STATE OF PRESS FREEDOM IN SOUTHERN AFRICA 2022 LESOTHO: CHANGE BRINGS HOPE New contenders entered the scene while former dominating challengers — namely Motsoahae Thomas Thabane of the All Basotho Convention and Pakalitha Mosisili of the Democratic Congress — were absent. The concerns that swayed citizens and scored the Revolution for Prosperity party a victory, centered on governance and fiscal prosperity. By Maleshoane Ratsebe INTRODUCTION L ESOTHO’S October 2022 parliamentary elections seemingly closed the chapter on political volatility and promised to introduce change that looks as though it will pave a way for a more stable political landscape. After years of a politically charged atmosphere, this election heralded a new era, where the focus was on issues rather than personalities.(1) 42 It has been predicted that for this transformative process to translate into a less erratic future, there is need for the new leadership to focus on critical issues curbing corruption, fostering economic prosperity and looking at much needed fundamental reforms to the structure of government.(2) LEGAL AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK The promising signs that Lesotho’s legislative framework was poised for change was when all the major parties in Parliament signed a pledge in May 2022 to pass the Omnibus Constitutional Bill by the end of June.