Africa-Press – Lesotho. About three hundred Basotho youth today braved the chilly weather to issue a seven-day ultimatum to Prime Minister Thomas Thabane to address long-standing grievances, including dwindling job opportunities.
The youth handed their petition to minister in the Prime Minister’s office, Temeki Ts’olo after marching from Sethaleng Sa Mopapa to Sefikeng sa Moshoeshoe in the wintry weather.
According to the Bureau of Statistics unemployment currently stands at 32.8%. “It is clear that although the government promises to create jobs, there is no direction as to how, for whom, and in which sectors these jobs will be created.
The ruling government should clearly explain to the public how they intend to generate long-term jobs and set a realistic deadline of when this mandate will be achieved,” the petition read.
The petition also indicted the LGBT community still faces discrimination in Lesotho. The youth demanded government implements legislation to protect this minority group and encourage inclusivity.
The concerned youth also called for clarification on funding for students following Minister of Development Planning, Tlohelang Aumane’s statement slashing the number of students eligible for sponsorship.
The youth also showed that Lesotho’s politicians have historically failed to match speech with action and they want an end to that. They also say they do not appreciate the manner in which the Prime Minister addresses the media, saying he is disrespectful.
They emphasised that as a servant of the people, the government is morally and democratically obliged to be transparent with its citizens. Ts’olo indicated said the march was an indication that democracy was alive in Lesotho, promising to pass the petition on to Thabane.
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