MORIJA — The Telecom Econet Morija Arts and Cultural Festival burst into life yesterday with organisers saying all was on course for the biggest festival ever.
Max Seifert, one of the organisers, said all billed artists were set to perform at the festival.
“Jazz artists such as Letta Mbulu, Thandiswa Mazwai, Solace, Mojo Live, Fatere, Sipho and Komora are going to perform at the festival,” Seifert said.
Deborah Fraiser, Yadah Praise family, Khahliso Mphephoka, Sekhohola, Lomile and a host of other local and regional artists are also billed to perform at the festival.
Moorosi Tšatsanyane, a director of Lezah Media which is organising the festival, expressed hope that the festival will be a success.
“It is going to be the greatest festival ever,” Tšatsanyane said.
He said they had beefed up security to ensure that revellers are safe during the festival.
“Security is going to be tight,” Tšatsanyane said in an interview with the Lesotho Times yesterday.
The annual festival which began yesterday will run until Sunday.
Yesterday, primary and high school students were billed to take part in cultural competitions, traditional dances and games, according to organisers.
“Primary and high schools will compete in cultural dances such as mokhibo, ndlamo, mohobelo and litolobonya,” Seifert said in an interview ahead of the festival yesterday.
Seifert said the festival will also cater for families.
“The festival caters for all members of the family,” Seifert said.
There will also be a kids’ corner with jumping castles and net climbing facilities for the young.
The arts festival will run concurrently with festivals for film and theatre.
A famo concert is set for tomorrow.
Local artists, Hatlane, Jumbo oa Mosotho, Mantša, Puseletso Seema, Honye Noka and Botšonyane, are billed to perform tomorrow.
A musical show, the Afternoon Flava, will be broadcast live from Morija by a local radio station, People’s Choice (PC) FM.
Popular disc jockeys Rythmic Element, DJ Natty featuring Miza, Morafe, Evha, Winnie Khumalo, Skebza D, Chebelele, Mthibo Y’n F, DJ Counter Force, DJ Tseko and DJ Bootz are also billed to perform
Tšatsanyane urged people to be responsible.
“People should drink and enjoy in a responsible way,” he said.
Yesterday’s events started at 7.00am.
Line up for tomorrow’s events includes kids’ corner in Makhoarane park, paintballing in Pirates II, arts and crafts exhibition in Mophato and primary schools’ cultural competitions will be held at the Amphitheatre.
