…charitable festival to aid the needy
Letsatsi Selikoe
IN response to Prime Minister Sam Matekane’s recent?call?to fight?Lesotho’s hunger crisis, Bright Vision Civil Society and Ntsoana-Tsatsi Foundation?will on 21 September 2024 convene?a charitable festival?to raise football parcels for the needy.
Dubbed the Rhythm & Relief Fest,?entry into the?“vibrant and impactful festival”?will be through food items and dignity packages and not cash.? The items will then be donated to help the needy.
The?hunger?crisis, which has been described as one of the worst in decades, has left thousands of people struggling to access basic necessities such as food and water.
According to Mr Matekane, over 700 000 Basotho were facing severe hunger, representing?30 percent of?Lesotho’s?population.
The crisis has been exacerbated by a combination of factors?including drought?and a comatose economy.??
Prime Minister Matekane called on citizens to come together and make a collective effort to address the crisis.
In response to this call to action, the two foundations organized the Rhythm & Relief Fest,?“a unique event that combines music, food, and entertainment with a sense of purpose and community spirit”.
According to co-organiser, Khotso Seleteng of Ntsoana-Tsatsi Foundation, the festival aims to mobilize the community through music and festivities to provide vital support to those in need, ensuring that no one goes hungry or lacks basic hygiene products.
“The mission of Rhythm & Relief Fest is clear: to provide essential food items, such as rice, flour, sugar, or maize meal?and?dignity packages, among others…..?No monetary donations will be accepted; admission is strictly based on the items listed,” Mr Seleteng said.
“Rhythm & Relief Fest is not just a festival; it is a movement to combine the power of music and community spirit to make a tangible difference in the lives of those in need. By participating in this event, individuals contribute directly to the well-being and dignity of others, setting a precedent for annual community-driven charity efforts.”
The event?will?take place the Central Park in Maseru.
“We look forward to your support and participation in making the first Rhythm & Relief Fest a resounding success,” Mr Seleteng said.?