Basotho social media influencers HalifeleKhoeli, popularly known as Mavele, and ThuloMotaung, known as Kots, attended the recent African Social Media Influencers Summit (ASMIS) held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
ASMIS 2026 brought together leading digital creators, brands, policymakers and media leaders from across the continent to discuss the future of digital influence in Africa. It was held from May 6 to 8, 2026.
In an interview with theReporter, Tello Leballosaid he served as a consultant for the ASMIS project while representing Sky Alpha HD as Founder and Executive Director.
Leballo said Sky Alpha HD participated as an official media partner of the summit and also facilitated the Lesotho delegation throughout engagements in Addis Ababa.
He said his participation helped position Lesotho within continental conversations focused on digital storytelling, youth influence, African narratives and the future of Africa’s creative and digital economy.
According to Leballo, the summit attracted more than 200 influencers, media personalities and digital creators from over 30 African countries.
Leballo said the summit created a valuable platform for African creators to connect, exchange ideas and shape the future of African digital storytelling.
“One of the greatest lessons from ASMIS was the importance of Africans telling their own stories authentically and responsibly,” he noted.
He added that the summit highlighted the power of digital platforms in reshaping Africa’s image, promoting culture, creating economic opportunities and empowering young people.”
Discussions also focused on ethical content creation, monetisation, branding, innovation and collaboration among African countries.
“For Lesotho, this experience reinforced the need to build a stronger and more sustainable creator ecosystem.
“Through platforms such as Sky Alpha HD, the goal is to empower young Basotho creators, promote local culture and tourism, encourage collaborations and position Lesotho as an active player within Africa’s growing digital economy,” Leballo pointed out.
Leballo described Mavele as a creator with strong cultural expression and relatable storytelling, while Junior Kots represents a new generation embracing digital entrepreneurship and influence.
He said the pair could inspire emerging creators, encourage originality rooted in Basotho identity and help position content creation as a viable and sustainable industry in Lesotho.
According to Leballo, content creation could create opportunities for employment, entrepreneurship, tourism promotion and cultural preservation.
