By Matṧeliso Phulane
The annual Lesotho Gin and Trout festival is back! The event, which aims to promote tourism both locally and internationally, will be a three-day experience in December, under the theme ‘Let the spirit move you’.
In an interview with theReporter Tṧokolo Makeka aka ‘Mr Gin’, stated that the festival officially started in 2019 with the aim to also promote the gin and trout value chain in Lesotho.
“We have noticed that there is trout in the country which is now recognised and acknowledged internationally as a high-quality fish.
“There is also gin which we have also noticed has an opportunity to be cultivated and distilled in our country, because of our clean water as well as other products used to make it a fresh and good gin enjoyed by people,” Makeka indicated.
He noted that the aim was also to find new opportunities of employment as well as revenue generation for the country under the department of tourism.
The event had to cease during Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 until last year where the theme for the festival was the ‘The great awakening’.
“This meant bringing the festival back to life again because its slogan is ‘The spirit of the kingdom’; therefore 2022 simply meant the great awakening of the spirit of the kingdom,” Makeka said.
He said merry makers get excited that the gin and trout festival is back and they had expressed interest.
Mr Gin revealed that this year’s theme is ‘Let the spirit move you’ which simply means the spirit is awaken and, as a result, he encourages people to let the same spirit move them to greatness and action because people are no longer under Covid- 19 restrictions where they used to be locked in doors.
“We’re saying people should get moving, loosen up to be better and greater, and let the spirit move us,” he enthused.
Makeka said a lot of things are happening this year and people should expect more updates.
Among others, there is a pop up where they move around to places which have tourism value in Lesotho to promote and activate the festival.
The aim is to have five more pop ups until December, and he encourages people to check their website for the schedule of where the next one will be held.
“The next one will be held next month at Maqalika Dam where people will definitely get to enjoy the trout, music and boat rides, fishing and other activities.
“Beyond that, there is a special addition of the festival this year which will be held on December, 10, 11 and 16,” said Makeka.
He added that they have already secured a few partners and he is hoping to have more lined up in due course.
