MASERU-The Senate of Lesotho has reconvened after its winter recess, marking the start of the seventh meeting of the first session of the Eleventh Parliament.
Vice-President of the Senate, Tsukutlane Au, welcomed members back, urging them to return to work with new energy and determination. He reminded them that break is not just a holiday, but a time to reconnect with communities and bring their concerns to Parliament.
In his opening remarks, Au expressed hopefulness that senators were ready to wrestle the heavy workload ahead. He praised the passage of the 10th Amendment to the Constitution, which has been described as a milestone in Lesotho’s reform journey.
That amendment, he said, played a vital role in removing Lesotho from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) watch list on political instability. “This is a sign that our country is slowly moving towards stability and maturity in democracy,” he noted.
But Au was quick to caution that much more needs to be done. He reminded members that while one area of reform has been completed, six others remain untouched.
“It has taken us more than ten years to get this far,” he said, with a concerned tone. “How long will it take us to get to the next ones?”
He stressed that economic reforms must now be given priority, calling them “the most critical” of all. Without them, he warned, Lesotho will struggle to address unemployment, poverty, and the growing frustration of ordinary citizens.
Political analysts say the Senate’s return is happening at a delicate time. With the economy under pressure and many families struggling, the public expects lawmakers to move quickly and deliver results.
Au’s message was clear: the reform journey is far from over, and the Senate must fast-track its work if the nation is to benefit. As the seventh meeting gets underway, Basotho will be watching closely to see whether Parliament can build on its past achievements and take bold steps towards reforms that will change daily life for ordinary people.
