THE APR PROCESS IN LESOTHO INCLUDING PROGRESS ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NPOA BY

1. THE APR PROCESS IN LESOTHO INCLUDING PROGRESS ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NPOA BY VUYANI TYHALI, NGC MEMBER REPRESENTING TRADE UNION MOVEMENT Presentation before the Workshop on the Harmonization of the APRM NPoA with the NSDP within the MTEF MASERU SUN CABANAS 27TH FEBRUARY, 2014

2. BACKGROUND • LESOTHO’S PEER REVIEW { SIRTE- LIBYA –JUNE 2009} • IMPLEMENTATION OF NPOA – ESTABLISHMENT OF STRUCTURES (MONITORING AND EVALUATION TEAM AND MINISTRIES’ FOCAL PERSONS) • PRESENTATION OF LESOTHO’S 1ST ANNUAL APR PROGRESS REPORT BEFORE THE FORUM OF HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT OF APR PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES, ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA, 29TH JAN, 2011.

3. GENERAL • DURING THE PERIOD UNDER REVIEW (2009-2010) FORMIDABLE CHALLENGES REMAINED E.G BUILDING SUSTAINABLE PEACE, SECURITY AND STABILITY. • EFFECTS OF RECENT GLOBAL FINANCIAL MELTDOWN VIS A VIS GOVT EFFORTS TOWARDS SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. • AS REFLECTED IN THE REPORT, RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CRR NOT COMPREHENSIVELY ADDRESSED YET, BUT GOVT CONFIDENT THAT TASK TO BE COMPLETED.

4. SPECIFICS ON PROGRESS/FINDINGS A. DEMOCRACY AND POLITICAL GOVERNANCE THEME • Lot of attention paid to this area – Democracy and Political Governance are prerequisites for progress in the other thematic areas. • CRR had recommended need to develop and strengthen capacity of local structures for mediation in Lesotho’s internal political disputes and to facilitate inter-party dialogue when differences arise in the political arena. Structures employed credibly for intervention. • Thus, role of Non State Actors (NSAs) e.g CSOs and FBOs was promoted and recognized. In fact these homegrown actors were deliberately involved in the recent post-electoral interparty dialogue.

5. PROGRESS/FINDINGS CONT’D • The CCL and LCN are such structures which enjoy confidence of all political parties. • Above all, media policies are being liberalized and the electoral law was reviewed with the aim to reduce the potential for post-electoral conflicts. • Again, it is worth mentioning the catalytic role played by the sub-regional body, SADC in Lesotho- promoting peace and stability has been given prominent attention in the sub-region.

6. PROGRESS/FINDINGS CONT’D • Further, issues of mgt of land allocation, human rights and corruption had featured prominently in the CRR under this theme. i) Govt has responded by enacting the new Land Administration Act, 2010 and by the establishment of the Land Authority. ii) The existing anti-corruption agency was strengthened (human and financial requirements). Reforms such as introduction of IFMIS were meant to reduce leakage of public funds through corruption. iii) Relevant legislations for protection of rights of women and youth enacted, including legislation for the establishment of the Human Rights Commission.

7. PROGRESS/FINDINGS CONT’D B. ECONOMIC GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT THEME • The Report submits that the highlights of success include the development and implementation, for the first time, of Lesotho’s Economic Growth Strategy, with the objective to stimulate economic growth for the country. • Govt has started to implement projects jointly under the Public Private Partnerships (PPP) e.g Ministry of Health’s New Office Complex, etc. • A national policy to support Small and Medium Enterprises (SMMEs) has been developed.

8. PROGRESS/FINDINGS CONT’D C. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE THEME • Highlights of progress include:- i) the development of the new Companies Act (with the objective of creating conducive environment for business). ii) the establishment of the Lesotho Business Council, which is a multi-stakeholder forum for all business issues between govt and private sector (with the objective of creating a smart partnership between the two and in recognition of the contribution of the private sector in this critical area ). iii) Ongoing efforts by the Lesotho institute of Accountants and other relevant institutions regarding corporate governance standards.

9. PROGRESS/FINDINGS CONT’D D. SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THEME • Three main areas identified by the CRR as needing attention in Lesotho included:- i) the development of the agricultural sector; ii) expansion of access to education services; and iii) expansion of access to health services.

10. PROGRESS/FINDINGS CONT’D • Highlights of progress include:- i) the enactment of a new education legislation which makes primary education not only free but compulsory; - programmes on early childhood education were also expanded; ii) the new Child Protection and Welfare Act, 2010 was put in place to ensure universal protection of the rights of children to care and education. A healthy and educated nation is one that is capable of engaging in productive activities for the country’s development; iii) in agriculture limitations were imposed by impact of climate change during the 1st year of NPoA implementation, but significant action was taken to insure that inputs e.g seeds, fertilizers and pesticides were availed to farmers at subsidized rates and on time.

11. PROGRESS/FINDINGS CONT’D E. CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES • HIV and Aids i) widespread expansion of health facilities throughout the country - focus was on strategies to combat the pandemic, with particular emphasis on making ARVs available to all, easily and cheaply or without cost; - policies deliberately focus on prevention of new infections so as to ensure an Aids free generation in due course. These include prevention through mother to child transmission and unprotected sex. • Gender Mainstreaming - all relevant legislation reviewed to facilitate integration of gender issues in the country’s development planning as was recommended by the CRR.

12. DEVELOPMENTS SINCE 1ST PROGRESS REPORT AMONG DEVELOPMENTS SINCE THEN: • Elections –Coalition government • Health – all filter hospitals completed (MCA) • Water services – Metolong project • Communications – Radio and TV access

13. CONCLUSION • Collaboration with the Non State Actors (NSAs) is critical if the APR Process is to have a meaning to the general populace. This applies to all member countries of the APR Participating Countries. Invitations such as this are good for business between ourselves. • The plan is to establish contacts or focal persons within the NSAs who will act as liaison with the APR Secretariat. • The main obstacle for now is how to access villages for sensitization process. NSAs can act as a catalyst in this area. District structures involving Das, DCSs and District and Village councillors. • Funding remains a major challenge. Financing the implementation of NPoA remains a challenge despite mainstreaming of activities into national development plan (NDP).

14. THE END Thank you for your attention