Ntsu Mokhehle

**Ntsu Mokhehle** (wey dem born on 26 December 1918 den die on 6 January 1999) be one Lesotho politician. Na him form de Basutoland African Congress (BAC) for 1952. Later for 1957, he form Basutoland Congress Party (BCP), den again for 1997 he start Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD). He serve as de third Prime Minister of Lesotho from 2 April 1993 go 17 August 1994, den from 14 September 1994 go 29 May 1998.

## Early life den education
Mokhehle na person wey dem born for small village called Mokhehle, wey dey just few miles from Teyateyaneng, on 26 December 1918. Ein poppie, Cicerone Mokhehle, be de village ein headman den one of de first Basotho Inspector of Schools. For 1940, Mokhehle get admission go Fort Hare University insyd Transkei wey he study science. He write articles for de Basotho newspaper *Mochochonono*, den later join protest activities wey make dem sack am from de university for 1942. As he come back Lesotho, he join one movement called *Lekhotla la Bafo*. Later for 1944, he return go Fort Hare University den complete ein studies, graduate plus MSc degree insyd Zoology after he discover plenty new species of parasites.

## Political career
As he dey study for Fort Hare University, he join de African National Congress (ANC) den help plenty for form de ANC Youth League, wey he be one of de chartered members. When he return Lesotho, he continue ein political career den for 1952 he form Basutoland Congress Party (wey later dem change ein name to Basotho Congress Party afta independence for 1966). He lead dis party as de first party president till 1997 wey he resign den form new political party called Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD). He fight British colonial rule for Lesotho den dey demand say make Basotho people get more self-rule. He sana start two powerful political newspapers: *Mohlabani* (wey mean "The Warrior") den *Makatolle*. Because of ein outspoken political talk, dem sack am from ein teaching job for Basutoland High School for 1954. Ein party, Basutoland Congress Party, win plenty seats for de first elections wey dem hold for Lesotho for 1960. Insyd de 1965 elections, de party come second to Leabua Jonathan ein Basotho National Party. Afta de 1965 elections, Ntsu Mokhehle join force plus King Moshoeshoe II to try block Lesotho ein independence unless dem go hold anoda general election den give more power to de paramount chiefs. But dis alliance no last, as government break King Moshoeshoe ein gathering for Thaba Bosiu for December 1966. Insyd 1970, Mokhehle ein party — Basotho Congress Party — win de elections, but Prime Minister Leabua Jonathan no gree give up power. Instead, he suspend de constitution, declare state of emergency, den seize power by force. Many people wey oppose am go prison without trial for over one year. E show clear say Leabua no dey for democracy — he rule de country through force and intimidation. By 1974, Basotho Congress Party try take power by force — dem attack some police stations, but de move no succeed. Afta dat, government arrest or kill many people, den Leabua ein reign of terror continue. Ntsu Mokhehle run comot Lesotho, go exile for Botswana, Zambia, den later South Africa. While dey exile, he help form de Lesotho Liberation Army den secretly work plus South African security forces to destabilize Lesotho ein government.

Mokhehle get honorary doctorate from Fort Hare University for 1996 den anoda one from National University of Lesotho for 1990.

De military overthrow dictator Leabua Jonathan, wey make Mokhehle plus some oda people fit return to Lesotho for February 1989. For 1993 elections, Basotho Congress Party under Mokhehle win by landslide — international observers talk say de election be free den fair. He rule from 1993 go 1998. Insyd 1997, Mokhehle resign as leader of Basotho Congress Party den start new political party wey dem call Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD). For late January 1998, Mokhehle no fit attend LCD conference because ein health no good, den he no wan contest again for party leadership — but party still re-elect am. As Mokhehle insist say he no go fit lead again, dem organize new conference wey Deputy Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili win as new leader on 21 February. LCD win de parliamentary election wey follow, den Mosisili replace Mokhehle as Prime Minister.

## Death
Mokhehle die insyd Bloemfontein, South Africa on 6 January 1999.

## References