LETOFE is here again!

By Seleoe Nonyane

With the festive season well upon us, Standard Lesotho Bank (SLB) launched the 2023 edition of the Standard Lesotho Bank LETOFE Lifestyle Experience this week.

The event will take place on December 23, 2023 at Thaba-Bosiu Cultural Village.

Speaking at the launch, SLB chief executive officer SLB Anton Nicolaisen said as long-time sponsors of the festival, their goal is for the event to evolve and align with developments in the entertainment industry.

Nicolaisen said SLB has been the sponsor of the festival since 2005 and he was proud that the bank has significantly contributed to its growth.

He noted that he sees the festival transcending beyond the bounds of music and becoming a hotspot for all things good – food, drinks, music, art and lifestyle while still preserving its mandate as a tourism event.

He added that SLB was pleased to continue as the headline sponsor of this music galore that brings moments of jubilation and friendship to Basotho to wind up what has been a long and eventful 2023.

“With our sponsorship of this lifestyle festival, I believe that we have made a bold statement as proud supporters of arts, which is an important part of our long-term strategy.

“In many countries where SLB operates, we support music festivals and other arts event including the iconic Joy of Jazz Festival (where).

Nicolaisen indicated that just like last year, the festival will also continue with the synergy between music and local entrepreneurs who are the bank’s clients.

For his part, LETOFE festival promoter, Montoeli ‘Moleli recounted how at the beginning the event was just known to be a jazz festival but has evolved with time.

‘Moleli said last year they moved from Sounds of Blue to a lifestyle festival and this is visible on the line-up which is completely made of artists from different genres.

“It is a lifestyle experience and for that, we cater for different types of music tastes.

“We have not completely removed jazz artists; four of them will be performing at the event,” he stated.

‘Moleli indicated that some of the well-known jazz artists who will be performing at the festival are Mookho and Stimela.

Other performing artists in the afro-pop genre headlining the show are Mafikizolo, Micasa and solo artist Press who also incorporates jazz in his music.

Lesotho’s own Ntate Stunna will grace the stage that day and South African Hip-Hop star Cassper Nyovest will also perform.

DJs will also get a slot at the festival with the likes of South African Amapiano DJ De Mthuda and some of the local DJs such as DJ Tseko, Afrodeejay, Goldhearted and others.

Lebohang Letšohla, known as Sefako Sa Menoaneng, is the only Famo artist billed to perform on the day.

‘Moleli pointed out that more DJs are included in the festival line-up because he wants to introduce young stars to the big stage to prepare them for the future.

His intention is to bring young people to the event and offer them an opportunity to rub shoulders with bigger artists as this gives them a chance to enhance themselves and grow in the industry.

Meanwhile, Sefako Sa Menoaneng said he is thrilled and honoured to be part of the experience as a newcomer to the festival.

He indicated that he has learnt that a number of local artists in different genres will get an opportunity to perform at the event in future.

He said that for a long time he thought LETOFE was just a jazz festival but now things have evolved, adding that he is thankful for the support.