Ntsu Mokhehle
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Ntsu Mokhehle | |
---|---|
Prime Minister of Lesotho | |
In office 14 September 1994 – 29 May 1998 | |
Monarchs | Letsie III Moshoeshoe II |
Deputy | Pakalitha Mosisili |
Preceded by | Hae Phoofolo (interim) |
Succeeded by | Pakalitha Mosisili |
In office 2 April 1993 – 17 August 1994 | |
Monarch | Letsie III |
Deputy | Selometsi Baholo[a] |
Preceded by | Elias Phisoana Ramaema (As Chairman of the Military Council) |
Succeeded by | Hae Phoofolo (interim) |
Personal details | |
Born | Clement Ntsu Mokhehle 26 December 1918 Basotho Congress Party |
Relations | Shakhane Mokhehle, Rev.Thaele Mokhehle |
Children | T'eliso, Topollo, Mosonngoa |
Ntsu Mokhehle (26 December 1918 – 6 January 1999) was a
Early life and education
Mokhehle was born at the small village of Mokhehle, which located few miles from Teyateyaneng on 26 December 1918. His father, Cicerone Mokhehle, was the headman of the village and one of the early Basotho Inspector of Schools.[1][2] He was admitted to Fort Hare University, Transkei in 1940 where he studied science. He published articles in the Basotho newspaper Mochochonono and later involved in protesting activities which led to his expulsion from the university in 1942. Mokhehle joined the Lekhotla la Bafo during his time in Lesotho. He returned to Fort Hare University in 1944 and graduated with a MSC degree in Zoology after discovered several new species of parasites.
Political career
He joined the African National Congress as a student in Fort Hare university and was instrumental in formation of ANC Youth League and became a chartered member. He return to Lesotho continue with politics and founded the Basutoland Congress Party (renamed
Mokhehle was awarded honorary doctorates by Fort Hare University in 1996 and National University of Lesotho in 1990.
The dictator Leabua Jonathan was overthrown by the Military, which facilitated the return of him along with others in February 1989. Basotho Congress Party of Ntsu Mokhehle won the 1993 election by landslide which deemed fair by international observers and he ruled until 1998. He led Basotho Congress Party until 1997 when he resigned and formed a new political party, Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD). He did not attend an LCD conference in late January 1998 due to poor health and did not seek to be re-elected as party leader, but the party re-elected him anyway. After Mokhehle insisted he could not lead the party any longer, a new conference was held and Deputy Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili was elected as party leader on 21 February.[4] The LCD won the parliamentary election that followed, and Mosisili replaced Mokhehle as Prime Minister.
Death
Mokhehle died in Bloemfontein, South Africa on 6 January 1999.
References
- ISBN 9780520021686.
- ISBN 9781349209064.
- ISBN 9780810879829.
- ^ "Lesotho Congress for Democracy Vacillates Before Electing New Leader", Summary of Events in Lesotho, Volume 5, Number 1, First Quarter 1998, trc.org.ls. Archived February 7, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
Notes
- ^ Assassinated on 14 April 1994