Alliance, MMB to rescue artistes

MASERU-ALLIANCE Insurance Company has joined hands with Maluti Mountain Brewery (MMB) on an initiative to rescue local entertainers. The two companies’ collaboration was announced on Tuesday.

The decision comes after they realised that the local entertainment industry was in distress during the Covid-19 pandemic. The government shut down entertainment businesses after it imposed a national lockdown in March.

On Tuesday, during a press briefing, Tšotetsi Seema, the Brand and Marketing Manager for MMB, said they heard the Tourism Ministry’s call to assist affected entertainers. “We hope that this journey will not be the only initiative we collaborate on to change the lives of Basotho but rather be the first of many to come,” Seema said.

He added that it is important for companies to also give support to Basotho “without whom their businesses would not exist”. The Minister of Tourism Lekhetho Rakuoane said 18 local artists will hold a concert at the ’Manthabiseng Convention Centre on December 5 and 6 as a way of extending a helping hand to the industry which has been badly affected by Covid-19.

According to Rakuoane the concert will be for free and tickets can be collected at the centre’s gates. At least 2 500 people are expected to attend. “Let us show up in our locally produced clothes and also showcase local brands at the concert,” Rakuoane said. “We need to start supporting local production especially now that Covid-19 has exposed just how vulnerable depending on South Africa has made us,” he said.

He added that even though 2020 has been a bad year because of the pandemic Basotho should remember and celebrate the establishment of the nation by King Moshoeshoe 200 years ago. “Hence with the assistance of Leseli Tours this Friday we will also have a pilgrimage walk for the King, Prime Minister and other government officials followed by a pilgrimage walk open for all on the 12th” Rakuoane said.

Domestic tourism, he said, starts with Basotho appreciating and embracing their culture paving way for international tourists to come and experience it. Rethabile Morake, the Managing Director of Leseli Tours, said they are grateful to be trusted with the task to help celebrate such a milestone.

“Because of Covid-19 we had already thrown in the towel for this year, we did not think that anything good would come out, but here we are, celebrating 200 years of Basotho’s existence,” Morake said.

Lemohang Rakotsoane