’Marafaele Mohloboli
THE All Basotho Convention (ABC) says the death of Afrika Makakane is a “devastating blow” for the party given that he had been a shoo-in for re-election in his Thupa-Kubu constituency in the 3 June 2017 parliamentary election.
The ABC’s tribute was one of many that have been pouring in from friends, colleagues and Basotho in general since Mr Makakane’s death in a car accident on Thursday in Ha Nchela, Thaba-Bosiu.
Mr Makakane had been the ABC’s candidate for the Thupa-Kubu constituency before his tragic demise, and the party’s spokesperson Tefo Mapesela, said he had made a “tremendous” contribution to the growth of the party and would be sorely missed.
“We are still trying to come to terms with this tragic event as a party because of Ntate Makakane’s tremendous contribution to our party’s growth. We regarded his constituency as a definite win in next month’s election,” Mr Mapesela said.
“We pass our sincere condolences to his family, ABC supporters and Basotho at large for this devastating loss from which we shall struggle to recover.”
Mr Makakane, who had been an ABC legislator for Thupa-Kubu constituency before the National Assembly was dissolved by King Letsie III on 6 March 2017, was also lauded for representing his party well in parliament with well researched presentations.
Parliament was dissolved after four parties, including the ABC, successfully passed a no-confidence vote on Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili’s seven-party coalition government on 1 March 2017.
“Ntate Makakane always did his research before talking in parliament and he always stood up for the truth. He loved to read a lot and will be missed because he was very resourceful,” said Mr Mapesela.
When asked about the ABC’s position with regards to claims by Mr Makakane’s son, Tsepo, that there could have been foul play in the former legislator’s death, Mr Mapesela said they would wait for the results of the post-mortem. Police deputy spokesperson, Senior Inspector Lerato Motseki, yesterday told the Sunday Express they so far did not believe foul play was involved in the car accident.
“Procedurally, when a person has not died of natural causes, a post-mortem is carried out to ascertain the cause of death,” Mr Mapesela said.
“For now, we accept the official position with regards to the accident, unless we are told otherwise by the post-mortem report.”
Mr Mapesela suggested hiring a private pathologist for the family if they suspected any foul play.
A childhood friend of Mr Makakane’s, who is now based in South Africa, Connie Sobane, told this paper the late former legislator had dedicated his life to serving Basotho.
“Despite having struggled to make ends meet for most of his life, he had decided to put the interests of the people before his personal enrichment and became a servant of the people,” Ms Sobane said, adding that Mr Makakane would be sorely missed and was “irreplaceable”.
’Mamoshoeshoe Letsie, who worked with Mr Makakane during his days as Lesotho Teachers Association executive secretary, said he had “gone too soon”.
“If only it was possible; I would ask God to reverse his decision. He was a man of many talents and I believe he has done his part in the struggle,” said Ms Letsie.
Local wordsmiths have also moaned Mr Makakane, who was renowned for his poem Africa – Where Art Thou?