Chris Theko
The annual musical, arts and local products’ showcasing festival, the 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 the Thaba-Tseka town and about 25 kilometres from Mantšonyane.
The festival intended to promote local musicians and artists, while offering quality entertainment to Basotho and tourists was inaugurated in September 2019.
Chairman and founder of the festival, Kopano Makhoabenyane, said 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, and attendants will be exposed and enticed to taste and buy these unique Lesotho beverages.
“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 individuals who will bring their own braai stands will also be given space, although focus and promotion will be on 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,†Makhoabenyane said.
He indicated 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 the pipeline. He stressed that the festival is a platform for the promotion and growth of the local industry from products to arts for the greater good which is district and national economic development.
Local alcoholic beverage brands such as LINFORD Vodka, Senate Premium Gin, Mohope Premium beer, Kangfong, Mountain Spel are some of the brands which will be available at the festival.