By Neo Kolane
The popular Festival for Malibamatšo Summer in Spring (FEMSIS) will be hosting its third edition on October 29-30 at ‘Matšooana in the Thaba-Tseka district.
‘Matšooana is roughly 15 kilometres from Thaba-Tseka town and 25 kilometres from Mantšonyane.
FEMSIS is an annual festival run by a group of partners and organisers. It was inaugurated in September 2019.
The festival is intended to promote local musicians and artists, while offering quality entertainment to Basotho and tourists.
In an interview with theReporter, chairman and founder of the festival, Kopano Makhoabenyane, said that FEMSIS also planned to provide jobs to the youth and promote local businesses.
Kopano disclosed that FEMSIS is mainly a creative arts festival that promotes environment conversation and tourism in Lesotho.
“The festival is made up of three main events; Basotho beer festival, Trout festival and Basotho music festival.
“Various Basotho beer, wine and cider producers who sponsored the festival will promote their products throughout the festival.
“Attendants will be exposed and enticed to taste and buy these unique Lesotho beverage products.
“As much as attendees who may not be interested in these promoted products will be given options to buy other alcoholic products, the main focus will be on sales and promotion of sponsored local products.
“There will be free braai stands for attendees to roast trout fish. Those individual who will bring their own braai stands will be given space. There will be focus and promotion of trout fish roasting, more than any meat.
“As for the Basotho music festival, we intend to promote local [Basotho] musicians. There will be various genres, like Famo, AfroHipHop, Afro Jazz, Afro House and many others,” Kopano echoed.
Kopano said that the success of the event will imply that owners and organisers will generate enough funds to cover costs incurred, develop the site further and implement community outreach projects already in pipeline.
“Partners and sponsors will get enough exposure and marketing of their products, which means more business benefits and growth. Tourism will grow and generate more funds for the district and the country.
“Music industry will grow and also encouragement for new and rising musicians,” he hoped.
LINFORD Vodka, Senate Premium Gin, Mohope Premium beer, Kangfong, Mountain Spel brandy are some of the local alcoholic beverages that will be available at the festival.
