Monyane Moleleki
Encyclopedia
Monyane Moleleki is the Minister of Natural Resources of Lesotho
. He has been a minister in the Lesotho government for a long time, and has also been Minister of Information and Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Moleleki was Minister of National Resources in 1994, when he was briefly kidnapped along with three other ministers by soldiers on April 14; another minister, Deputy Prime Minister Selometsi Baholo, was killed in this incident. Police then went on strike in May, and Moleleki resigned and left the country for Botswana
, saying that he thought he was likely to be targeted for assassination next. In March 1995 he returned to Lesotho and was detained by members of the National Security Service on March 29. He was elected deputy secretary general of the governing Basutoland Congress Party at a party conference in March 1996. In December 1996 he became Minister of Information and Broadcasting following the death of the previous minister, Pakane Khala, in November, and in June 1998 he was again appointed Minister of Natural Resources.
After serving for several years as Minister of Natural Resources, Moleleki became Minister of Foreign Affairs
in November 2004 and served in that position until March 2007, when he became Minister of Natural Resources again.
He was said to have been shot and wounded in the arm in an attack at his home at night on January 29, 2006. Some say "o thuntsoe ka thipa" meaning he was "shot with a knife". He has said that the attack was politically motivated.
He is also known as Mahaletere because of his halter
like beard and mustache.
He seems to be the most likely possible candidate to take over from the current Lesotho Prime Minister H. E. P. B. Mosisili in the coming national party conference.
Lesotho
Lesotho , officially the Kingdom of Lesotho, is a landlocked country and enclave, surrounded by the Republic of South Africa. It is just over in size with a population of approximately 2,067,000. Its capital and largest city is Maseru. Lesotho is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. The name...
. He has been a minister in the Lesotho government for a long time, and has also been Minister of Information and Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Moleleki was Minister of National Resources in 1994, when he was briefly kidnapped along with three other ministers by soldiers on April 14; another minister, Deputy Prime Minister Selometsi Baholo, was killed in this incident. Police then went on strike in May, and Moleleki resigned and left the country for Botswana
Botswana
Botswana, officially the Republic of Botswana , is a landlocked country located in Southern Africa. The citizens are referred to as "Batswana" . Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name after becoming independent within the Commonwealth on 30 September 1966...
, saying that he thought he was likely to be targeted for assassination next. In March 1995 he returned to Lesotho and was detained by members of the National Security Service on March 29. He was elected deputy secretary general of the governing Basutoland Congress Party at a party conference in March 1996. In December 1996 he became Minister of Information and Broadcasting following the death of the previous minister, Pakane Khala, in November, and in June 1998 he was again appointed Minister of Natural Resources.
After serving for several years as Minister of Natural Resources, Moleleki became Minister of Foreign Affairs
Foreign minister
A Minister of Foreign Affairs, or foreign minister, is a cabinet minister who helps form the foreign policy of a sovereign state. The foreign minister is often regarded as the most senior ministerial position below that of the head of government . It is often granted to the deputy prime minister in...
in November 2004 and served in that position until March 2007, when he became Minister of Natural Resources again.
He was said to have been shot and wounded in the arm in an attack at his home at night on January 29, 2006. Some say "o thuntsoe ka thipa" meaning he was "shot with a knife". He has said that the attack was politically motivated.
He is also known as Mahaletere because of his halter
Halter
A halter, headcollar, or, less often, headstall, is headgear that is used to lead or tie up livestock and, occasionally, other animals; it fits behind the ears , and around the muzzle. To handle the animal, usually a lead rope or lead shank is attached...
like beard and mustache.
He seems to be the most likely possible candidate to take over from the current Lesotho Prime Minister H. E. P. B. Mosisili in the coming national party conference.