There is something special about an event that brings people together, introduces them to new experiences and leaves them with stories to tell long after the day is over.
On 10 October, Maseru Club became just that place as the 13th edition of the Lesotho Wine Festival brought together wine lovers, business people, local creatives and visitors from beyond Lesotho’s borders for a day of wine and connection.
With around 140 wineries from outside the country, from Spain, Portugal, Italy, Botswana, Namibia and South Africa and 35 local crafters in attendance, the festival offered guests a taste of the world without having to leave the Mountain Kingdom.
From sampling different wines to browsing locally made crafts and enjoying some very good company, there was definitely something for everyone. And when the wine tasting made way for entertainment, the atmosphere carried on so well into the day.
Between Security personnel, waiters, bar staff, Kitchen and access people. Total of 700 tags given out.
But the Lesotho Wine Festival is about more than just wine. It is also about tourism and the many opportunities that come when people gather in one place to experience something different. Events like this encourage people to travel, explore new places and spend time in destinations they might not otherwise visit. They also bring visitors into contact with the people, and businesses and creativity that makes Lesotho a destination worth discovering.
For a country with so much to offer; the festival became the gateway to travelers to experience breathtaking mountain scenery and a culture so rich. The events that attract both local and international visitors play an important role in keeping Lesotho on the map. They create opportunities for visitors to experience the country beyond its famous landscapes, while contributing to the vibrancy of its hospitality and business sectors.
One of the festival’s most beautiful contributions, however, is the space it creates for local crafters to share their work with a wider audience. Among the 35 local exhibitors was artist Ms. Kananelo Maphathe, who spoke warmly about what the festival has meant for her business said:
“What Lesotho Wine is doing for me and my fellow artists is one thing I am forever grateful for. My first exhibition with them was the previous year, and that’s where I made my first biggest sale,” she said.
Her story is a reminder that sometimes, all a talented person needs is the right platform and an audience willing to stop, look and appreciate what they have created. For local artists, the festival opens doors to customers they might not ordinarily reach, including international visitors who can take a piece of Lesotho’s creativity home with them.
This is exactly how it was for another local crafter, Ido Beads; “as vendors, we enjoyed connecting with our clients, especially returning wine exhibitors from last year’s event, who recognised the Ido Beads brand and visited our stall to purchase souvenirs and products,” they shared.
For Paulo De Freitas, the Lesotho-born and bred entrepreneur who founded the event, creating these opportunities is central to his vision. One of his biggest goals is to give local crafters the greatest possible exposure for their businesses, allowing their work to reach more people and helping them connect with potential customers.
And while some guests came for the wine and others for the entertainment, the opportunity to build meaningful relationships was just as important. Local attendee Kuena Mokoena described the festival as a valuable platform not only for having fun and mingling, but also for creating networks that can contribute to one’s growth as a businesswoman.
This is part of what makes events like the Lesotho Wine Festival so valuable. Business conversations happen over a glass of wine, new friendships are formed between strangers, and local entrepreneurs find themselves in rooms with people who could become their next customers or partners. Tourism, after all, is not only about where people go; it is also about what they experience, who they meet and what they take away from the journey.
The festival also demonstrates how events can bring together different parts of the tourism value chain. Wineries introduce their products to new audiences, local crafters showcase their talent, businesses build relationships, and visitors get another reason to spend time in Maseru. These experiences help create a lively destination offering that appeals to both residents and international travellers.
As the 13th edition drew over 1100 people together, it offered a glimpse of what tourism can look like when entertainment and local creativity share the same space. It was a celebration of good wine, certainly, but also of opportunity and the people who make events like this possible.
Because sometimes, the best way to experience a destination is not simply to see its mountains or take photographs of its beautiful scenery. Sometimes, it is to sit among its people, share a conversation, taste something new and leave with a little more appreciation for the place you have visited.
And in the heart of Lesotho, the Wine Festival continues to offer just that: a reason to gather, a reason to explore, and another reason for the world to experience the Kingdom In The Sky.
On his part, LTDC Public Relations Manager Molapo Matela, pointed out that the Wine Festival is positioning Lesotho as a preferred destination for wine lovers and wineries, whilst also contributing positively to the local economy. “Visitors stay in our accommodation facilities and buy food, which means money is being spent locally,” he said.
However, Matela emphasized the need for greater involvement of tourism stakeholders, particularly tour guides and tour operators, who could work with the event organisers to develop additional activities that encourage visitors to stay longer and explore more of Lesotho breathtaking landscape and engage in fascinating activities.
He emphasised that the festival aligns with LTDC’s mandate to promote Lesotho as a preferred tourism destination and attract more visitors to the country. He also commended the organisers for putting together an event of this magnitude.
Summary
- On 10 October, Maseru Club became just that place as the 13th edition of the Lesotho Wine Festival brought together wine lovers, business people, local creatives and visitors from beyond Lesotho’s borders for a day of wine and connection.
- With around 140 wineries from outside the country, from Spain, Portugal, Italy, Botswana, Namibia and South Africa and 35 local crafters in attendance, the festival offered guests a taste of the world without having to leave the Mountain Kingdom.
- Her story is a reminder that sometimes, all a talented person needs is the right platform and an audience willing to stop, look and appreciate what they have created.
Authored by our expert team of writers and editors, with thorough research.
