Mohalenyane Phakela
THE much-awaited annual Kome Caves Beer and Glamping Festival will be the highlight of this weekend’s activities, with the fete running for three days starting tomorrow.
The whole country and neighbouring towns in South Africa are already abuzz as the festival gets nearer, with all roads set to lead to the Kome Caves tomorrow afternoon.
Since its inauguration last year, the festival has attracted brewers, beer aficionados, revelers and adrenaline junkies from around the world. Although the title suggests it is merely a beer festival, it has since proved otherwise since it also caters for those with an outgoing and adventurous streak.
There is also fun galore for teetotallers with many outdoor activities lined up, including horse-riding, quad-biking, extreme paintball, archery target shooting, and cave tours among others. According to the organisers, revellers can expect a different experience each year with nature “served on a silver platter”- as the “glamping” (glamorous camping) credo goes.
The festival is organised by a local events’ company Tangerine Inc. in conjunction with Maluti Premium Lager. Over 40 craft makers and macro brewers from across Africa will showcase their wares, most of which are not served in the local market.
Tangerine Inc. was appointed by the Lesotho Tourism Development Corporation to manage and administer the Kome Caves Arts and Crafts Centre, the Kome Development Trust and promote the caves as a tourist attraction.
The Kome Caves are a National Heritage Site with a rich history dating back to 1800’s. The Kome Cave Village, as it is otherwise known, is literally built under a rock. It served as a fortress for its first settlers who fled the lifaqane wars that devastated much of the southern African region in the early 19th Century. It was also a hiding place for its inhabitants from cannibals. The descendants of the very settlers of the Caves can be found there today.
Members of the Mozambique-South African band, 340ml, Rui Soeiro and Tiago Correia-Paulo, will once again entertain guests along with American House trio Tortured Soul, DJ Invizable, MsKelle, Kolu Jazz Band, Dub Cousins, Marimba Band, Gran’mah. D2amajoe, Bhudaza are billed to perform at the Festival, amongst many other local and international artists.
