Lesotho 
New political party formed in Lesotho

The new Lesotho Workers Party (LWP) heading by popular trade union leader Macaefa Billy, was penned by the registrar of societies on August 2, 2001 (Thursday last week), after several attempts by the workers' groups in the country to find a possible and suitable alliance in the present list of the already established parties. 

- We need changes favourable for workers, the present parties are mostly right-winged and have nothing positive to offer to the workers, said Billy.

He said the party was formed as part of the mandate by the workers in their last congress whereby they felt the only way to secure their rightful position in the decision making was to take part in the national polls by posting candidates.

The workers already placed an independent candidate in the 1998 elections.

The party amongst others seeks "to secure decent social standards of living, social security and fair conditions of work and life of all pips," according to the constitution of the party.

Billy said the constitution also bring women and youth in the forefront, advocating for equality and equal opportunities to the national wealth.

While the party is targeting mainly workers from the construction, clothing and textiles sectors, mebership is however open, according to Billy. The party membership is open to individuals of the working class and also offers affiliate mebership to trade unions, NGOs, cooperatives and other civil society groupings, he explained.

Already the party's executive committee of ten people is dominated by women from the different factories of Maseru (the national capital) and Maputsoe. Billy is deputised by 'Matsepo Lehlokoana. 

The Secretary is Mariam Mafike deputised by 'Matanki Mokha-ntso, Rose Lenea is the Treasurer while members are 'Mamonyane Thoahlane, 'Mapoloko Makoa, 'Mamatsaba Matsaba, Nthabi-seng Folomane and Molefi Lechesa (one of the only two men in the committee). 

By Lawrence Keketso, Mopheme

© Mopheme (Maseru, Lesotho).    You can contact afrol-Gender at elin.nordhagen@afrol.com