Sam Matekane

Ntsokoane Samuel Matekane
Born	(1958-03-15) March 15, 1958 Mantšonyane, British Basutoland
Occupation(s)	Entrepreneur, Politician
Years active	1986–present
Known for	Prime Minister of Lesotho since 2022; founder of Matekane Group of Companies

Ntsokoane Samuel Matekane (born 15 March 1958) is a prominent Mosotho entrepreneur and political figure who has held the position of Prime Minister since 2022. Prior to his political career, he was recognized as the wealthiest individual in Lesotho, having amassed his fortune through ventures in diamond mining and contracts awarded by the government for construction projects. In 1986, he established the Matekane Group of Companies (MGC).

In March 2022, Matekane announced the formation of the Revolution for Prosperity (RFP) party during a press event at his own hotel. Financing his campaign independently and leveraging strong social media outreach, he secured victory in the 2022 general election.

Early life

Matekane was born on 15 March 1958 in Mantšonyane, then part of British Basutoland. He is the seventh child among fourteen siblings. His education included attending Bocheletsane Primary School followed by Mabathoana High School in Maseru, where he completed a junior certificate after three years of secondary schooling. He left formal education early to focus on business pursuits while simultaneously managing rural duties such as livestock herding and agricultural work, which sometimes caused interruptions to his studies.

Business

As founder and chief executive officer of the Matekane Group of Companies (MGC), launched in 1986, Matekane initially operated a business specializing in selling construction equipment. The enterprise started by acquiring old or damaged government vehicles, refurbishing them, and reselling these assets back to government entities. Over time, MGC expanded its portfolio to include sectors such as mining, aviation, real estate development, agriculture, and hospitality through the establishment of a hotel.

The expansion of the Group was significantly supported by government contract awards, although these arrangements have attracted criticism amid accusations of preferential treatment and political impropriety.

Philanthropy

Matekane has directed MGC resources toward various community initiatives including building a football stadium, a school, a convention center, and implementing a shared-cost farming scheme benefiting owner-farmers in his native Mantšonyane. During the COVID-19 crisis, he donated testing kits, vaccines, and medical supplies. Furthermore, he provided police uniforms valued at M8 million and contributed equipment worth M2 million to the Lesotho Defense Force.

2022 election and inauguration

In March 2022, shortly before the 2022 Lesotho general election, Matekane launched the Revolution for Prosperity (RFP) party. He campaigned as a defender of Lesotho’s business sector and positioned himself as a reform-minded leader capable of eradicating corruption and revitalizing an economy that had been in recession since 2017. His campaign slogan promised to "Make Lesotho Great Again" by any necessary means.

Throughout his campaign, Matekane criticized rival politicians for disregarding national priorities. His status as an outsider contributed to RFP’s electoral success, securing enough seats to fall just five short of an outright majority in the National Assembly. To form a functioning government, Matekane entered into a coalition with the Alliance of Democrats and the Movement for Economic Change.

After assuming office, Matekane unveiled a 20-point agenda aimed at combating corruption and tackling a government deficit totaling M6.1 billion within his initial 100 days. His economic approach emphasized fiscal discipline alongside efforts to attract foreign investment intended to generate employment opportunities and reverse ongoing recessionary trends.

Criminal activity

During Matekane's tenure, cooperation between the civilian government and law enforcement agencies saw improvement; however, the administration faced criticism due to a rising homicide rate. After the killing of journalist Ralikonelo Joki, authorities implemented a nationwide curfew on 16 May 2023, limiting movement from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. This measure was met with disapproval for its severity and doubts regarding its actual impact.

Economic policy

In June 2023, Matekane introduced the Entrepreneurship Hub and Seed Financing Facility aimed at supporting 15 Entrepreneurship Support Organizations and nurturing 500 start-ups, including members of the diaspora community. The initiative operates with a $52.5 million budget, comprising a $45 million soft loan alongside a $7.5 million grant provided by the World Bank.

By June 2025, Matekane declared youth unemployment a national emergency, committing to generate 70,000 new jobs within three weeks. Activist Tšolo Thakeli criticized this announcement as lacking concrete measures and condemned previous government neglect on the issue. Following his public opposition, Thakeli was detained on charges of insulting the Prime Minister and inciting unrest but was subsequently released after protests and interventions from regional human rights organizations.

Foreign relations

In May 2023, an explosion claimed the lives of 31 Basotho miners working illegally in South Africa. Addressing this issue, Prime Minister Matekane emphasized curbing unauthorized cross-border mining activities by advancing an agreement initiated by his predecessor in 2021. At the inauguration of a joint commission between Lesotho and South Africa, he described the event as "a new beginning" for bilateral relations.

In September 2023, Matekane spoke at the United Nations, calling for enhanced assistance to least developed countries while expressing aspirations to export electricity and water resources to South Africa.

Political issues

Due to constrained public finances, Matekane reportedly self-funded his inauguration ceremony. His cabinet was reduced from 36 to 15 members, including three women—raising female representation to 20% compared to the previous 14%—reflecting ongoing public calls for increased gender equality.

The government has encountered difficulties passing the 11th Amendment to the Constitution Bill, which emerged from a reform dialogue mediated by SADC. Efforts in early 2023 to split the bill into sections were met with resistance from opposition parties concerned about civil service appointments.

On 30 October 2023, Matekane survived a no-confidence vote amid constitutional disputes and military involvement that raised fears of a possible coup attempt. The Basotho Action Party joined his coalition government, solidifying his leadership position.

Activist Tšolo Thakeli’s outspoken criticism of the youth employment strategy led to his arrest on charges including sedition. His detention triggered protests and drew attention from regional human rights groups. Although released, Thakeli reported receiving warnings against mentioning Matekane publicly without assurances of government protection.