The Honourable Timothy T.Thahane was born at Mpharane, Leribe district, on November 2, 1940.

His interest in figures and matters financial developed and took root years ago, having graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Economics and a Bachelor of Commerce (Management and labour Relations) from Memorial University of Newfoundland, St.Johns, Canada, in 1967 and, a year later a Master's degree in Economics from the University of Toronto.

Memorial University of Newfoundland, St.Johns awarded him an LLD (Honoris Causa) in recognition of his contributions to finance in 1999.

Dr.Thahane was Director of Planning in the Central Planning and Development department in the Prime Minister's Office from 1968 to 1973, responsible for, amongst others, the preparation of the First Transitional National Development Plan 1970 - 1974. It was also during this time that he served as Lesotho's Alternate Governor to the World Bank Group. He was also, during this period (1969 - 1974), the country's Representative on the Administrative Council of the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) and Member of the Panel of Conciliators.

He was appointed the country's ambassador to the then European Economic Commission (EEC) in Brussels from 1973 to 1974. The following two years saw Dr.Thahane as an Alternate Executive Director for Africa Group 1 in the World Bank Group, finally an Executive Director for the Africa Group 1 from 1976 to 1978. In this position he served as Vice Chairman of the Joint Audit Committee.

From 1978 to 1980, he served as Lesotho's ambassador to the United States, moving on later in 1980, to become Vice President and Secretary to the Work Bank and its Affiliates. During the 16 years that he was here, Dr.Thahane served on the Financial Policy; Managing; Reorganisation Steering; Personnel and Administration; Policy and Research Committees as well as becoming a Member of the President's Council.

Headhunted by the new South Africa, Dr.Thahane became Deputy Governor of that country's Reserve Bank from 1996 until 2001. He was appointed to the Lesotho Cabinet as Minister of Finance and development Planning in 2002, a position he holds to date.

Other Professional Activities

1969 – 1976 Attended Annual Commonwealth Finance Ministers and Senior Finance Officials Conferences; participated in setting up of the Commonwealth Fund for Technical Cooperation in 1969.

Participated in the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UN-ECA) Panel of Experts on “Intra-African Cooperation and Africa’s Relations with the European Economic Community (EEC)” and in various Africa Economic and Technical meetings organized by the African Economic Commission for Africa.

Addressed and lectured at various International and Regional Professional and Development Seminars and Conferences in Africa, Europe, U.S.A and Asia.


Professional Papers And Publications

1998 - “Financial Cooperation in SADC” in South Africa and Southern Africa; Regional Integration and emerging Markets, the South African Institute of International Affairs, Johannesburg.

1998 T.T Thahane and E.J Van der Merwe, “Mercosur and SADC: Investment and Trade Linkages” paper presented at the Conference of “Mercosur and SADC” organized by the South African Institute of International Affairs, Johannesburg.


1988 “International Labour Migration in Southern Africa” in Migration and Development: The Unsettled Relationship” edited by Demetrios G. Papademetriou, Greenwood Press, New Jersey.

1975 “The Impact of Major Factors of International Economy on African Economic Development”, in Perspectives in Afro-German Relations, Friedrich-Eberstiftung, Bonn.

1974 “Development Planning” in Accelerated Development in Southern Africa, edited by John Barratt, et. Al., Macmillan, London.

1973 “Lesotho: The Realities of Land-Lockedness” in Land Locked Countries of Africa edited by Zdenek, Cervenka; the Scandmavian Institute of African Studies, Uppsala.


1967 “The Role of Institutions in Manpower Training and Utilization; prepared for the Royal Commission on the Economic Prospects of Newfoundland, St. Johns, Newfoundaland.


“Collective Bargaining Provisions in Major Manufacturing Industries in Canada”, paper prepared for Department of Labour and Manpower, Ottawa.