By Thoboloko Ntšonyane
MASERU- Neé Nteboheleng Bolata, Hon ‘Mamamello Holomo, an MP for Thaba-Tseka No. 74, is a seasoned entrepreneur who owns rental properties and fleet services and once ventured across borders to sell goods. Although a trained teacher, she chose to pursue business instead, driven by her entrepreneurial spirit.
Her entrance into politics is rather interesting, as she was initially skeptical when she was approached and persuaded by people of Thaba-Tseka who recognised her potential to serve the people to stand for elections under the Revolution for Prosperity (RFP) banner, a party that made its debut in 2022.
Despite her reservations to join politics, she made the brave decision to step into the 11th Parliament, where she has since become an advocate for her constituency.
A devout Christian and disciplinarian, Holomo embodies values of integrity and she said disciplined approach ensures that she remains focused and grounded in the principles of honesty and leadership she holds dear.
Her faith and discipline guide her decisions, earning her admiration and trust among those she represents.
In Parliament, where the lawmakers are to strive to uplift the marginalised and give a voice to the voiceless, she says, she sometimes finds it disturbing that a lot of time is spent to put the house in order. She said if it was easy to resign as an MP she could have done so by now.
“I have promised the people who rallied behind me that I will not withdraw when the going gets tough,” she said.
Asked on what has been her highlights since becoming an MP, Hon Holomo expressed that her favourite part of serving as an MP is working in the Committees, where they provide oversight of the Ministries under their portfolio.
According to her, it’s in the Committees that members, regardless of their party affiliation, come together to serve the nation and address the concerns of those who bring their complaints. She wished they could spend more time in these Committees, sometimes traveling, to provide oversight function and reach even far flung areas where there are complaints of poor service delivery.
She highlighted that in some places, over 100 people wait in line while only few are being served, which is an inefficiency that she feels cannot be effectively addressed if most of their time is spent in Parliament underscoring the need for her and other representatives to be present in the communities to ensure that people receive good service in government institutions.
While convening in the House to enact laws is important, she believes more work of the MPs happens in the Committees.
She dislikes the disorderly behavior sometimes seen in the House and believes that all Members should conduct themselves in a manner befitting their title, recognising the responsibility they hold to represent the people who look up to them to advocate for solutions to their challenges. Thaba-Tseka MP finds it unacceptable for an MP to go nearly three months without showing up in Parliament to represent their constituency and sometimes not reporting to the Speaker their reasons for absence.
Balancing her roles as a wife, mother, businesswoman, family member, and now a politician has not been easy for Holomo, as she admits she is still striving to find that balance with the demanding work of Parliament. Her ability to connect with others and inspire them has made her a beloved figure in her community.
Even before joining politics, she would gather people, especially women, to share wisdom and exchange ideas on how to strengthen their families and this she said has been going for years. Holomo aspires to inspire others through her actions, integrating her personal values into her public duties and becoming a role model for her community.