Africa-Press – Lesotho. Movement for Economic Change (MEC) parliamentarian, Hon. Tšepang ‘Matlhohonolofatso Tšita-Mosena was last week elected SADC Parliamentary Forum Standing Committee on Trade, Industry, Finance and Infrastructure. The responsibility befell Hon.
Tšita-Mosena on Thursday following a joint session on reinforcing the linkages between parliamentary interventions and policy initiatives on SRHR, HIV and Governance-towards a catalytic framework for SADC regional integration and development.
The session was held in Johannesburg South Africa. Out of her new role, she said she will be part of the regional leadership to drive African Union Agenda 2063, a strategic framework for the socio-economic transformation for The Dark Continent tenured 50 years.
It seeks to accelerate implementation of initiatives for growth and sustainable development. Because she is at the trade, finance and infrastructure leadership regional parliamentary driving seat, she is of the view that she will have no option but to push even harder for the same even back home.
She said there would be no logic in demanding progress from other nations when her own backyard is lagging behind. Compared to other developing nations in Africa and beyond, she said Lesotho seems to be moving at tortoise speed.
The economy of the country is challenged and seriously comprised by leadership, which she hopes to influence otherwise. Her focus, she said, will also be on women economic emancipation.
She told Informative yesterday: “They elected Lesotho out of qualities of she whom they elected. It is my observation because I know I did not lobby anyone.
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When voting for chairs and their vices, she said member countries traditionally lobby each other to secure the positions, but it having been her first time to have even met the members, she is convinced they were charmed by her fierce contribution and direction.
She expressed gratitude for other countries’ choice. In the National Assembly on the Mpilo Mountain, she is a member of the Economic Cluster Portfolio Committee overseeing ministries of Trade, Finance, Development Planning, Small Business and Agriculture.
Outgoing Vice Chairperson SADC-PF Human and Social Development, Berea ABC Parliamentarian Hon. Motlatsi Maqelepo, said the joint session he chaired was discussing the just completed Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights project.
Under the project, Hon. Maqelepo said one of their milestone was initiating Common Law on Eradicating Child Marriages. Other SADC-PF members from Lesotho are Hon.
Maimane Maphathe, Matelile DC Parliamentarian in the Governance SADC-PF standing committee and Hon. Marapelang Malefane AD PR parliamentarian in the Natural Resources SADC-PF standing committee. Hon. Mosena is also currently the Lesotho elected member to SADC-PF executive committee.
