Africa-Press – Lesotho. FOR the past few weeks, we have watched closely as Basotho fiercely argued among themselves after a South African business tycoon, Mashudu Elias Ramaano, ventured into these shores to set up a controversial water and hydrogen project.
There have been charges that much of the debate that has taken place around the project has been driven by sheer ignorance if not outright xenophobic expressions.
Ramaano, a South African, has not helped matters by adopting what appears to be a toxic, arrogant tone in addressing Basotho when he appeared before a parliamentary committee this week. His abrasive style of communication was certainly going to rub people the wrong way.
While there might be some grain of truth in the not so welcoming business environment in Lesotho and the difficulties in registering a business, it is the manner that he has put across his views that appears to have offended Basotho.
The problem is that real issues have now been buried in the emotions following his outbursts. While Ramaano might have a brilliant business idea, he still needs to calmly explain away the issues that make Basotho uncomfortable.
What has brought this stance is the lack of openness surrounding the hydrogen deal. There are also fears that the deal could end up benefiting private individuals at the expense of Basotho.
It is these issues that Basotho want clarified. It is in Ramaano and the government’s interests not to look at this whole debate from a political perspective.
While most of the noise has so far come from politicians, it must be pointed out that most Basotho also share similar fears. They are generally skeptical of foreign businesses having burnt their fingers in the past.
The Fraser Solar deal where Lesotho risks losing millions of maloti to a foreign company is still fresh in their minds. Under the deal, government ministers signed off Lesotho’s assets, putting at risk the future of millions of Basotho.
Basotho would certainly not want to see a repeat of what happened under the Fraser deal. This is what is driving their current fears. Basotho should also not be faulted for trying to protect one of their biggest assets – water.
Water – which has been dubbed “Lesotho’s white gold” – is one of the few things that they have in abundance. It is within their interests that they want this critical resource protected so that it benefits ordinary Basotho and the next generation.
It would be sad were politicians to mortgage the future of this country to a few private players under the guise of foreign investment. While these fears might be exaggerated, it is incumbent upon Metsi ke Bophelo and the government of Lesotho to clearly explain the terms of the deal to remove any lingering doubts.
Basotho deserve to be told what is in the deal for them. Once they have their buy-in, we are confident that they will back the deal. So far, the government’s communications machinery and Metsi ke Bophelo’s public relations arm have not been convincing enough in explaining away Basotho’s fears.
The opaque nature of the deal still looms large in the minds of Basotho. It is for these reasons that they will need to enunciate clearly the terms of the deal.
Basotho are still not clear if Metsi ke Bophelo is a private company or a non-profit organisation. Of course, this could be a brilliant idea that could haul Lesotho out of deep poverty. But it is an idea that must be clearly explained to ensure it has the buy-in of Basotho.
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