Millionaire Sam Matekani in Maseru, Lesotho, October 8, 2022 – AFP
Millionaire Sam Matekani, who made his fortune from diamond mines, won the largest number of seats in the Lesotho parliament, but without an absolute majority – the electoral commission of this African country announced on Monday (10).
About 1.5 million voters were expected to turn out in the polls on Friday (7) to elect representatives from one of the poorest countries on the planet, where more than 30% of the population lives on less than $1.90 per dollar annually. The World Bank.
Created just six months ago by Matekin, the Revolution to Prosperity movement won 56 seats out of 120, according to the final results.
The 64-year-old candidate has defied all expectations and will have to form a coalition to be elected prime minister of this South African kingdom marked by political instability since its independence from the United Kingdom in 1966.
Matekane runs a company that explores the Letseng Mine, where the world’s fifth largest diamond was discovered in 2018. He refuses to reveal the value of his fortune.
Its popularity increased with the construction of schools, a football field, and a theater, in addition to granting scholarships. It also sponsors the National Football Association and during the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to the procurement of vaccines.
The millionaire suggests reviving the economy and getting rid of the public debt, although he did not specify how to implement his program.
