The three-day festival, which will combine culture, business, entertainment and a camping experience, was launched at the Barolong chief residency in Thaba Nchu on Thursday (8/10). Scheduled to run from 30 October to 1 November, the event is being organised in partnership with the national department of tourism. It aims to create opportunities for local businesses while promoting the area’s cultural heritage.

Barolong chief and tourism deputy minister, Makhotso Sotjyu, at the launch of Black Mountain Festival in Thaba Nchu, photo: Kekeletso Mosebetsi.

Mangaung mayor Gregory Nthatisi said the festival should not be viewed as merely another event on the calendar, but as an opportunity to turn cultural and heritage assets into sustainable economic opportunities for communities.

“For Mangaung, tourism cannot simply be about attracting visitors; it must also be about creative livelihood. It must create opportunity for the young person searching for employment. 

“For emerging tour operators trying to enter the market, local artists seeking a platform, small businesses requiring access to customs, the craft producers, caterers, accommodation establishments and an entrepreneur who should benefit whenever people come into our city.”

The festival programme will include a tourism expo, student career expo, student cooks competition, sustainable SMME village, tourism activism, cultural activities and entertainment. Nthatisi said these activities demonstrate how tourism can serve as a meeting point for culture, education, entrepreneurship and economic development.

The launch was also attended by Barolong chief and deputy minister of tourism Makhotso Sotyu, who will be part of the festival. Sotyu promised a major turnaround through opportunities for local businesses and people seeking career development in the tourism sector.

The initiative comes as the Free State seeks to strengthen its tourism offerings and encourage investment in the sector.

Black Mountain Festival launch hosted in Thaba Nchu. Photo: Kekeletso Mosebetsi 

During the launch of Tourism Month in September, Free State MEC for economic, small business development, tourism and environmental affairs Ketso Makume called for greater investment to create jobs, support businesses and encourage more travel.

He said the province needed to market its tourism offerings more aggressively and draw attention to its landscapes, mountains, waterways, hills and other attractions. The department’s acting head, Pakiso Lebone, highlighted the importance of using technology to improve access to tourism facilities.

“One of our priorities is to explore how we can enhance digital collaboration with the Free State Gambling Authority. We also plan to invest directly in technology, ensuring that our facilities are more accessible and user-friendly for citizens,” said Lebone.

The province launched its summer tourism campaign at the Gariep Dam Forever Resort last year. At the time, Makume encouraged Free State residents to explore the province’s largely untapped tourism potential and take greater pride in destinations and attractions closer to home.

The Black Mountain Festival is expected to build on these efforts by placing Thaba Nchu’s cultural heritage at the centre of tourism development while creating a platform for local entrepreneurs, artists and young people.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi dg

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