned about the development of the country, I will not take a salary from the government, but will instead have that money invested into infrastructure and economic development. Basotho can also expect a reduction in crime, increased employment, an agricultural and digital revolution and improved infrastructure. I won’t take a govt salary: Matekane. Lesotho Times (1 November 2022) We have realised that you all have the potential to be in business, but you are sidelined and not given the support that you need, hence we joined politics to correct this. We are killing one another every day. Women and girls are being raped everywhere and there are all forms of crimes. We are going to end all this once we get into government. I’m warning criminals to stop these acts immediately,. All these things can only be possible if you vote for the RFP. That’s the only way you can determine the future that you want to see. We will not disappoint you. If the government is in good shape, the rest will fall into place smoothly and that’s the way it should be. We must have our lodging facilities in good shape by renovating those that already exist and building new facilities. That will attract more visitors to our country. The road will cut through Lesotho straight to Durban from the Maseru Bridge Border Post without travellers having to take the long route that’s currently being used. The project also includes an airport. This will allow for goods to be transported to the sea. We are also going to renovate and upgrade the existing airport to accommodate more people. We got our independence in 1966 and eSwatini in 1968. But looking at where they are today, one just wonders where Lesotho got things wrong and what’s happening. eSwatini is doing thrice better than us and Botswana six times better. This calls for serious introspection. We have made it very clear from the onset that we are going to do things differently and bring changes. Sometimes, with change comes resistance and bitterness, but at the end of it all, we will have effected change. I want to save Lesotho: Matekane,Lesotho Times (23 August 2022) We are aware that it has become impossible for one party to win the elections and govern. Coalition governments are the order of the day. What is left is for the RFP to push hard to achieve an outright win. We need to push hard so that even if we must enter into a coalition government, we have the greater numbers to ensure that our policy agenda is not adversely affected. We are aware that it has become impossible for one party to win the elections and govern. Coalition governments are the order of the day. What is left is for the RFP to push hard to achieve an outright win. We need to push hard so that even if we must enter into a coalition government, we have the greater numbers to ensure that our policy agenda is not adversely affected. In the past ten years Lesotho has been stagnant. We have been moving around in circles. You would think that governing political parties would work together to benefit our country but the opposite has happened. We have learnt that coalition governments are problematic. They have not worked for us in the last decade. The thing with coalition governments is that they are focused on advancing economic interests of a few individuals; they engage in endless conflicts at the expense of poor Basotho. We need to work hard towards reviving the economy and breathe new life into businesses that folded at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. It is not that one is merely after the premiership of Lesotho to protect their interests. That is not the case. We want to make a difference, to steer this ship in a different direction. We have gone past the stage of clamouring for government tenders. Businesspeople who are members of RFP are prominent people who have retired and handed over their businesses to their successors or are in the process of handing over to their children. When we assume government power, the last thing on our minds would be advancing our own interests. It is a fallacy that I have formed a party to protect my business interests. It is a blatant lie that I am trying to protect the interests of my business partners. The white people being referred to are actually my employees and not my partners. Being involved in the mining industry doesn’t deprive me of the right to seek political power. If I make it to government and there are business dealings that concern the same government, I can always excuse myself as a matter of principle. It is ethical to do so. In any event, there will always be panels to award tenders. We have realised that in politics people say whatever they want and get away with it. Nonetheless I made a conscious decision to get into politics knowing it’s not for the faint-hearted. For one to thrive in politics they need to develop a thick skin. But having said that, let me add that we are not here to fight anyone. Our only goal is to serve this nation the best way we can. Let us refrain from calling each other names. We are playing for the same team. That is the national team. We will be coming into nothing because we have been told over and over again that Lesotho does not have money. hen we assume power, we will be starting from scratch, working from nothing. We are going to inherit a government that is broke, a country suffocating under mounting debts. People have lost confidence in the government. We are talking about a country whose debts amount to about 59 percent of the GDP. Our debt problems stem from the fact that we keep on eating without generating much. We live beyond our means. Before anything else, we will have to be disciplined. Before taking a huge loan, the first thing a government should do is assess what it has then explore what it can do with its resources. Indeed, we have water, diamonds and cannabis. These are very important resources which, if utilised properly, can help revive the economy. Countries like Botswana have grown economically because of the prudent management of their natural resources, especially diamonds. e need Basotho to be emancipated economically. We should strive to reduce our high unemployment. It breaks my heart to see queues of Basotho youths whenever there are job openings. That is indicative of complex problems we are faced with. As far as I’m concerned, running a government is no different from running a business. I don’t see any difference because it is all administrative. Matekane wants to go it alone,Lesotho Times (7 May 2022) External links Category:Prime Ministers of Lesotho Category:Businesspeople from Lesotho Category:1958 births Category:Living people