Limkokwing University Lesotho’s Tourism and Hospitality Management students hosted 'Oasis of Hope', an event held to promote Basotho culture and put it in the forefront of the tourism industry. The event was hosted on 21st May at the University’s campus.
As tourism is one of the industries forming the basis of Lesotho economy, Oasis of Hope was held in the hope of encouraging Basotho youth to be more involved in this industry, especially taking advantage of the Kingdom’s rich cultural heritage.
Event Management lecturer Kemang Leluma said that Oasis of Hope gave the opportunity for students to practically plan and coordinate an event on their own. “The event provided the students with a holistic experience, it gave them an opportunity to put their classroom learning into practice.”
Leluma went on to explain that practical experience was a necessary skill for students upon entering the industry.
He and other lecturers commended the students on the success of the event, saying that they had exceeded their expectation in coordinating Oasis of Hope. They were certain that the students would be able to meet the industry’s standards upon graduation.
A student organiser, Lehlonolo T’soeu, represented his fellow students to thanks the lecturers for their continuous supports, and said that Oasis of Hope had enabled the students to maximise practical learning.
“Limkokwing’s holistic learning approach steers me to the right direction. I get to both learn in classroom and application in practices,” T’soeu said. He also added, “I have developed a vision to enliven tourism industry through creativity, as Oasis of Hope had turned into a success.”
Oasis of Hope was a cultural event that mainly aimed at raising awareness in sustaining Basotho culture as a primary attraction in tourism and hospitality industry. The event featured many African tribes, including Zulu, Xhoza, Venda, and Tswana tribes showcasing traditional dances, poetry reading of Basotho’s famous poem ‘Lithoko le Lithothokiso’, as well as traditional Basotho wedding ceremony preparations.
