Tito Mboweni’s passing has dominated headlines in South Africa, but there’s a glaring omission in how the media is reporting his life. The South African press celebrates his contributions to the country as a former Finance Minister, Governor of the Reserve Bank, and freedom fighter. Yet, they ignore an integral part of his story: Lesotho’s role in shaping the man.
Mboweni’s exile in Lesotho is being swept under the rug. He was not only educated in Lesotho, but he also married a Mosotho woman. Lesotho provided him refuge, support, and a community during his exile. But you wouldn’t know this from the South African media’s coverage.
How can they omit such a significant chapter of his life? Is this part of a broader pattern, where Lesotho’s contribution to the liberation of South Africa is systematically erased?
For years, Lesotho served as a safe haven for South African freedom fighters. We housed, educated, and supported activists who later became key leaders in South Africa’s government. Yet, South African media often fails to acknowledge this contribution, focusing solely on the roles played by countries like Zambia and Tanzania.
The media has a responsibility to tell the full story, not a selective version that erases the sacrifices made by Basotho people. Mboweni’s years in exile in Lesotho were crucial to his growth as a leader. To exclude this from his narrative is not only disrespectful to his legacy but also to the people of Lesotho who stood by him.
South African media should stop whitewashing the history of the struggle. Lesotho’s role should not be ignored or downplayed. We must demand accurate representation, not only for Tito Mboweni’s legacy but for the role our country played in the liberation of South Africa.
Ignoring this truth is an insult to our people, and it is time to call out this bias.
