BRIDGE training for political parties

Lesotho BRIDGE Workshop on Political Parties and Candidates

The four-day BRIDGE training workshop was successfully held in Lesotho on the 15-18 July 2025 based on Political Parties and Candidates module. The training brought together 23 participants from different political parties registered with the Commission of Lesotho, including one member from the department of Legal. There were 15 males and 8 females.

The facilitation team was led by Mrs Rindai Chipfunde Vava and also included Ms Lydia Macheli, Ms Nthallo Dora Letšela and Ms Thato Moeti. The Facilitators adopted BRIDGE’s interactive methodology, participants worked in groups, pairs, and trios to explore practical strategies for making elections a more participative activity. Through interactive role plays, debates, quizzes, group and plenary discussions, the agenda delved into various electoral concepts such as the characteristics of Programmatic Political Parties including Independent Candidates.

The conducive environment was created for the participants to share their own experiences and knowledge. Participants particularly enjoyed the energisers as well as the different and creative ways in which the sessions were delivered which kept them intrigued and eager to learn more.

Sessions included, what are Political Parties and why do we support them, overview on Strategic & Operational Plans and Preparations, Financing, Regulating political financing and Inclusion of Women and Political Interest in Legal Framework for Political Parties.

There were some crucial points mentioned by the participants namely

1. The course duration should be extended from four days to at least seven days up to two weeks to cover all topics thoroughly
2. All participants were happy because most of the content delivered was imparted based on the context of Lesotho especially topics focusing on legal framework. They also recommended further explanation of multifaceted topics, such as the adoption of quotas for the inclusion of women in politics and decision making and Electoral provisions included in the Constitutions
3.  Participants suggested conducting similar workshops after every six months to enhance and instil financial knowledge and skill to run Political Party to function efficient and effectively,
4.  There were other opinions that there should be more Modules done on Leadership skills.

Other Feedback: Participants appreciated the facilitators’ expertise and expressed satisfaction with the content and conduct of the sessions. They hoped that more similar workshops should be hosted and recommended holding these sessions for various structures of political parties to broaden their understanding to make positive impact in their day-to-day activities. The course was seen as an eye opener, informative, educative, relevant, and well-organized, with many participants advocating for longer sessions to ensure thorough coverage of all topics.

Participants suggested that the training should also be given to Executive Committee including Political Party Leaders so that they can be in the same page and adopt the BRIDGE Curriculum with the same understanding.

The workshop was both opened and closed by the IEC Lesotho Commissioner Tšoeu Petlane. While closing the Commissioner stated important points included the importance of BRIDGE curriculum. All participants were awarded certificates