Nkoane Sekhofa
A seismic shift is redefining the political aspirations of Africa’s highest-altitude kingdom. Once dominated by parties steeped in liberation-era ideologies, the nation’s democracy is increasingly becoming a playground for the wealthy.
The trend, driven by a disillusioned electorate and the decline of traditional political institutions, raises urgent questions about the future of governance in a country where over half the population lives in poverty.
The collapse of support for legacy parties like the Basotho National Party (BNP) and the Basotho Congress Party (BCP) has created a vacuum filled not by reformers but by affluent entrepreneurs and defectors from the political elite.
The Revolution for Prosperity (RFP), founded by Sam Matekane, capitalised on this disillusionment in 2022, winning power with promises of economic revival with slogans such as ‘Moruo ke Bophelo’.
Its rise has inspired a wave of copycat movements, with wealthy figures from somewhere and nowhere launching parties across Lesotho, framing personal wealth as a proxy for leadership competence.
The surge of moneyed candidates reflects a global populist impulse to equate financial success with governing aptitude. But in Lesotho, a nation ranked among the world’s most unequal, the risks are acute. Critics argue that wealthy leaders often prioritise optics over systemic change, relying on lavish campaigns, short-term handouts, and vague pledges of job creation rather than coherent policy platforms.
This transactional approach, analysts warn, reduces politics to spectacle while obscuring the structural reforms needed to address poverty, unemployment, and rampant inequality.
The trend also risks entrenching corporate interests over public welfare. Many of Lesotho’s new political entrants hail from industries long accused of exploiting the country’s resources and labour.
Their agendas, critics contend, may favour deregulation and privatisation, policies that could deepen economic divides in a nation where 58 percent of citizens survive on less than $2.15 a day.
Moreover, the myth that wealth confers empathy for the poor ignores a stark reality: Lesotho’s affluent political class often operates in circles far removed from the daily struggles of subsistence farmers, factory workers, and unemployed youth.
Lesotho’s political instability is not new. The kingdom has endured multiple coups, military meddling, and fractured coalitions since gaining independence in 1966. Yet, the current crisis is distinct. The proliferation of political parties has fragmented parliament, paralysing governance and fostering a culture of deal-making over principle.
Voter apathy compounds the problem. A reflection of deepening cynicism. Many citizens, particularly the youth, view politics as a closed system where power flows to those with money or connections, not merit. This disconnect threatens to sever the already-frayed ties between leaders and the governed, leaving democracy vulnerable to populist demagoguery or authoritarian backsliding.
The solution to Lesotho’s crisis lies not in wealthy saviours but in institutional renewal. Stricter campaign finance laws, transparent lobbying rules, and anti-corruption mechanisms could curb the influence of money in politics. Strengthening civic education and grassroots movements may also revive democratic engagement, particularly among the youth.
For now, Lesotho’s experiment with prosperity-driven leadership remains a cautionary tale. Wealth may command attention, but it cannot substitute for accountability, vision, or a genuine commitment to equity.
As the nation navigates this precarious chapter, the survival of its democracy hinges on a fundamental truth: good governance cannot be bought; it must be built.
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