Pretoria, South Africa – April 20, 2024 – Lesotho’s top diplomat in South Africa, High Commissioner Ntsime Jafeta, co-hosted a reception alongside Australian High Commissioner Tegan Brink on Wednesday. The event, held in Pretoria, aimed to introduce Mr. Joshua Phoho Setipa to the Commonwealth High Commissioners based there.
Setipa, a candidate for the prestigious position of Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, used the occasion to outline his vision for the organization and discuss potential collaboration with member states towards a “fairer, more secure, more prosperous, and sustainable future.”
The reception garnered significant attention, with Lesotho’s Foreign Minister, Lejone Mpotjoana, gracing the event with his presence. Lesotho’s government previously announced its decision to nominate Setipa for the Secretary-General role, citing his “full range of competencies” to effectively lead the Commonwealth.
Today I was privileged to address Commonwealth High Commisioners in Pretoria about my candidature for @commonwealthsec . I was accompanied by Hon. @l.Mpotjoane. We are grateful to @AuHCSouthAfrica for hosting us. pic.twitter.com/oM4Y0L9tZd
— Joshua Setipa (@JoshuaSetipa) April 19, 2024The Commonwealth Heads of Government will make the final decision on the organization’s seventh Secretary-General at their upcoming meeting in Apia, Samoa, scheduled for October 2024. This position is responsible for promoting and safeguarding the Commonwealth’s values, representing the organization publicly, and managing its Secretariat.
If successful, Setipa would become only the second African Secretary-General, following Chief Emeka Anyaoku of Nigeria, who served from 1990 to 2000.
