…as former protégé Monokoane subtly promotes his new Khanya party
…while gifting PM with a bull
Rethabile Pitso
A total of 544 households in Peka, Leribe, have been connected to electricity under the government’s rural electrification programme, with Prime Minister Sam Matekane officiating at the handover ceremony on Friday.
The project makes Leribe the sixth district to benefit from the initiative, with more than 44 000 households electrified nationwide since the programme started in 2023.
Villages benefiting from the project include Ha Likariki, Lefika, Mpeka, Tšeea, Motabo and ’Marane, among others, at a cost of more than M16 million.
The initiative forms part of the Revolution for Prosperity (RFP)-led government’s goal of ensuring universal household electrification by 2030, including communities previously excluded from the national grid.
The government said underserved groups, including herd boys living in remote grazing areas, would also benefit from future connections. Under the Rural Electrification Project, all new installations are being carried out free of charge, with costs fully covered by the government.
The programme is supported by development partners including the European Union, the United Nations Development Programme and the World Bank.
The event also drew political attention as Peka legislator Mohopoli Monokoane — a former RFP member who later joined the Basotho Action Party before launching his own political movement, Khanya Ea Basotho — presented Mr Matekane with a bull as a token of appreciation.
Addressing the gathering, Mr Matekane urged residents to protect the newly installed infrastructure, warning that vandalism and sabotage would ultimately harm the very communities meant to benefit.
Addressing attendees, Mr Matekane urged community members to safeguard the new infrastructure, warning that acts of vandalism and sabotage undermine both government investment and the welfare of the communities themselves.
“I appeal to the community receiving this development today to protect the infrastructure and guard against any sabotage that may be directed at it. My expectation is that the same community benefiting from it today will also take responsibility for protecting it.
“These developments are intended to improve your livelihoods and benefit schools, businesses and health facilities operating within your communities,” he said.
The Prime Minister further announced that more developments were planned for the Peka and Kolonyama areas, with additional amenities expected to be delivered by the end of 2027. He pledged to personally oversee the implementation of the projects if necessary.
“I have instructed the Minister of Energy to ensure that every household in Peka and Kolonyama is electrified by the end of next year. We are committed to ensuring that these two inseparable communities are fully developed.
“I am accompanied today by ministers and technical experts from various ministries who have listened carefully to the concerns raised by previous speakers, and I want to assure you that the government is here to respond to your needs accordingly.
“We are working towards ensuring that basic amenities, including water, roads and health facilities, are made available. I will return again to personally monitor the implementation of these projects in future,” he said.
Addressing Mr Monokoane, the Prime Minister expressed gratitude for the cow presented to him during the ceremony, describing it as a symbol of the longstanding friendship between their families.
“I was close friends with Monokoane’s father during our days as businessmen. Mr Lephema, Mr Nthane, his father (Monokoane) and I remained close friends until his passing. We were even present at his burial.
“This is not the first gift I have received from the Monokoane family. There have been others before, which I have equally treasured. We will always remain friends willing to support one another,” he said.
Mr Matekane also said road construction projects planned for the area would create employment opportunities for local residents.
Meanwhile, Mr Monokoane’s remarks at the ceremony drew attention due to his repeated and strategic use of the word “khanya” (light), which is also the name of his newly formed political party.
Though brief, his speech cleverly blended references to electrification with subtle political messaging.
“As Lesotho is a Christian nation and we began this event with prayer, I would like to align my remarks with scripture. Genesis 1:3 says: ‘God said, let there be light, and there was light. God saw that the light was good and he separated the light from the darkness,’” Mr Monokoane said, prompting murmurs and laughter from sections of the crowd reacting to the double meaning of his words.
He quickly cautioned the audience against interrupting his biblical references.
“Please, when a Christian quotes the Bible, you are not supposed to react, but to listen to the message,” he said before continuing.
“I am especially grateful to the Prime Minister, the Minister of Energy and Mining and their entourage for joining us here in Peka Constituency to celebrate light after living in darkness for so long.
“I seem to evoke emotions whenever I speak about light, despite agreeing with my fellow councillor who earlier said he wants Peka to become like Dubai. Government’s objective is to level the playing field and, with time, there will be roads, light, water, freedom, livestock security, job creation and sustainable salaries.
“Without light, darkness reigns. Today darkness has been driven away and only light remains. Now that light reigns, crimes such as rape, which used to occur here, will become a thing of the past,” he said.
Mr Monokoane also appealed for villages including Ha Mabote, Ramohapi, Hlaname, Sekhutlong, Ha Selei, Fafatsa, Mosamo and Matebeleng to also be electrified as a matter of urgency. He concluded his speech by repeatedly shouting: “Khanya e teng!” loosely translated as “The light is here!”
Mr Matekane was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Nthomeng Majara and Ministers Lejone Mpotjoane (Mining and Energy), Nthati Moorosi (Information, Communications, Science, Technology and Innovation) and Professor Ntoi Rapapa of Education and Training.
The ceremony also featured Mokhibo dance and poetry performances by members of the Peka community.