By Seleoe Nonyane
The Lesotho Tourism Development Corporation (LTDC) and renaissance group Selemo Association yesterday jointly launched a campaign dubbed ‘Moea oa Selemo sa Basotho’ to mark the beginning of the Basotho New Year in August (Phato).
The celebration seeks to promote a spirit of patriotism amongst Basotho.
This is the second year in succession that the two organisations celebrate the event.
The theme for this year’s Selemo campaign is, ‘Solidarity’.
The Petroleum Fund injected M61 000 to make the event a success.
It is believed that celebrating the Basotho new year kindles rapport and dialogue around issues of Basotho culture and cements a strong base for identity as a nation.
This encourages patriotism and leads to conservation and celebration of the country, as well as preservation of culture and heritage.
It is against this backdrop that the LTDC considered to take part in the revival and celebration of the New Year and new season, spring (or Selemo), as this is in sync with the functions delegated to the corporation.
One of the responsibilities entrusted to LTDC is the promotion, revival and development of traditional handicrafts, festivals and culture.
On the other hand, Selemo Association was formed to revive the culture and heritage of Basotho and to encourage them to celebrate the New Year as it was done by their forefathers.
Speaking at a press briefing this week, LTDC acting chief executive officer, Tebello Thoola, said authentic culture and heritage could be used as a drawcard to lure domestic and international visitors to Lesotho to learn and explore our traditions as the Basotho nation.
Thoola noted that the organisation’s mandate is to promote tourism as one of the key economic sectors through private partnerships and community development.
He said the concept of celebrating the Basotho New Year had received acknowledgement from the government, tertiary institutions, the public, and the private sector which is willing to support this endeavour financially.
After successful dialogue and persuasion with the public and relevant stakeholders and buy in from the powers that be, the LTDC said it would propose that the government declares a holiday to commemorate Selemo.
The Selemo Association’s main objective is to build the country’s identity and improve Basotho’s devotion to their own values, as well as to differentiate them from other nations.
The Association says it also aims to improve and implement proactive, coordinated marketing and communications reputation management strategies for Lesotho through various platforms, particularly the arts and other creative industries.
It further seeks to promote the country to domestic, regional and international audiences.
The main commemoration event will be held on August 4 with a public procession from LTDC premises to Manthabiseng Convention Centre led by Lesotho Defence Force band.
The march will be decorated by Basotho men and students wearing their traditional attire with women in their themed Seshoeshoe dresses.
Various speakers including the minister of trade, industry, business development and tourism, Mokhethi Shellie, are expected to address the event.
Qiloane Based Campsite in Thaba Bosiu will from 27 to 29 July hold a cultural year end celebration with the Jeep Legends from South Africa.
There will be a tree planting event at Qiloane Mountain led by the Principal Chief of Thaba Bosiu and a charity drive to Rapokolana Primary School.
There will also be cultural activities and music at Khutsong Lodge on 4-5 August, where guests are requested to wear Mokorotlo hats. In addition, the organisers will also host the Basotho Arts and Cultural Festival featuring exhibition of crafts and traditional cuisine.
