Bongiwe Zihlangu
MASERU — The main opposition All Basotho Convention (ABC) has amended its constitution stipulating that at least seven out of the party’s 13-member national executive committee should be present at meetings to form a quorum.
Previously the ABC constitution was silent on the matter resulting in paralysis when it came to making urgent decisions.
The amendment was passed at the party’s annual general conference held in Maputsoe, about 80km north of Maseru.
ABC secretary general, Sam Rapapa, told the Sunday Express that the conference had resolved that for the national executive committee to make a decision there should be at least seven members of the national executive committee present.
For the women and youth leagues the new requirement is that there should at least be five members out of the 13 for there to be quorum.
“The fact that our constitution was previously silent on the issue of a quorum was frustrating. More often we would be stuck when we had to make decisions as there was no number cast in stone,” Rapapa said.
The amendments to the ABC constitution will need to be officially registered with the law office before being enforced, Rapapa said.
The Maputsoe conference, which ended yesterday afternoon, was attended by 61 constituencies.
The ABC had earlier planned to reduce the term of office for the national executive committee from the current five years to three years.
But the proposal crumbled after delegates threw out the suggestion.
“The main concern was that five years is too long for a committee to be in office. But we decided ultimately that five years was ideal as the period allowed a committee to reach its targets and conclude its assigned projects,” Rapapa said.
Rapapa, who is also a respected economist, took over as secretary general from Macaefa Billy after the ABC severed its electoral alliance with the Lesotho Workers’ Party in 2009.
Rapapa said they had decided to hold the conference in Maputsoe “to be closer to the people”.
“Our constitution dictates that each AGM should be held in each of the country’s 10 districts to be closer to the people, cut their travel costs and make them feel they are part of the ABC,” he said.
The conference however did not discuss its failed relationship with the LWP.
Among the resolutions that were passed were calls to go back to the drawing board to discuss at length the issue of 100 percent proportional representation as well as approving reports tabled by the secretary-general, treasurer and ABC constituencies.
“The conference was one step at strengthening the party and defying our political rivals’ belief that the ABC is crumbling,” Rapapa said.
Speaking at the same conference, party leader Thomas Thabane appealed to all ABC supporters to focus their energy “mainly on the opposition”.
He also implored supporters to stop fighting amongst themselves but forgive and “embrace one another”.
ABC supporters should also be the driving force in fighting the scourge of HIV/Aids, Thabane said.