Khotso Maphathe, a 27-year-old Mosotho filmmaker Khotso Maphathe has secured the Vision & Voice Award at the Alma Film Festival for his project, Threads, Beats and Legends: Sesotho Alive.
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* A former journalist and radio host who is passionate about media and it's impact on society.
A 27-year-old Lesotho filmmaker and creative director, Khotso Maphathe, is putting Lesotho’s storytelling on the global map after securing a Vision & Voice Award at the Alma Film Festival held in the Dominican Republic.
Maphathe was recognised for his compelling project, Threads, Beats and Legends: Sesotho Alive, a film that captures the spirit of a new generation of Basotho youth dedicated to preserving and reimagining Sesotho culture through music, fashion, visual arts, and storytelling.
Reacting to the win, Maphathe described the moment as both personal and symbolic for Lesotho’s creative sector.
“This award is not just about me, it’s about the stories we carry as Basotho. It shows that our culture, our identity, and our voices matter on a global stage.”
The award marks a significant milestone not only for Maphathe but also for Lesotho’s growing creative industry, as local narratives continue to find resonance on international platforms.
A product of the CAFI Entrepreneurship Hub’s second cohort, Maphathe represents a rising wave of young creatives leveraging innovation and cultural identity to tell authentic African stories.
His work stands out for its deliberate focus on heritage, particularly his visual documentation of Lesotho’s iconic wool and mohair industry, an area deeply rooted in the country’s socio-economic fabric.
Maphathe emphasised that his work is driven by a desire to preserve culture while making it relevant to younger generations.
“Threads, Beats and Legends: Sesotho Alive is about showing that our culture is alive. It’s not something of the past, it’s something we are living, shaping, and taking into the future.”
Beyond filmmaking, Maphathe is the founder of Space Agency Africa, a creative platform aimed at amplifying African voices and aesthetics through visual storytelling. His multidisciplinary approach, spanning fine art photography and film, has enabled him to craft narratives that appeal to both local and global audiences.
He also highlighted the importance of platforms that support young creatives in Lesotho.
“There is so much untapped talent in Lesotho. What we need are more spaces, more support, and more belief in young creatives to tell our own stories.”
His recognition at the Alma Film Festival underscores the increasing visibility of African creatives on the world stage and highlights the importance of platforms that nurture young talent.
It also signals a shift in how African stories are being consumed, moving from the margins to mainstream global discourse.
For Lesotho, Maphathe’s achievement is a moment of pride and a reminder of the untapped potential within the country’s creative sector.
Summary
Sesotho Alive, a film that captures the spirit of a new generation of Basotho youth dedicated to preserving and reimagining Sesotho culture through music, fashion, visual arts, and storytelling.
His recognition at the Alma Film Festival underscores the increasing visibility of African creatives on the world stage and highlights the importance of platforms that nurture young talent.
For Lesotho, Maphathe’s achievement is a moment of pride and a reminder of the untapped potential within the country’s creative sector.
A Professional Communications practitioner with a wealth of expertise in marketing, public speaking, communication and media relations. I believe in learning everyday and improving one’s personal and professional capabilities.
* A former journalist and radio host who is passionate about media and it’s impact on society.
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