LIVE FEED: Sam Matekane officially sworn in as the 7th Prime Minister of Lesotho

Prime Minister Sam Matekane officially sworn in as the 7th Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Lesotho.

Prime Minister Sam Matekane officially sworn in as the 7th Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Lesotho.

Published Oct 28, 2022

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That concludes the proceedings in the Kingdom of Lesotho for the inauguration of Prime Minister Sam Matekane. Do follow IOL for all the latest developments coming out of the Kingdom of Lesotho.

Matekane pledged to introduce a raft of measures to “make Lesotho great again”

“The government of Lesotho vows that it will be open to foreign direct investment,” the new Prime Minister said said in his first address to the nation on Friday.

Read more here.

The Kingdom of Lesotho’s newly minted Prime Minister Sam Matekane now takes to the podium for his maiden speech, as the 7th PM of the Kingdom of Lesotho.

He starts off by thanking the people of Lesotho and says he accepts the baton to make Lesotho great again.

Namibian President Hage Geingob conveys his congratulations on behalf of the citizens of Namibia and his government to Prime Minister Matekane.

Ramaphosa offers his congratulations to the Kingdom of Lesotho and the new Prime Minister on behalf of the government and the people of South Africa.

South African president Cyril Ramaphosa to now deliver his remarks on behalf of the Southern African Development Community SADC as facilitator to the Kingdom of Lesotho.

A fixed wing fly-over takes place over the stadium as military officials conduct a symbolic hand over to the new commander-in-chief, Prime Minister Matekane.

The crowd at Setsoto stadium sing songs, continues to boo and make hand gestures as the outgoing Prime Minister makes his speech.

Outgoing Prime Minister to deliver his remarks as he hands over the the Prime Ministers seat to Matekane. Crowd boo’s as he takes the podium.

Outgoing Prime Minister Moeketsi Majoro congratulates new Prime Minister Matekane.

The Kingdom of Lesotho’s Chief Justice, Sakoane Sakoane will now swear in the Prime Minister-Elect.

Prime Minister-elect Sam Matekane will take his oath of office in front of thousands at Setsoto Stadium in Maseru today.

Thousands of people have already packed the Setsoto Stadium in the capital. The official proceedings are set to begin at 10am, according to officials.

Various spiritual leaders are now doing a special prayer for the Prime Minister-elect and the Kingdom of Lesotho.

Wealthy Lesotho Prime Minister-elect to pay for his own inauguration which is set for Friday

The millionaire businessman, turned politician will be sworn in as Lesotho’s next prime minister on Friday during a ceremony to be attended by leaders from across the continent at the Setsoto Stadium in Maseru.

Read more here.

President Cyril Ramaphosa arrives in the Kingdom of Lesotho

President Cyril Ramaphosa arrived in the Kingdom of Lesotho on Friday morning to attend the inauguration ceremony of newly elected Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Lesotho, Samuel Matekane.

Ramaphosa is one several heads of state who will attend the inauguration of the new prime minister.

Read more here.

— Presidency | South Africa 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) October 28, 2022

Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia arrives in Lesotho

“We have arrived at Moshoeshoe International Airport in Maseru, Lesotho.”

“We are on hand to witness the inauguration of The Right Honorable Mr. Sam Matekane, Prime Minister - Elect of the Kingdom of Lesotho.”

Photo: Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia arrives in Lesotho
Photo: Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia arrives in Lesotho

Outgoing Prime Minister Moeketsi Majoro booed by thousands of Basotho upon arrival at Setsoto Stadium where he is set to handover the reigns to his successor, Ntsokoane Samuel Matekane - Source: Lesotho Times.

Photo: Phando Jikelo/African News Agency (ANA)

Namibian President Hage Geingob to attend Matekane inauguration in Lesotho

President Hage Geingob congratulated Matekane on his election as the prime minister, saying “peaceful elections are a clear testimony of respect for democratic elections through established legal procedures and processes in the country, including SADC guidelines”.

Photo: Namibian Presidency.

Geingob, who is the chairperson of the SADC organ on politics, defence and security, said he looks forward to working closely with Matekane to strengthen bilateral cooperation, as well as advance a regional development agenda in order to uplift the living standards of people and countries.

“I wish him good health, wisdom, and strength to consolidate peace, stability and socio-economic development in the Kingdom of Lesotho,” he said. Source - The Namibian.

President Ramaphosa to attend inauguration of Matekane

President Cyril Ramaphosa will also attend the inauguration of Matekane of the Kingdom of Lesotho.

Photo: SA Presidency.

The presidency says Ramaphosa’s attendance of the inauguration in the Kingdom of Lesotho will provide Ramaphosa with the opportunity to congratulate the prime minister-elect on his electoral success and the people of the Kingdom for conducting successful elections, a spokesperson for the presidency said.

Lesotho's Prime Minister-Designate, Sam Matekane is a shrewed businessman who will immediately establish good corporate governance: Bridget Motsepe-Radebe. Source - Lesotho Times.

Former foreign minister elected Lesotho’s parliament speaker

Former Lesotho foreign minister Tlohang Sekhamane has been elected new speaker of the country’s parliament following elections that took place on Tuesday.

The Revolution for Prosperity (RFP) lawmaker, who also previously served as finance minister and government secretary, garnered 69 votes against 49 for his rival Kose Makoa of the Alliance of Democrats (AD).

Led by Monyane Moleleki, the AD is party of the governing coalition that also involves the RFP of Sam Matekane and the Movement for Economic Change headed by Selibe Mochoboroane.

In taking his oath, Sekhamane noted the new Parliament had fresh faces and a lot was expected of them. Source - APA.

Who is Sam Matekane, Lesotho’s wealthy businessman who ruled at the polls?

– He is the owner of the Matekane Group of Companies, with business interests in aviation, construction, mining, property sectors.

– He owns Lesotho's only private owned airline Maluti Sky that started operating in 2017, according to AFP.

– New to politics, Matekane is well regarded in business circles, and made his money in the diamond, construction and transport industries.

– He is a Board Member of Meso Diamond Pty Ltd

– Meso Diamond Pty Ltd evaluates and develops diamond projects in Sub-Saharan Africa. The company holds a prospecting license in the Kingdom of Lesotho, according to a Bloomberg report.

– He is one of the investors, co-founder and partner of a cannabis processing facility in Lesotho

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