Lesotho Council of NGOs was represented at the 8th Southern Africa Civil Society Forum held in Maputo, Mozambique from 06 August to 09 August 2012. The theme for the forum was “The SADC We Want”, engaging civil society to unpack the kind of SADC they want and what needs to be done to realise it. The forum first engaged with the SADC secretariat, to find out the vision they had for SADC, appraise the forum on the current state of affairs, strengths and weaknesses and what needs to be done for SADC to serve its people.

Civil society also presented their vision and aspirations for the SADC they want looking at various perspectives such as trade unions, the church, children, environment, youth, gender and the economic perspective. Member states also presented on their respective state of political development regarding peace, democracy and political stability.The Acting Executive Director of LCN, Mr. Liau Motoko provided a presentation on the experience of Lesotho’s 2012 general elections, citing that the SADC We want is one in which the reins of power are handed over peacefully following failure to win elections by the ruling party; in this case Dr. Pakalitha Mosisili handing over the baton to the new Prime Minister, The Right Honourable Motsoahae Thabane.

The LCN delegation comprised two Board members and 6 staff members of the Secretariat

Parliamentarians and political parties also had the opportunity to discuss their experiences, perspectives and expectations on the operations and vision of SADC and how they perceive their role and that of civil society in realization of this vision. The outcome of the “The SADC We Want” civil society forum was a statement which is expected to be presented to the Heads of state who have convened in Maputo.