I
am tempted to introduce myself as per norms when two people or parties first
meet, but I don't ever want to make this about me or you, the representatives
of the people of Lesotho.
We
would be horribly wrong to expect miracles from a government that came to power
in the middle of a pandemic. We also understand many other challenges that come
with it, biggest of which is inevitable financial crisis that will hit an
already fragile economy. We cannot, however deny the fact that the
government is not handling things well neither. Under normal times, the nation
could afford to give you time to get this machine oiled and ready to rebuild.
Unfortunately we cannot afford that at the expense of the lives of thousands of
Lesothoains that are projected to die from covid19. We would rather hold you
accountable and save more lives and salvage the economy.
On
the subject of holding each other accountable, why would the ministry of health
decide to go to war with doctors when we need them the most? This is not time
to play hide and seek with the lives of two million of us. We watched with
terror an interview the minister of health gave on national television on the
night of 13/July/2020. When asked what the plan would be should the health
workers (mostly doctors and nurses) decide to strike as their needs are not
met, the mister seemed to imply that they don’t really have a solid plan. This
even though there were news that he was threating to take legal action against
those who are asking for mere PPE, this by the way is a government that had all
the time in the world to prepare for this.
I
would like to specifically mention the many times the honorable minister got it
wrong in the interview, like when he boasted that he worked hard to be a
minister after he was asked if its ok for ministers to spend people’s money on their
travels. I believe we don’t have time to talk about that. We would like to appeal
to the government to interfere and finish this feud between the ministry of
health and our health workers because we need them now…now maybe more than you.
I
would like to urge the government to make beating this pandemic a national
priority while looking after your 2 million brothers and sisters home and
abroad. This is the only time that the people genuinely need their leaders to keep
it together for everyone. Our people have been silent for many years while the
leaders enriched themselves and those close to them with the nation’s wealth. Maybe
this is the only time we can all agree that the poor also need to benefit, out
of the decency of being human beings at least.
In
closing, please never forget that all the hopes of Lesothains are pined on you.
Your fundamental job is to look after the people that put you in these positions.
How about we humbly serve the people we vowed to put first instead of boasting
about our own individual work ethics that gave us personal success. This was
uncalled for from the minister.
Hoping
to see some improvements in your approach to your fight against both covid19
and financial turmoil we are facing now.
Regards
James
