On May 25 2019, Thaba Bosiu Cultural Village will be the host venue for the Africa Day 2019 celebration.
The event will congregate Africans living in Lesotho under one roof to celebrate their unity, diversity, culture, heritage and solidarity through music, food, poetry, fashion show, honouring of African professionals and musicians who played a pivotal role in shaping and developing Lesotho as we know it.
Organised by Pabatso Exposée and themed “Bo Afrika” in Lesotho for 2019, Africa Day is celebrated in Africa and other international countries as a day that commemorates the foundation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU on 25 May 1963, now known as African Union (AU) from 2001.
In an interview, Pabatso Exposée Marketing Manager Mr Thabiso Sebotsa explained: “Lesotho like other countries, does acknowledge the presence of our fellow brothers and sisters from the length and breadth of our continent and the unique and diverse roles they play that contribute to socio-political, academic, infrastructural and economic development of our Mountain Kingdom”.
Mr Sebotsa further explained that Africa Day 2019 “Bo Afrika “ event is poised to expose to the various communities of the global village, the melting pot of African traditional, cultural and heritage beauty in diversity that resides and coexist in harmony in Lesotho.
In light of the many social ills confronting Africans all over the continent, especially in the form of Xenophobia, Afrophobia, Self-Hate, Corruption, Bad Leadership, Moral and Cultural Degeneration; Africa Day 2019 will also be a platform to deliver key counter social-ills messages meant to promote Moral Regeneration, Social Cohesion, Africanism and Good Leadership amongst Africans.
In essence, Africa Day 2019 event will be a day to reclaim peace, dignity and justice for Africans living in Lesotho. Unlike back when OAU was formed, colonialism is no longer a common enemy for Africans. Nonetheless, free travel, free trade between African countries still remains a tall order hence why Africa day 2019 is conceptualised.
Bokang Mohajane, one of the event organisers also acknowledged that, “This year’s event will also serve to recognise progress and diversity in leadership in Africa. Furthermore, our event this year will acknowledge solidarity, heritage, culture and the role that Africa should be playing on the world stage.”
As precursor to the main Africa Day 2019, Mohajane further explained that Pabatso Exposee has also organised a walk up Thaba-Bosiu fortress on 24 May 2019 to pave way for the main event on 25 May.
“The walk is for Basotho and their fellow Brothers and sisters from various parts of Africa, to participate in, as a symbol of unity in diversity and the spirit of solidarity that we have to emulate in our daily lives and endeavours as Africans, for peaceful coexistence and developmental agenda as a people.”
“ The fortress climb will be followed by a recreational football game between our national football team, Likuena FC and a select squad of our fellow African brothers at the Setsoto National Stadium”, Mohajane highlighted.
The winner between the two teams will be awarded the inaugural Lesotho Africa Day Commemoration Cup on the 24 May, and will further be celebrated on the main event the following day at the Thaba-Bosiu Cultural Village
Artists who will be performing on the day will beAfrican Unity Band, Siphiwe Nzima, Mookho Moqhali and a surprise special guest. The event is sponsored and powered by Lesotho Post Bank, Thaba-Bosiu Cultural Village, Print-Corp, Mphoso Fleet Services, Kang-Fong Brewery, Newsday, Harvest FM, The Nation, Dew-Drop, Ultimate FM, Pick N Pay and Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Culture.