Ntlhoi Motsamai

**Ntlhoi Motsamai** (wey dem born 1963) be Lesotho politician wey serve as de first female Speaker of de National Assembly from 1999 go 2012. Dem elect ein again from March 2015 go June 2017. Motsamai work as teacher before she enter politics.

## Early life
Dem born Motsamai insyd de far village of Ha Pafoli, insyd de Mohale's Hoek District. She attend Eagle's Peak High School den later go study insyd de National University of Lesotho, where she graduate plus Bachelor of Science insyd Education (B.Sc.Ed.) degree, wey she major insyd biology den chemistry. After ein graduation, Motsamai start to teach insyd St. John's High School insyd Mafeteng. She later go back insyd de National University to complete Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree, while she dey work same time insyd de office of de dean.

## Politics

### 1996–2012
Motsamai enter politics insyd 1996, when dem elect her as deputy speaker of de National Assembly. Lesotho ein constitution no put restriction on who fit be speaker or deputy speaker—e only talk say ministers no fit be elected to dem positions. Motsamai take over as speaker insyd 1999, after de death of John Teboho Kolane. She become Lesotho ein first female speaker, den dem believe say she be de youngest speaker insyd Africa. When she take office, de National Assembly get only three female MPs.

Insyd 2005, Motsamai nominate Bereng Sekhonyana to represent Lesotho insyd one SADC parliamentary reform conference insyd Botswana. Justin Lekhanya, wey be leader of de Basotho National Party, object to ein decision, den later organise series of protests insyd de National Assembly buildings. De assembly ein privileges committee later find say Lekhanya plus four other BNP members threaten den intimidate Motsamai, den recommend say make dem suspend dem from parliament without pay for up to five months. Sekhonyana be assassinated two days after dem give out dat finding.

### 2012–present
Insyd February 2012, Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili lef de Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD) party to form new party wey be Democratic Congress. He dey joined by 44 other members of parliament. When parliament come back, Motsamai (wey join de new party) ask MPs make dem stand insyd demma seats to show support for Mosisili ein government, den she later rule say he still get control over de assembly so he fit remain insyd power. Ein ruling cause controversy, as Lesotho ein electoral law no dey allow members wey dem elect through party list to change party insyd de middle of ein term. Thabang Kholumo, wey be deputy leader of de Popular Front for Democracy, talk say Motsamai ein ruling no dey constitutional, as she take over King Letsie III ein power to nominate de prime minister. Tom Thabane, wey be leader of de All Basotho Convention, call make dem arrest Motsamai plus Mosisili for treason.

Mosisili ein government lose for de 2012 general election, den dem replace Motsamai as speaker plus Sephiri Motanyane. She get re-elected to de speakership insyd March 2015 after de 2015 general election, when Democratic Congress come back to power as de head of coalition government. She win de speakership election 66–53, for vote wey go strictly along party lines.

## References


## External links