Gail ‘Mathabo Makenete’s work was clearly cut out when she was appointed Lesotho’s Auditor-General early this year. So much is expected from Makenete who describes herself as a super woman with a passion for empowering other women and driving the country’s financial inclusion agenda. In this interview with theReporter, she unpacks the challenges her office is facing and also her vision.
theReporter: You were appointed to the influential position of Auditor-General with effect from January 30, 2023. How has been the journey been so far?
Makenete: The journey has been interesting and quite challenging. It is very different from my experience at the CBL (Central Bank of Lesotho) where I served in various positions.
What are some of the challenges that you have faced and how do you intend to address them?
I’ve encountered a number of challenges since my appointment. These range from lack of functional autonomy, insufficient funds, to low numbers of staff to carry out the mandate as expected.
You have vast experience having worked for the Central Bank of Lesotho for close to 32 years in various capacities including Director of Financial Markets, Head of Reserves Management, and Second Deputy-Governor. What should Basotho expect from you as Auditor-General by the end of your tenure?
During my tenure at the CBL, I always did the best I could in my areas of responsibility. I will do the same here, face the challenges and work to overcome those that I can in the time I’m here as the AG. I will also bring about the much-needed changes with whatever resources are at my disposal.
Basotho from all walks of life have often raised concerns that the AG’s report is always years behind leading to looters going unpunished. How do you intended to deal with this?
The Audit reports are not many years behind; they have just not been discussed by the relevant Parliamentary structures. The only report that is due to be issued at this point is for the financial year 2021/22.
However, due to limited resources currently availed to the office, it is to be expected that the annual report will be issued somewhat late. I will take on the responsibility to lobby the right and relevant places for more resources to be made available, to at least shorten the current time for the annual report to be issued.
The Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Dr Retšelisitsoe Matlanyane, has indicated that the government has so far managed to trace about M3.5 billion that was part of M6.1 billion reported missing. Is your office working to establish what happened to the reminder?
As you might be aware, that is certainly not the mandate of the Auditor-General’s Office.
No government ministry has received a clean audit in Lesotho’s recent history. What plans do you have to ensure that the current government achieves this?
It is not for the Office of Auditor-General to ensure that Government achieves clean audits.
However, I can tell you that my office is working with relevant stakeholders in an effort to take steps to improve public financial management of the government and its agencies.
You have for many years been very passionate about promoting financial literacy in the country. How do you think you have fared in this regard?
I was part of the management team at CBL that strove to introduce financial literacy in schools’ curriculum along with the Ministry of Education and Training. The same management also did well working with financial sector players to intensify financial literacy in money month campaigns across the country. In my other life as a women’s empowerment champion, I have been involved in efforts to advocate for financial literacy for women, especially in the rural areas. I believe I have fared well.
Does being a woman put extra responsibilities on your shoulders as the new Auditor-General?
No it does not, actually. This office has had female Auditors-General from 2002 till now, who have carried out the mandate of the office to the best of their abilities under difficult circumstances. As a past Deputy Governor of the CBL for 10 years till 2021, I was also carrying a very heavy load on my shoulders, and I believe my shoulders are now very broad to carry this heavy AG’s responsibility.
What legacy would you like to leave as Auditor-General?
I would like to be remembered as the AG who brought about changes to the management of the Office in general. I further wish to make an impact on the broad financial management of the country, by participating with relevant stakeholders in efforts to make those given responsibility over public finances, to do their work with proper accountability, transparency and reporting.
