Mafikizolo
Mohalenyane Phakela
THE Moyo Benefit Concert, which was held on Saturday, lived up to its billing with top notch performances from local and South African artistes which had scores of youthful and older revelers dancing the night away.
The music festival which was held at Thaba Bosiu Cultural Village was the brainchild of telecommunications giant, Vodacom Lesotho (VCL), who used it to launch their life changing initiative, dubbed the Moyo Lesotho Project.
The Moyo Lesotho project is an initiative by the Vodafone Foundation in partnership with the Ministry of Health and global private partners. The project is aimed at identifying children and pregnant women living with HIV/AIDS and using VCL’s mobile technology to link them to much-needed care.
The project is presently being carried out in the districts of Leribe and Maseru.
The music event was graced by King Letsie III, Queen ‘Masenate Mohato Seeiso, senior government officials and other stakeholders.
In his keynote speech, His Majesty applauded VCL and its partners for helping the country fight the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
“This is indeed an exciting but touching initiative that will change the lives of many Basotho. We all know that this country is faced with the challenge of reducing the rate of HIV infections and mortality especially in children and pregnant women which are among the highest in the world,” King Letsie III said.
“Vodacom and its partners see this as a way of giving back to the community but I think it is the greatest initiative and it has brought great joy to my heart. This is because it will reduce the infection rates, especially in remote areas where transport is a problem. Let us all support the project and join them in fighting this pandemic devouring our nation.”
The star-studded list of performers did not disappoint, belting out hit after hit, which left revelers asking for more.
The opening act was Khubetsoana-based outfit, Converse Heroes, who brought the cultural centre down vibrancy with their energetic dance moves. They were followed by gospel singers Sentšo and Tebogo whose melodic tunes also got the audience to dance.
Other performers who wowed the crowd included the likes of Nathi, Mafikizolo, DJ Linah, Tsepo Tsola, L-Tore, Okmalumkoolkat, Bucie, Vusi Nova, AKA, Nasty V, DJ Linah, Juvy and Bhudaza whom King Letsie III had insisted on watching before leaving the event.
In the end, it was not possible to separate the performers who all gave spirited performances which ensured that the chilly breeze was not felt at all.
South African Afro Pop singer Nathi told the Weekender on the sidelines of the event that he was honoured to be part of the initiative.
“This is my first time in Lesotho, and I feel honoured that my debut appearance was at a charity show for those affected by HIV/AIDS. I believe that most people who are infected see that as the end of their lives with only a limited number of days to live, I have been down before and hopeless while in jail but I realized that it was not the end of the tunnel and like me they can still live a healthy and happy life,” he said.
Fellow South African, rapper AKA, also hailed the festival, describing it as “an important initiative that brings people together and it has given us the opportunity to lend a helping hand to the infected”.
“We are all affected by the stigma and therefore taking part in this initiative is my way of supporting the community,” said AKA.
Local musician Sentso said that it was a blessing to be given the opportunity to speak to people through music and encourage them to support and love those who are infected.
“This is my first time being part of an HIV-related initiative. I feel honoured as a Mosotho to be here as it is a way of giving back to the community that has been supporting us,” he said.
