By Matṧeliso Phulane
The Africa Day Carnival is back and will be celebrated specially this year as part of the Lesotho Bicentennial Celebration.
Presented toy you by Pabatso Exposees events company, it is a three-day carnival which will kick off with two simultaneous events at Bambatha Tṧita Sports Arena and Café What? on May 24.
Africa Day is commemorated in Africa and other international countries as a day that celebrates the foundation of the African Union.
This carnival promises to be filled with exhilarating activities such as art, music, poetry and delicious cuisine from across the continent. That celebrate the beauty and diversity of our beloved continent.
The day will kick off with a Carnival Fun Walk, this leisurely walk is the perfect way to start the day and soak in the excitement of the event. For a more adventurous experience, there will also be Mountain Climbing at Thaba-Bosiu, which promises to be both thrilling and rewarding.
In an interview with theReporter this week, the coordinator of the event ‘Mateboho Du Vivier said Africa Day Carnival has always been there as according to her mentor who said they used to host it in the past, but it never seemed to pick up. It is marked in Lesotho’s calendar as Hero’s Day.
Du Vivier said “It is important to celebrate this day, I mean we get to celebrate occasions that we do not know much about sometimes.
“This is a good excuse to come together, mingle and have fun. Besides it’s a good excuse to break the monotony of surviving the mundane everyday life that adults endure. The last we had was in 2019,” she said.
She said this year’s theme is aligned with what is already happening to Basotho as a nation, turning a new leaf and starting a new bicentennial with Pabatso Exposée also having survived its first score.
“That and aligning ourselves with the education theme AU set for this year. We will be having a discussion on the topic, knowing the difference between a calling, career, profession and vocation.
“This year’s event is bigger and better as it is incorporating more activities which are for the whole family. It is meant for adults to come and unwind, while kids are taken care of.
“The youth and young adults will also fit in all to meet with their fellow brothers and sisters from other countries, share and learn from each other,” Du Vivier added.
The event will be packed with an incredible line-up of artists such as Michael Paul Smith and Byron Smith, a renowned international classical music vocalist known for his soul soothing sonorous, eye closing voice that speak to the heart all the way from America.
Simphiwe Nzima Ntṧekhe will also grace the day with her melodious poetry. Among other local artists Naleli ea Thaba, Serumula choral group, Katleho – a classical pianist – and many other will paint the stage with their performances.
“I would say most holidays are a good excuse to celebrate. As I have already mentioned, at times join in without understanding them. I would encourage every Mosotho to take this time as a reason to observe and enjoy themselves,” she concluded.
Tickets range from M200 to M800 depending from the first day to the last day of the event. Tickets are available online or Pick ‘n Pay at Pioneer Mall. For more details, people can check out Africa Day Carnival Lesotho on Facebook page.
