Moroke Sekoboto
RENOWNED 99-year-old Mosotho artist, Meshu Mokitimi, is set to participate in the prestigious Afrika Wien Tage Festival in Vienna, Austria, from 8 to 18 August 2025.
Speaking to the Lesotho Times at Moshoeshoe I International Airport yesterday, Meshu Art Gallery curator, Tšepiso Mahase, said this momentous occasion not only celebrates Mr Mokitimi’s profound impact on Lesotho’s art scene but also marks a significant international breakthrough for the gallery.
Located at Pioneer Mall, the Meshu Art Gallery is a tribute to Lesotho’s rich artistic heritage. Named in honour of Mr Mokitimi, widely regarded as the Father of Art in Lesotho, the gallery aims to continue his legacy by nurturing the next generation of Basotho artists.
The gallery is the initiative of Moruo Development, in partnership with Limkokwing University of Creative Technology (LUCT), Standard Lesotho Bank (SLB), and South Africa’s Artist Proof Studio (APS).
It is designed to not only showcase Mr Mokitimi’s legacy but also to nurture future generations of Basotho artists.
Ms Mahase described Afrika Wien Tage as one of Austria’s premier festivals celebrating African arts and culture. She said Mr Mokitimi’s participation would help forge a powerful connection across generations, continents, and artistic traditions.
“The Afrika Wien Tage Festival provides African flair, rousing rhythms, and an infectiously cheerful atmosphere, transforming the Danube Island into a vibrant celebration of life,” she said.
“International artists offer live music, energetic dance performances, and a colourful bazaar featuring culinary delights, artisanal treasures, and typical African products. The festival also includes concerts, workshops, a children’s programme, and more – offering a true feast for the senses.
“The Meshu Art Gallery proudly announces that the esteemed 99-year-old Mosotho artist, Meshu Mokitimi, is set to participate in this festival. This pivotal moment not only celebrates Mokitimi’s immense contribution to the arts in Lesotho but also signifies a major international milestone for the gallery.”
Ms Mahase noted that Mr Mokitimi, renowned for his deeply expressive works and for shaping Lesotho’s cultural identity, will stand as a vibrant testament to the enduring power of African art on the global stage.
She further revealed that the Meshu Art Gallery is now an official partner of the Afrika Wien Tage Festival, showcasing Mr Mokitimi’s works alongside a curated selection from the gallery’s broader programme. This includes pieces by both emerging and established artists from Lesotho and South Africa.
“This collaboration marks a key achievement in our mission to elevate Lesotho’s visual arts on the international stage. Artists featured alongside Mr Mokitimi include Motty Monethi, Alvin Lesoli, Hlasoa Lenoesa, Patrick Rorke, and Mookho Ntho. This journey not only honours Mr Mokitimi’s lifetime of work but also signals an international breakthrough for Lesotho’s art scene,” said Ms Mahase.
Speaking before his departure, Mr Mokitimi expressed his gratitude to Pioneer Mall for sponsoring his trip.
He also made a heartfelt appeal to the government to open a national museum, emphasising the importance of preserving and promoting local talent.
“I am excited to participate in this international festival because it will allow me to interact with artists from around the world. There is incredible talent in this country, and I appeal to the government to open the museum so that young artists have a space to showcase their craft,” Mr Mokitimi said.
“Art is intellectual property and must be protected for artists to earn a living from their work.”
