Lesotho’s call to maximise its natural endowments took centre stage at the relaunch of the Katse Tourism Festival, an initiative rooted in community action, cultural pride and the country’s most valuable resource — water. The festival, now in its fifth annual edition, will take place from 26th to 28th February 2026 at the iconic Katse Dam.
Chairperson of the Katse Action Plan, Selikane Rakuoane, stated that while tourism has always been regarded as a priority sector in Lesotho, national budget allocations have not consistently reflected that status. He said stakeholders are closely watching the upcoming national budget presentation by the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning to see whether tourism will finally receive the financial support it deserves. According to Rakuoane, meaningful investment in tourism can unlock economic opportunities for communities and contribute significantly to national development.
He described Katse Dam as the number one tourism destination in Lesotho and ranked it second in Africa after the Ethiopian dam, highlighting its strategic importance. Situated approximately 2,000 metres above sea level, the dam’s altitude and mountainous surroundings make it uniquely attractive to tourists seeking scenic beauty, adventure and water-based experiences. Its positioning high in the Maloti Mountains adds to its appeal as both an engineering marvel and a tourism jewel.
Rakuoane explained that the festival began as a community-driven initiative without sponsorship. Community members organised it after realising they were not benefiting from what he called the “gold” around them — the dam. Over time, the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA), mandated to oversee the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, came on board as a major sponsor and has supported the festival in recent years. He noted that the event has grown more than fivefold since its inception, demonstrating both community commitment and the potential of strategic partnerships.
Speaking at the launch, LHDA Chief Executive Officer Tente Tente emphasised that the festival is not merely an entertainment gathering but a vehicle for community empowerment, enterprise development and national pride. He said the initiative aligns with LHDA’s 10-year strategic plan launched three years ago, which seeks to ensure that communities involved in and affected by the water project benefit directly from it. He added that the narrative around “project affected people” is gradually shifting, with greater emphasis now placed on turning them into beneficiaries rather than focusing only on the negative aspects of large infrastructure projects.
The festival aims to attract young people, who are the primary audience for such events, while placing strong emphasis on cultural preservation. Organisers regard the cultural component as central, as it teaches and promotes Basotho traditions while integrating them into modern tourism experiences.
A strong call was also made for Basotho to actively participate in water games and other activities during the festival. The message was clear: the country must use what it has. If water is Lesotho’s greatest endowment, then Basotho should not be followers in exploiting it but leaders in shaping its value chain. The relaunch of the Katse Tourism Festival 2026 serves as a reminder that sustainable development begins with recognising, embracing and maximising local resources for the benefit of communities and the nation at large.
