By Kabelo Mollo
I’m a Manchester United fan through and through. My heart bleeds red, since around ’94 when the King of the Theatre of Dreams Eric Cantona sauntered in to my life with his collar turned up and his pomposity through the roof.
The Manchester United way was once defined as the hardest way possible by the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson, the most successful British manager in the history of the game. Amongst his many notable quotes, that one sticks out to me. When you couple it with the banner that takes pride of place at Old Trafford which boldly states “Believe” you will understand why I’m not that phased by United’s supposed malaise. I know this club doesn’t do things easily, and I always believe things will come right.
Perhaps then I ought to adopt the same attitude to the government of Lesotho. Perhaps I ought to understand that they too do things the hardest way possible, and also believe that one day, one of these fine days they will fix the numerous problems the country faces. I said I’m going to look at the glass as half full from here on, and I meant it. I will no longer lament the government’s inability to deliver services, nor will I quip about the general antipathy that has taken root in government departments. No, I will now see the opportunity for our government to do right by its people. I have wondered out loud how the political parties in government intend to run positive PR campaigns for themselves when radio stations have still not been paid for services rendered last year, but no longer will that kind of thing bother me.
Independence day is coming up. It’s a long weekend and by the grace of the higher power Nacosec and the executive have released just enough restrictions that Basotho might actually be able to enjoy themselves a little bit over the weekend. Independence is such an important milestone. Freeing ourselves from the chains of colonialism was one of the great victories this continent earned. The lay people of Africa continue to flourish in spite of a myriad of challenges they are beset by. Our people continue to fight the good fight, undeterred by obstacles and poor leadership.
I have a strange relationship with Lesotho’s independence day. For the formative years of my life I thought it fell on the 11th of October. When I was about 6 or 7, my father was Lesotho’s “trade representative” to Apartheid South Africa. On the occasion of Independence day, my father was away one year which meant that the party would be held the following week. I was so young that it was burned in to my memory, so the following year when the folks began planning the 4th of October party I was confused as to why it wasn’t t be held on the 11th again. Baffling stuff indeed. But I remember watching my father’s embassy staff hoisting the flag and being immensely proud of the Kingdoms pride and joy flying freely.
Our country made much progress post-colonial rule, and has actually not done terribly in terms of self-determination. Katse Dam remains a feat of engineering wonder, and the number of people educated by the state who are now the cornerstones of big economies is equally impressive, even if it’s now time to create an environment those people can come home to. Ours like many others continentally is a work in progress. It is a labour of love that should not overwhelm any of us. We must remind ourselves that even if it is the hardest way possible we can still achieve great things. We must always believe in our collective capacity, and ability to meet our goals. In closing the kingdom like the reds of Manchester must always remember to keep marching on, on, on! Glory, glory…
