AS we take stock of the Prime Minister Sam Matekane-led coalition government after three years at the helm, most commentators interviewed by our sister publication, the Lesotho Times, generally agree that this administration has managed to stabilise the country politically.
They equally concur that Mr Matekane’s administration has also made considerable strides in putting a check on crime, making the streets feel much safer than during the time of his predecessors.
Police and soldiers’ visibility on the streets and in villages clearly does a lot to deter rogue criminal elements from terrorising citizens because the consequences of breaking the law are clear.
The same measure of success is also given to Mr Matekane’s cabinet for the progress in infrastructure development and electrification.
However, on the whole, analysts have characterised the cabinet’s scorecard as chequered.
The government’s worst performance, analysts argue, has been in failure to fulfil job creation promises.
Flanked by key cabinet ministers, in June this year Mr Matekane took time off to listen to youths’ views and suggestions about curbing the ever-growing scourge of youth unemployment. He followed up by declaring lack of jobs, especially for youth, as a state of disaster.
Frustration was threatening to boil over and Mr Matekane skilfully contained looming social unrest.
However, analysts say although the approach was well-thought-out, the administration failed on the last hurdle, where it matters most. That is, the clear delivery of meaningful jobs.
One governance expert interviewed by the Lesotho Times characterised the government’s performance as having succeeded in achieving “procedural reforms” but achieved “little structural transformation”.
This seems to be an apt summary of the government’s scorecard. On one hand, the cabinet showed commendable tact at sustaining social stability, but on the other hand dismally failed to bring tangible material change for the hordes of restive youth, armed with diplomas and degrees without any livelihoods to show for it.
“Inputs refer to institutional and leadership capacity — things like the rule of law and policy coherence. Processes capture how power is exercised — including merit-based appointments and transparency. Outcomes are the tangible results: job creation, service delivery, and citizens’ trust,” governance expert, Thuso Mosabala, said.
“Applying these measures to the Matekane-led coalition, we find a government that has made notable procedural reforms but limited structural transformation.”
At the end of the day numbers don’t lie.
Unemployment statistics, the breadbasket and the general economic growth rate cannot be obfuscated by smooth policy pronouncements alone, no matter how well-meaning these can be.
Young people need jobs or at least sustainable livelihoods if the nations is going to maintain the much-cherished peace that had been evading the country’s governors since the first coalition administration in 2012.
Of course, everyone can see the poor economic performances of different countries throughout the globe, especially since the Covid-19 induced lockdowns, but hungry citizens do not care that citizens of other countries are equally struggling.
The atmosphere in the region is volatile if one thinks about recent events in Madagascar and the unfolding unrest in Tanzania in the aftermath of the election.
Mind you, the face of these uprisings are frustrated youths who reach a point where they may not “understand” that economies elsewhere are struggling.
Those in government swore oaths to serve the country after campaigning and assuring their electors that they can bring the nation out of its troubles. Blaming any other forces whether internal or external will not wash.
Desperate people do not care how you deliver the results. All they want is to see, feel, eat and live change after years of frustration.
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