Background
He was born on August 16, 1920, at Linakeng. Qacha’s Nek.
He was born on August 16, 1920, at Linakeng. Qacha’s Nek.
Educated at Linakeng Primary School, then at Leribe until 1937 when he went to Adams College. Natal. He completed his schooling with a commercial course at Ohlange Institute, Natal, in 1940.
On his return home his First job was as a Post Office assistant. He left in 1946-the year he succeeded as chief— and became a court clerk. From 1949 to 1953 he was an assessor at the High Court.
In 1959 he founded the Marematlou Party at Maseru to unite chiefs and people in a more democratic system. He remained party leader until 1963 when the merger with the Basutoland Freedom Party created the Marematlou Freedom Party. As a result of clashes with Dr Makotoka, who led the Party until 1969, Chief Matete opted for a breakaway group under the old title.
At one time Chief Jonathan’s main rival but his political strength was undermined by being isolated following the merger between his party and the Basutoland Freedom Party in 1963. A jovial man with a large family, plump but purposeful. Although he still leads a breakaway faction which revived the old party name after the merger he is waiting for his “second wind” in politics to get back into the mainstream.